What role do carbon credits play in forestry?

Carbon credits play a significant role in forestry by providing financial incentives for forest conservation and carbon sequestration efforts. When forests grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis, effectively acting as carbon sinks. Carbon credits are generated based on the amount of carbon dioxide captured and stored by forests.

These credits can then be sold or traded on carbon markets, providing revenue that can be reinvested into sustainable forestry practices, conservation projects, or reforestation programs. This financial mechanism encourages landowners and forestry practitioners to maintain and protect forested areas rather than converting them to other land uses that would release stored carbon into the atmosphere. By doing so, carbon credits not only assist in mitigating climate change but also support biodiversity and ecosystem health.

In contrast, the other options focus on activities related to forestry without addressing the specific role of carbon credits in promoting conservation and sustainability through financial mechanisms.