Production, Carbon and Economical Profitability of Pinus elliottii and Eucalyptus grandis in Silvipastoris System in South Brazil

Abstract

This work objective was to estimate wood production, CO2 stocks and economical profitability, including carbon credits sale from pasture  associated eucalyptus and pine plantations. For each species, two experimental plots were used, all installed at natural pasture land in  Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul State. Experimental plots were submitted  to three treatments: two of them with silvipasture systems at triple tree lines, with both species at 3.0 m x 1.5 m intervals, the first of which with a 14 m corridor (between triple lines) for animal feeding and, the second with a 34 m corridor; the third treatment consisted of isolated cultivation of both tree species, with 3.0 x 3.0 m intervals. Thinning and 21 years final cutting were simulated for all treatments. Trees showed positive economical returns at all tested systems, with profitability after the 7 years thinning operation. Carbon credits sales can turn the forest component attractiveness up, especially when the income generated is considered since the project start.