Complex forest dynamics indicate potential for slowing carbon accumulation in the southeastern United States.

ABSTRACT: Over the past century forest regrowth in Europe and North America expanded forest carbon (C) sinks and offset C emissions but future C accumulation is uncertain. Policy makers need insights into forest C dynamics as they anticipate emissions futures and goals. We used land use and forest inventory data to estimate how forest C dynamics have changed in the southeastern United States and attribute changes to land use, management, and disturbance causes. From 2007-2012, forests yielded a net sink of C because of net land use change (+6.48?Tg C yr(-1)) and net biomass accumulation (+75.4?Tg C yr(-1)). Forests disturbed by weather, insect/disease, and fire show dampened yet positive forest C changes (+1.56, +1.4, +5.48?Tg C yr(-1), respectively). Forest cutting caused net decreases in C (-76.7?Tg C yr(-1)) but was offset by forest growth (+143.77?Tg C yr(-1)). Forest growth rates depend on age or stage of development and projected C stock changes indicate a gradual slowing of carbon accumulation with anticipated forest aging (a reduction of 9.5% over the next five years). Additionally, small shifts in land use transitions consistent with economic futures resulted in a 40.6% decrease in C accumulation.

SUBMITTER: Coulston JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4303866 | biostudies-other | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other