Carbon sequestration and its impacts on forest management. Forests offer some potential to be managed as a sink, that is, to promote net carbon sequestration. It then becomes deposited in forest biomass that is, trunks, branches, roots and leaves, in dead organic matter litter and dead wood and in soils. Phytoremediation is the use of vegetation for onsite treatment of contaminated soils, sediments, and water.
Carbon sequestration in forest soils has a potential to decrease the rate of enrichment of atmospheric concentration of co 2. It appears to be generally accepted that the weight of carbon is fifty percent of the plant biomass on a dry weight basis smith et al. An analysis of forestry carbon sequestration as a response to climate change acknowledgement. One type of sequestration is the longterm storage of carbon in trees. So there is a permanent or constant flux and interchange between atmosphere and the forest ecosystem. The role of forestry in carbon sequestration in general equilibrium models by brent sohngen1, alla golub2 and thomas w. Applying fertilizers to forests can significantly increase growth rates, if the nutrient being applied nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, etc. The protocol made provision for the use of carbon sequestration by forests as a means to achieve compliance with overall ghg emission reduction. Pdf agroforestry as a strategy for carbon sequestration. Hawaiis forests have changed dramatically from the time the first polynesians migrated to these islands in 400 ad to the present. Carbon sequestration is the capture and secure storage of. Although carbon stored in forests constitutes approximately 68 percent of us terrestrial carbon stocks liu. A number of alternative approaches to utilizing forestry and forest management for carbon sequestration are examined.
Forest soils and carbon sequestration sciencedirect. An analysis using uk examples article pdf available in tree physiology 111. The potential contributions from forests, forest products and other lowtech strategies are less frequently discussed. Carbon sequestration through forests has been an important issue as global warming becomes more apparent in recent years. For the contribution history and old versions of the redirected page, please see. Estimation of eucalyptus forest plantations carbon. The overall carbon balance of canadas forests is equal to the net primary productivity of all forests npp carbon uptake due to photosynthesis carbon loss due to plant and soil respiration minus the loss of carbon due to disturbances such as fire and insects. Pdf carbon sequestration in the trees, products and. The present concentration of carbon dioxide co 2 in the atmosphere is higher than in the past 420,000 years or maybe even in the past 20 million years, and it continues to rise.
Using markets for woody biomass energy to sequester. Fertilizing forest stands is another practice to increase tree growth. A landowners guide to carbon sequestration credits in association with the commonwealth project. Carbon sequestration, and the extent to which it can be counted as a reduction in a nations carbon. Feb 26, 2016 discussions about limiting anthropogenic emissions of co 2 often focus on transition to renewable energy sources and on carbon capture and storage ccs of co 2. The potential for carbon sequestration in the united states. Harmonized methods for assessing carbon sequestration in. International agreements to regulate carbon emissions such as the kyoto protocol recognise the importance of forests as carbon sinks. Carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Request pdf carbon sequestration in forests and soils forests can play a large role in climate change through the sequestration or emission of carbon. This process of carbon absorption and deposition is known as carbon sequestration. Combining actions designed to reduce emissions from mortality and wildfire through the practice of climate adaptation with management actions designed to increase the rate of carbon sequestration.
So our main concentration on carbon sequestration is the trees. The purpose of the ccx is to purchase carbon sequestration credits from landowners who have implemented carbon sequestering practices on their lands, and in turn sell those credits to carbon emitting companies and industries, thereby reducing their net carbon emissions. Carbon sequestration in forest based building products summary notes introduction reducing greenhouse gas ghg emissions associated with the built environment is now a major issue in efforts to alleviate the impacts of climate change. Carbon storage and sequestration by trees in urban and community areas of the united states david j. Carbon sequestration and its impacts on forest management in. For example, in new zealand, shelterbelts planting was also focused on timber production 21. Wood products are considered to contribute to the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions. Forest products and carbon sequestration overview the history of forest product utilization in hawaii is diverse and unique. Tropical climates support greatly the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and documented at an average of 50 pounds of carbon dioxide per tree per year. Quantifying the benefits of c storage and sequestration by urban forests may help the decisionmakers and the public better understand the role of urban forests in reducing atmospheric co 2, and make better management plans mchale et al. It has long been known that approximately half the dry weight of trees is carbon. Perform analysis on the terrain for tree height delineation and canopy density. Accurate estimates of carbon in forests are crucial for forest carbon management, carbon credit trading, national reporting of greenhouse gas inventories to the united nations framework convention for climate change, calculating estimates for the montreal process criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, and registering. Discussions about limiting anthropogenic emissions of co 2 often focus on transition to renewable energy sources and on carbon capture and storage ccs of co 2.
I propose moving the contents of this page to a subcategory of carbon capture and storage as carbon sequestration is a component of the css process. It is provoking that not much research and investigation has been conducted on plant species especially in the tropical forests. Practices that sequester carbon in forest, grassland, and cropland. For instance, carbon sequestration rate will be low in forest stands growing on poor sites and in significantly under or overstocked condition. In conclusion, as the airs co2 content continues to rise, the ability of. Sustainable forestry practices can increase the ability of forests to sequester atmospheric carbon while enhancing other ecosystem services, such as improved soil and water quality. The native hawaiians inadvertently introduced the polynesian rat rattus exulans. Challenges and opportunities for carbon sequestration in grassland. Benefits of carbon storage and sequestration by urban forests. Forestry carbon sequestration project protocol forestry carbon sequestration projects the chicago climate exchange ccx forest carbon sequestration project protocol contains ccx requirements and guidelines for registering forest carbon offset and commercial forest projects. Lefsky department of forest sciences colorado state university ft. The problem is that we do not know what factors could have effects on carbon sequestration levels. It is also well known that along with the other rain forests of the pacific rim, california forests have the highest carbon densities of all us forests.
Carbon sequestration is the process by which carbon dioxide is absorbed during photosynthesis, and is stored as carbon in biomass trunks, branches, foliage, and roots. Forest carbon sequestration and avoided emissions 1 introduction canada is a country of forests. Monitoring forest carbon sequestration with remote sensing. The global potential for carbon capture and storage from forestry. We have the worlds largest intact forest area in our northern boreal and our temperate and mountain forests contain biodiversity, climate.
An analysis of forestry carbon sequestration as a response. Carbon sequestration or carbon dioxide removal cdr is the longterm removal, capture or sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow or reverse atmospheric co2 pollution and to mitigate or reverse global warming carbon dioxide co2 is. The potential role of forests and forestry in sequestrating carbon to reduce the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is now well recognized. The synthesis discusses the role of forests in carbon sequestration. The objective of our research is to extend current conservation applications of modern portfolio theory mpt to develop a framework for the costefficient budget distribution for a forest carbon. Carbon sequestration in forests congressional research service 14. The potential for carbon sequestration in the united states introduction and summary human activity emits roughly 32 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide co 2the primary greenhouse gas into the atmosphere each year. Forests and carbon storage climate change resource center. Carbon storage and sequestration by urban forests in shenyang. Tools for carbon inventory, management, and reporting. Targeting payments for forest carbon sequestration given. Sustainable forestry is positively contributing to carbon sequestration and is an important management tool is combating climate change. This article discusses issues related to carbon sequestration by forests and soils, with a view to the global. Hoehna, elizabeth lapointb ausda forest service, northern research station, syracuse, ny 210, usa b usda forest service, northern research station, durham, nh 03824, usa article info article history.
Most will argues that youngforest have higher sequestration rates than oldgrowth forests, however older forests already serve as large carbon sinks. The practitioners menu of adaptation strategies and approaches for forest carbon management was developed to provide a carbonmanagement resource for forest managers that includes an explicit integration of climatechange adaptation into broadtoprescriptive forest carbonmanagement actions. Congress may consider options to increase the carbon stored. Forests can play a role in carbon sequestration and mitigating co2 emissions. Integrated management of carbon sequestration and biomass. It is intended to provide a factual basis for interested people in the nefa region to discuss the carbon sequestration issue. To examine the potential for carbon sequestration in forests, this paper begins.
Carbon sequestration in forests congressional research service 2 for mitigating greenhouse gas emissionsand thus possible climate changeis to increase the amount of carbon stored in forests. Measurement guidelines for forest carbon sequestration were developed to. We estimated that of the areas regarded as suitable for largescale plantations, only about 345 million ha would actually be available for plantations and agroforestry for the sole purpose of sequestering carbon. Carbon sequestration and its impacts on forest management in the northeast developed for the north east state foresters association december 19, 2002 disclaimer. Globally as well as for some individual countries, it has been estimated that soc sequestration has the potential to mitigate 514% of total annual greenhouse gas emissions for the next 50. Carbon sequestration in forest based building products. Hoehna, elizabeth lapointb ausda forest service, northern research station, syracuse, ny 210, usa. Beets new zealand forest research institute, private bag 3020, rotorua, new zealand and j. Thus, rather than exerting a negative influence on forest carbon sequestration, if air temperatures rise in the future they will likely have a positive effect on carbon storage in forests and their associated soils. Carbon sequestration credits a landowners guide to carbon. Existing economic studies have focused on the impact of economic factors e. Carbon sequestration in agroforestry systems nair ramachandran p. Gains in forest carbon stocks through growth and sequestration will reach a maximum level over time, and are eventually offset by carbon losses through harvesting, thinning.
Coford connects note on climate change and irish forestry click here pdf 482kb. Sohngen would like to acknowledge as well the generous funding of the us environmental protection agency, climate change division, for develop. Tree planting for carbon sequestration congressional research service 4 to be profitable. Second, coupling the bioenergy power plant with carbon capture and storage ccs devices does not. Byrne 1 and kevin black2 introduction there is general consensus among the scientific community that increasing atmospheric levels of the socalled greenhouse gasesare causing climate change and are likely to continue doing so. Therefore, often rough estimates are used for this step to obtain total forestry carbon balances. Kyoto protocol reference manual on accounting of emissions and assigned. Like carbon sequestration in forests or agricultural land, sequestration in grassland. View carbon sequestration research papers on academia. Carbon sequestration in forests and harvested wood products. Carbon sequestration and its relationship to forest. Carbon sequestration in forests summary widespread concern about global climate change has led to agreements to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide co 2 and, under certain circumstances, to count additional carbon absorbed in soils and vegetation as part of the emissions reductions.
Increase in c stock of forest soils can be achieved through forest management including site preparation, fire management, afforestation, species managementselection, use of fertilizers and soil amendments. The contents of the carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems page were merged into carbon sequestration on 112012. Much attention is now being focused on agroforestry in north. Generally, the rate of carbon sequestration depends. Carbon sequestration or carbon dioxide removal cdr is the longterm removal, capture or sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow or reverse atmospheric co2 pollution and to mitigate or reverse global warming. The sink of carbon sequestration in forests and wood products helps to offset sources of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, such as deforestation, forest fires, and fossil fuel emissions. The global potential for carbon capture and storage from. Carbon storage and sequestration by trees in urban and. Agroforestry as a strategy for carbon sequestration article pdf available in journal of plant nutrition and soil science 1721. Theories have surfaced regarding different types of forests having different sequestration rates.
The business of carbon credit trading for forest landowners. A critical gap in the life cycle of wood products is to transfer the raw timber from the forest to the processing wood industry and, thus, the primary wood products. The is now convincing evidence that human activities are contributing to global warming by adding. Climate change impact and carbon sequestration in european forests. An analysis of forestry carbon sequestration as a response to. Worldwide, about 80 percent of those emissions come from the combustion of oil. Carbon storage and sequestration by urban forests in. Forest management for carbon sequestration and climate. Inventory integration reliably combine the soil grid with data on tree species. The business of carbon credit trading for forest landowners david mercker, extension specialist department of forestry, wildlife and fisheries this publication provides an overview of carbon sequestration and helps inform forest landowners about the business of carbon credit trading. In forest sites, carbon is stored as plant biomass living and dead or as soil carbon derived primarily from the decomposition of dead plant biomass. Forest management and carbon sequestration in wood products. Carbon sequestration removes carbon, in the form of co 2, either directly from the atmosphere or at the conclusion of combustion and industrial processes.
A practical guide to developing forest carbon offsets for. The carbonsequestration potential of a global afforestation. Carbon sequestration in the trees, products and soils of forest plantations. Turner michael guzy department of forest science oregon state university corvallis, oregon 973315752, usa michael a. Pass the terrain data to the arcgis server image extension for dissemination to a.
Carbon sequestration in forests and soils request pdf. Measurement guidelines for the sequestration of forest carbon. Thus, the profitability of afforestation for carbon offsets depends greatly on how efficient the particular lands are at sequestering carbon, as well as on carbon prices. Monitoring forest carbon sequestration with remote sensing and carbon cycle modeling david p. Carbon sequestration in forests and harvested wood. Forest carbon sequestration and avoided emissions 3 carbon balance. The role of forestry in carbon sequestration in general.
Pdf forests potentially contribute to global climate change through their influence on the global carbon c cycle. Soil organic carbon sequestration refers to the storage of carbon in soil and is being considered as a strategy for mitigating climate change. Interest in terrestrial carbon sequestration has increased in an effort to explore opportunities for climate change mitigation. Figure 1 the various mechanisms of understanding carbon sequestration in plant species, some basic student learning process identified in determining carbon sequestration capacity.
Growth rate, and hence carbon sequestration rate, is largely a function of tree species, stand age, site quality and stocking. Carbon sequestration is the extraction of the atmospheric carbon dioxide and its storage in terrestrial ecosystems for a very long period of time many thousands of years. First, the program generates carbon neutral energy that can substitute for fossil fuels. In forests, carbon is stored in numerous reservoirs, including living biomass e. The long term carbon capture forest are the one of the best carbon sequestration in long term wise or carbon dioxide co 2 capture from the atmosphere. Forests can play a large role in climate change through the sequestration or emission of carbon, an important. Pdf carbon sequestration in the trees, products and soils. We analyzed the changes in the carbon cycle that could be achieved with a global, largescale afforestation program that is economically, politically, and technically feasible. Carbon sequestration is the process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is taken up by trees, grasses, and other plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass trunks, branches, foliage, and roots and soils. Worldwide, about 80 percent of those emissions come from the combustion of. Pdf the carbon sequestration potential of forestry sector.
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