Carbon sequestration in wood and paper products

Abstract

Recognition that increasing levels of CO² in the atmosphere will affect the global climate has spurred research into reduction global carbon emissions and increasing carbon sequestration. The main nonhuman sources of atmospheric CO² are animal respiration and decay of biomass. However, increases in atmospheric levels are attributed mainly to fossil fuel burning and land use change. While efforts to hold down emissions of CO² continue, increases in CO² emissions can also be offset, to a degree, by accumulation in carbon sinks such as plant biomass and oceans. It is therefore prudent to focus research efforts both on increasing carbon in sinks and reducing carbon emissions.

Parent Publication

• The impact of climate change on America's forests

Citation

Skog, Kenneth E.; Nicholson, Geraldine A. 2000. Carbon sequestration in wood and paper products. In: Joyce, Linda A.; Birdsey, Richard, technical editors. 2000. The impact of climate change on America''s forests: a technical document supporting the 2000 USDA Forest Service RPA Assessment. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-59. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 79-88