New forests and Kyoto Protocol carbon accounting: A case study in central Italy

摘要: Abstract Forest expansion into formerly agricultural land plays a relevant role for generating carbon sinks eligible under afforestation activities in the Kyoto Protocol (KP) accounting framework. This paper provides methodological framework multi-temporal assessment of accumulated these new forest stands, at reference years KP commitment periods: remote sensing analyses, integrating optical imagery and airborne laser scanning data with field survey, are combined simulation model CO2FIX to project changes. The approach is applied case study central Apennines (Italy) assess sink associated forests 2008, 2012 2020. based on cover change detection growing stock mapping, while analysis performed by means model. In considered test area, results highlight compound annual rate equal 0.26% period 1990–2012. overall stored stands 21.1 Mg ha−1 (relative standard error less than 10%) year 2012, projected reach 33.5 Mg ha−1