Carbon carrying capacity in primary forests shows potential for mitigation achieving the European Green Deal 2030 target

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: May 14, 2024

Abstract Carbon accounting in the land sector requires a reference level from which to calculate past losses of carbon and potential for gains using stock-based target. carrying capacity represented by stock primary forests is an ecologically-based that allows estimation mitigation derived protecting restoring increase their stocks. Here we measured collated tree inventory data at forest sites including research studies, literature inventories (7982 sites, 288,262 trees, 27 countries) across boreal, temperate, subtropical Global Ecological Zones within Europe. We calculated total biomass per hectare (above- below-ground, dead biomass) found it was 1.6 times larger on average than modelled global maps 2.3 all forests. Large trees (diameter greater 60 cm) accounted 50% are important reservoirs. foregone harvesting 12–52% demonstrated potential. Estimated gain protecting, ongoing growth existing equated 309 megatons dioxide equivalents year, additional to, higher than, current sink, comparable Green Deal 2030 target removals.

Language: Английский

Stand Structure Beats Age for Ground Cover Vegetation in Ageing Hemiboreal Scots Pine and Norway Spruce Stands

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(9), P. 7594 - 7594

Published: May 5, 2023

Intensifying forest management and a reduction in the rotation period necessitates development of intensive biodiversity conservation strategies, such as triad concept, which aims at ensuring habitat connectivity. Such an approach depends on relationships between components manageable stand characteristics. Mostly, biological value stands has been associated with age, although structures, are often intercorrelated might be primary importance. The ground cover vegetation, is principal component indicator temperate conifer forests, characteristics were assessed pre-harvesting/harvesting age old-growth coniferous eastern Baltic region (Latvia). nearly two times older than stands. Both groups showed generally similar flora, though vegetation higher variability gradients related to light, site fertility, structural diversity, well degree deciduous (particularly Betula spp.) admixture tree stand. Considering explicit contrasts, did not affect implying effects structure, This implies potential for specific aid ecological connectivity commercial landscapes.

Language: Английский

A Comparative Study of Stem Rot Severity in Mature Deciduous Trees in Latvia

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(1), P. 144 - 144

Published: Dec. 22, 2023

Efforts to enhance carbon storage in forest ecosystems through policy and management decisions rely on accurate biomass assessments. However, most inventories consider tree mortality the only form of aboveground loss, overlooking other important factors, such as wood decay living trees. In this study, using linear mixed-effects models, we delve into sustainability mature over-mature deciduous forests Latvia by conducting a comprehensive analysis stem rot severity, identifying species for which impact their stock reduction was significant. The focused determining proportion discolored wood, decomposed hollow spaces within stems 190 trees commonly found hemiboreal forests. study reveals greater extent more extensive Populus tremula than Betula spp., Alnus glutinosa, incana. It emphasizes influence species, age, diameter at breast height proportions. stump area significantly predicts amount stem. provides valuable insights sustainable forestry practices highlights challenges estimating emphasizing need diagnostic methods.

Language: Английский