Ian Thompson
Canadian Forest ServiceandVisiting Scientist, Forestry andForest Products Research Institute criteria emphasized will differ slightly depending intype of project: Reduce emissions from deforestation and forestdegradation
 Conservation of carbon stocks
 Sustainable forest management
 Enhancement of carbon stocks

Need to understand the basic premise formaintaining biodiversity is not preservation, but isecosystem functioninglanguage of UNFCCC says is a “co-benefit”

more properly, carbon is a ‘co-benefit’ frombiodiversity

biodiversity supports ecosystem functioningclear relationship between species richness andproductivity in ecosystems, anda clear relationship between biodiversity and many
ecosystem services, including resiliencecomplementarity – use multiple resources efficientlyfacilitation – species may enhance another species
performancesampling effect or higher diversity = higher probability ofhighly functioning speciesco-evolution – direct requirement of one species foranother (pollination, seed dispersal, growth, etc.)

establishment of complex communities increases
resilience and resistance (redundancy)

Tipping points exist where the ecosystem loses
resilience and a new state results

Amazon wet forest drying to savannah

Impact of drivers:
H = logging/clearing= over-exploitation
P = pollution

Source: CBD, GBO3

C = climate changes O
I = invasive spp.

Ecosystem service

Strength of linkage
to biodiversity

Pollination
Decomposition

Quality of evidence

HighHigh

Carbon sequestration

HighHigh

High

High

Carbon storage

Mixed

High

Erosion control

Low

High

Pest control

HighHigh

Seed dispersal

High
to none (wind)High

Water quality

Low

Poor

Water quantity

Medium to highPoor

So, we could grow trees and store carbon….

Or, we could foster and maintain forest ecosystems with multiple
ecosystem services… and store even more carbon



biodiversity has scales genes, species, ecosystems, landscapes diversity occurs at each of these scales

sustainable use maintain ecosystem resilience measure pressure, state, and response maximise carbon in the system meeting Aichi Targets
 meet national biodiversity objectives (NBSAPs)
 including objectives for endangered speciesconcern from recipient countries is thatbiodiversity monitoring for indicators will be too
demanding Capacity Time Costneed to ensure that biodiversity is supported
without excessive demand on projects

has the biodiversity we are aiming for been
maintained, supported, or recovered?

are the desired ecosystem services related tobiodiversity sustained?

are the key functional species maintained?



where are tipping points and what are sustainableproduction levels?

are associated biodiversity benefits achieved(economic, cultural)?



conservation of key speciesconservation/improvement of ecosystems, andlandscapesecosystem functionpressures alleviated

desired services sustained

benefits derived

policies in place

What are the most effective REDD+ investments if
biodiversity and carbon are co-objectives?
In rank order:
1. Conserve primary forest (reducedeforestation)
2. Reduce degradation of managed forests (i.e.,Sustainable Forest Management)
3. Reforestation and afforestation on deforestedlands
4. Many others: improved agriculture, intensive
agriculture, controlling fire, etc.

Source: IUFRO 2012, World
Series No. 31