Carbon storage and carbon-to-organic matter relationships of three forested ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains

Abstract

Fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide is influenced by carbon storage and cycling in terrestrial forest ecosystems. Currently, only gross estimates are available for carbon content of these ecosystems and reliable estimates are lacking for Rocky Mountain forests. To improve carbon storage estimates more information is needed on the relationship between carbon and organic matter, carbon concentrations of forest components, and how carbon storage varies among vegetation types. Therefore, this study used four different vegetation types (habitat types) to supply a portion of this information. In the Northern Rocky Mountains a subalpine fir and western hemlock were chosen, and two ponderosa pine habitat types in the Southern Rocky Mountains.

Citation

Jain, Theresa B. 1994. Carbon storage and carbon-to-organic matter relationships of three forested ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho, College of Forestry. 74 p. Thesis.