THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it discovered a carbon sink in Los Baños, Laguna with the potential to store 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
The 32-hectare site can store carbon dioxide “equivalent to the annual emissions of 2,000 cars,” the DENR said in a statement, citing the findings of its researchers.
It said the site contains 20 plant species, with the native B. Asiatica or botong tree having the best carbon sequestration potential.
Ecological researcher Jose Alan Castillo said this discovery had “immense ecological value” beyond its carbon capture potential, adding: “These large coastal vaults can serve as the first line of defense against storms and rising seas.”
Mr. Castillo added that the botong tree’s resilience makes it a strong candidate for future reforestation projects. — Andre Christopher H. Alampay