Forest carbon conservation and management: integration with sustainable forest management for multiple resource values and ecosystem services

Abstract

Forest carbon management is an important consideration in temperate forests as well as tropical and boreal forest biomes. It is estimated that US forests absorb 10-20 percent of total US carbon dioxide emissions, or more than 200 Tg C yr^-1. Recent research suggests that this net carbon sink is likely to decline over the next few decades, and that US forests could become a net carbon source unless decisive action is taken in the near term to alter this trajectory. This paper will summarize ongoing research to determine how carbon management can be made compatible with existing sustainable forest management programs, and how it may be possible to maintain or enhance the forest carbon sink through targeted management policies. Examples are drawn from private forests managed primarily for timber and other economic values, and from public forests in which management for specific forest uses, values, and services are mandated by law or policy.

Citation

Sample, Alan V.; Birdsey, Richard; Houghton, Richard A.; Swanston, Chris; Hollinger, David; Dockry, Mike; Bettinger, Pete. 2015. Forest carbon conservation and management: integration with sustainable forest management for multiple resource values and ecosystem services. Discussion paper, 2015 Pinchot Institute for Conservation. 23 p.