Carbon Sequestration Potential of Rubber Plantations as a Complementary Approach to Tropical Forest Conservation Strategies. A Review

Tropical forest ecosystems play a significant role in carbon storage and climate regulation. However, these ecosystems are threatened by deforestation through slash-and-burn agriculture, logging, and mining. Consequently, there is a pressing need to assess the carbon storage potential of tropical perennial plantations, particularly rubber plantations, as a sustainable alternative to deforestation and tropical forest degradation. This study utilizes a systematic review of the extant literature to assess the carbon sequestration potential of rubber plantations and to explore their viability as a complementary alternative to tropical forests in the context of climate change mitigation. The carbon stocks present in rubber plantations have been documented to range from 30 to over 100 tons of carbon per hectare in total dry weight. In comparison, dense tropical forests have been shown to store up to over 300 tons of carbon per hectare, placing rubber plantations in a competitive range, particularly when managed effectively. The potential for carbon sequestration varies considerably based on factors such as plantation age, tree density, environmental conditions, and land management practices, including crop rotation, tapping frequency, plantation maintenance, and biomass management. Optimizing plantation density and regulating water inputs to avoid excessive irrigation are among the management practices that have been shown to enhance carbon sequestration potential, maximize biomass storage, and preserve optimal physiological conditions for rubber trees. Notwithstanding their substantial carbon sequestration potential, rubber plantations are unable to fully compensate for the ecological functions and storage capacity of tropical forests. This limitation stems from their simplified structure and the reduction in biodiversity that is characteristic of monoculture. The findings of this study have the potential to inform the implementation of public policies that promote the adoption of rubber plantations in high-risk deforestation areas. These policies could be developed in conjunction with the development of sustainable management techniques, such as agroforestry, with the aim of maximizing carbon storage and biodiversity preservation. In this context, rubber plantations emerge as a complementary alternative to tropical forest conservation initiatives, offering an economically viable option while contributing significantly to carbon sequestration.