HOW MUCH IS THE CARBON SEQUESTRATION OF MACAUBA CULTIVATION IMPLEMENTED IN DEGRADED PASTURE AREAS IN BRAZIL WORTH?

Payment programs for ecosystem services and carbon capture mechanisms are tools to reduce the rate at which carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and mitigate its impacts. It is estimated that ecosystem services have a service supply of more than US$125 trillion per year globally. This work serves as a first step towards a path of development of macaúba as a source of income for farmers and companies, with a direct impact on carbon sequestration, and also on other ecosystem services. When evaluating degraded pasture areas with adaptability for the cultivation of this species, the values reach approximately 9 million hectares for areas of high adaptability and 30 million hectares for areas of medium adaptability. The InVEST model used pointed out that, through this methodology, there is a possibility of gains of €13,095 per hectare. Actions to encourage production and consolidate the production chains that use macaúba should then be evaluated.