· Study by the University of Freiburg shows high economic costs of climate effects on tropical forests in Central America
· Forest scientists calculate economic losses of up to $314 billion per year by the end of the 21st century
· Costs due to reduced climate regulation of the forests, but above all due to reduced provision of habitat for animals and plants
Newswise —
A study conducted by forest scientists from Freiburg and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre in Frankfurt a. M. has revealed that climate change can significantly impact the ecosystem services provided by tropical forests in Central America, with potential economic costs. The study found that climate change could result in a reduction in the services of climate regulation and provision of habitat in 24 to 62 percent of the study area, depending on the scenario. This could lead to associated economic costs ranging from 51 to 314 billion dollars per year by the end of the 21st century. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications [5].
The study highlights the global relevance of tropical forests, which provide crucial ecosystem services such as climate regulation and habitat provision for biodiversity. However, the impacts of climate change can impair these services, with serious economic consequences. The study underscores the need to consider the economic costs associated with climate change-induced impacts on tropical forests in Central America, and the urgency of addressing climate change to mitigate these potential losses in ecosystem services and associated economic costs. Further research and conservation efforts are necessary to better understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on tropical forests and their invaluable ecosystem services.
Global biodiversity hotspots
Lukas Baumbach, one of the researchers involved in the study, highlighted the importance of tropical forests in Central America as carbon sinks and habitats for biodiversity. These forests play a crucial role in climate regulation by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and they are also known as global biodiversity hotspots due to their high species richness. However, there has been a lack of analysis on how climate change may affect these ecosystem services and the associated economic impacts on Central America's forest ecosystems [5].
This research helps fill this knowledge gap by providing insights into the potential impacts of climate change on the services provided by tropical forests in Central America. The findings highlight the need to consider the economic costs associated with the potential reduction in climate regulation and habitat provision due to climate change. This information can inform policy and conservation efforts aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change on tropical forests, protecting their invaluable ecosystem services, and conserving their rich biodiversity.
Yes, according to the study conducted by the scientists, the decline of ecosystem services in Central America's tropical forests, specifically in tropical dry forests and montane rainforests, is particularly pronounced due to climate effects. The economic losses associated with these changes can be high, especially in countries with low gross domestic product (GDP), reaching up to 335 percent of the GDP. Notably, in most scenarios, the costs of reduced habitat provision were found to exceed the costs of reduced carbon storage or climate regulation [5]. This suggests that the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and habitat provision may have more significant economic consequences compared to the impacts on carbon storage or climate regulation services.
This finding underscores the importance of considering the multiple dimensions of ecosystem services, including habitat provision, when evaluating the economic impacts of climate change on tropical forests. It highlights the need for integrated approaches that account for the diverse values and functions of tropical forests in economic assessments, policy-making, and conservation efforts. Conservation strategies that prioritize the protection of biodiversity and habitat provision, particularly in vulnerable countries with limited economic resources, may be crucial for mitigating the economic losses associated with climate-induced changes in ecosystem services in Central America's tropical forests.
First assessment of economic impact
Indeed, the study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach when assessing the economic impacts of climate change on tropical forests in Central America. While carbon regulation has often been the main focus due to the economic value associated with carbon markets, the study emphasizes the economic relevance of other ecosystem services provided by tropical forests beyond carbon storage and climate regulation. The findings suggest that there should be a broader recognition and consideration of the multiple services provided by tropical forests, including habitat provision, biodiversity conservation, and other ecosystem functions.
By shedding light on the economic significance of other ecosystem services, the study underscores the need to take a holistic approach in evaluating the impacts of climate change on tropical forests. This includes considering the diverse values and functions of tropical forests beyond their role as carbon sinks, and recognizing the economic costs associated with changes in habitat provision and biodiversity conservation. Integrating this broader understanding of ecosystem services into economic assessments, policy-making, and conservation efforts can help ensure that the full range of benefits provided by tropical forests is considered and appropriately accounted for in decision-making processes.
The study's findings highlight the importance of adopting a more comprehensive approach that recognizes and values the multiple ecosystem services provided by tropical forests, beyond just climate regulation, in order to better understand and address the economic impacts of climate change on these valuable ecosystems.
Factual overview:
Original publication: Baumbach, L., Hickler, T., Yousefpour, R., Hanewinkel, M.: High economic costs of reduced carbon sinks and declining biome stability in Central American forests. Nat Commun 14, 2043 (2023). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37796-z
Marc Hanewinkel is Professor of Forest Economics and Forest Planning at the University of Freiburg. Lukas Baumbach is a Research Assistant, and Rasoul Yousefpour is a Assistant Professor at the professorship. Thomas Hickler leads the research group 'Biogeography and Ecosystem Ecology' at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre Frankfurt and is Professor for Quantitative Biogeography at the Goethe-University Frankfurt.
The research work was funded by the German Research foundation DFG (project 416575874).
RSS