(44) Tree planting and maintenance by Haitian farmers in response to four years of carbon payments

Deforestation has left Haiti with less than 2% of original subtropical forest. Due to the lack of alternative fuels and the need for immediate income, farmers clear land for subsistence agriculture and charcoal, leaving behind... [ view full abstract ]

Deforestation has left Haiti with less than 2% of original subtropical forest. Due to the lack of alternative fuels and the need for immediate income, farmers clear land for subsistence agriculture and charcoal, leaving behind nutrient-poor soils that exacerbate poverty and poor health. Zanmi Kafe is a program developed to implement a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program in Haiti with the idea that Sewanee students could offset some of their carbon footprint by investing in carbon sequestration activities, such as planting trees in Haiti. In 2005, the Green Fee was initiated with a proposal to allot $6 from student tuition to the Green Fund. This activity aimed to help fulfill Sewanee’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2030, according to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Part of the Green Fee is used to invest in carbon sequestration by Haitian farmers.  By paying Haitian farmers to sequester carbon in trees, Zanmi Kafe helps remove barriers to the establishment of more sustainable tree-based agricultural systems. Spring break outreach students, in collaboration with Haitian agronomy students, monitor progress towards that goal by conducting annual tree surveys on Haitian farms, the data from which are used to calculate carbon payments. Sewanee made its first carbon payments to 45 families in May 2015 and has continued to monitor trees and make payments over the last four years. This study presents the results of four years of tree survival and growth surveys and provides insight into the performance of the PES model of carbon payments to Haitian farmers. Survey results over the last three years demonstrate survival rates well over 100%, especially for shade tree species. Two of the species show very robust height and diameter growth, underscoring the effectiveness of trees for carbon sequestration.  The survival rate above 100% represents trees planted independently by farmers. This study demonstrates that small annual carbon payments and consistent monitoring have a positive impact on tree planting and maintenance in this Haitian community. Agroforestry, encouraged by PES, protects soils, improves water retention and nutrient cycling and improves long term sources of income.