According to the study, conversion of erstwhile rainforests into rubber plantations is detrimental to global carbon cycling and climate change.
- It removes 50% of sequestered carbon from the soil and add it into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases.
- Loss of carbon from soil is concerning as soil globally stores 1,500 Pg (Petagram) of organic carbon, well above the stock in atmosphere and vegetation combined.
- It significantly increased soil DOC (accounts for 1% of Soil Organic Carbon) levels by 150–200%.
- Soil DOC, being one of the most mobile organic matter in terrestrial ecosystem, plays vital role in soil formation processes and global carbon cycling.
Other Environmental Impacts of Rubber Plantation
- Biodiversity Loss: Shift to rubber monoculture leads to loss of biodiversity and weaker land resilience.
- In Thailand, at least 60% biodiversity reduction found in rubber plantations.
- Deforestation: More than 4 million hectares of tropical forests have been lost to rubber plantations in south-east Asia over last three decades.
- Water Scarcity: Require more water thus increasing evapotranspiration, reducing surface water run-off and water yield.
- Pollution: Water and soil pollution due to rubber processing wastage.
About Natural Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)
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