Study highlights detrimental effect of rainforest conversion to rubber plantation on Soil-Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)

Posted 08 Nov 2024

2 min read

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)

Native of Amazon River basin and introduced to tropical Asia and Africa by colonial British Government.
Favourable Conditions: Grows in wide range of agro-climates and soil conditions with annual rainfall of about 200 cm.
Distribution of Rubber Production: South-east Asia accounts for 90% of the global rubber production with Thailand being the largest producer.
- India is the third largest producer of natural rubber with Kerala being largest producer state.