Economic valuation of carbon sequestration in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) agroforestry systems in Junín, Peru

Real V.V.; Eckhardt K.I. · Revista Chapingo, Serie Ciencias Forestales y del Ambiente (2025) · DOI: 10.5154/r.rchscfa.2024.10.046

Resumen

Introduction. Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) agroforestry systems (AFS) are carbon sinks that can generate additional income for coffee producers. Objective. To compare carbon sequestration in coffee AFS compared with monocultures and to estimate the economic value of this environmental service. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in coffee AFS (15 plots) and monocultures (17 plots) in a montane forest in the province of Chanchamayo, Junín, Peru. Allometric equations were used to estimate aboveground biomass. Opportunity cost was used to calculate the economic value of the carbon stored in the AFS. Results. Coffee AFS store more carbon than monocultures (62.67 ± 63.6 Mg·ha-1 vs. 6.25 ± 7.33 Mg·ha-1, respectively; P < 0.05). Floristic diversity in the AFS had no significant impact on carbon storage; however, more diverse composition showed higher carbon contents. The average opportunity cost per ton of CO2 equivalent (tCO2eq) is 1 774.2 USD·ha-1·yr-1. If a payment of 20.83 USD and 89.45 USD per tCO2eq is implemented, farmers’ income from selling CO2eq could increase from 4 862.17 to 20 879.5 USD·ha-1·yr-1. Conclusions. Coffee AFS sequester 80 % more carbon than monocultures. Implementing payments for CO2eq capture would generate significant additional income for farmers, ranging from 3.6 to 16.9 times their current earnings. © (2025), (Revista Chapingo). All rights reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur