Forest carbon sequestration and harvests in Scots pine stand under different climate and nitrogen deposition scenarios

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2002-03, Vol.158 (1), p.103-115
• Main Authors: Pussinen, Ari, Karjalainen, Timo, Mäkipää, Raisa, Valsta, Lauri, Kellomäki, Seppo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Boreal forests; carbon sequestration; Carbon stock; Climate change; Forest management; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General forest ecology; Generalities. Production, biomass. Quality of wood and forest products. General forest ecology; harvesting; Pinus sylvestris; Scots pine; Soil expectation value
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-1127(00)00675-7

In this study, effects of altered rotation length, nitrogen deposition and changing climate on harvest removal and carbon sequestration of forest, as well as on economic profitability of forestry, were assessed. This study was based on simulations with a gap-type forest succession model in the conditions that represent Scots pine stands in southern Finland. Both warmer climatic conditions and increased nitrogen deposition enhanced forest productivity and timber yield. This also shortened the optimum rotations based on mean annual yield and soil expectation value. The highest carbon stock in forests, i.e. the highest mean annual carbon stock in the forest over a rotation period, was achieved with long rotations and higher nitrogen deposition. However, a warmer climate had an opposite effect on the forest carbon stock, because enhanced decomposition of soil organic matter resulted in a lower carbon stock in the forest soil.