Carbon Sequestration Dynamics on Reclaimed Land: A Coupled Ecological-Economic Assessment in Indonesia

Abstract

Land degradation due to coal mining causes loss of vegetation and soil degradation, thus greatly reducing carbon stocks. This loss inhibits carbon sequestration and reduces organic carbon storage, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating greenhouse gas levels and climate change. Reclamation of post-mining land by replanting and soil improvement is essential to restore carbon stocks and mitigate the adverse impacts of coal mining on the environment. This study aims to analyze carbon stocks in post-mining land that has been reclaimed by PT Inti Bara Perdana. The study was conducted in January 2024 on the post-mining land of PT Inti Bara Perdana, Central Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province. This study uses a method of measuring the potential for vegetation carbon storage at several sampling points on post-mining reclamation land aged 4 years, 7 years, and 11 years. The research method used is to create a 20x20 m plot to measure tree biomass and wood necromass. Measurement of understory biomass and litter necromass using a 1x1 m sub-plot. The results of the study showed that carbon sequestration on post-coal mining land increases significantly with reclamation age, rising from 99.71 tons/ha at 4 years to 234.66 tons/ha at 11 years. Correspondingly, the economic valuation based on the carbon market grew from IDR 5.68 million/ha to IDR 13.38 million/ha. These findings highlight the effectiveness of long-term land reclamation in restoring ecosystem functions and contributing to climate change mitigation through carbon market integration. The study also provides valuable