Daemeter conducted a study to evaluate the effect on carbon stocks associated with conversion of a landscape of grassland and scrub to oil palm in PT Surya Sawit Sejati. The study was commissioned by United Plantations as part of the efforts to meet RSPO’s requirements for new plantings that take place after 1 August 2014. 

 

This land use change study took into account the whole landscape of the plantation, not only the area to be planted with oil palm but also the conservation areas that must be managed in conjunction with the planted crop. It involved the development of a land cover map and in-field verification of this map as well as measurement of samples in the forested areas. 

 

Associated with this study was an assessment of the threats to carbon stocks such as fire or encroachment in the conservation areas. After the assessment, Daemeter and the oil palm company developed plans to manage and mitigate these threats to carbon stocks.