Developing an understanding of Carbon Sequestration-Northeastern Woodlands

[Lew Ward]

Developing an Understanding of Carbon Sequestration-Northeastern Woodlands

It was suggested by Brett Chedzoy that I develop a blog on the issue of carbon sequestration as it applied to forests and forest management decisions. Much of the emerging forestry science on the subject is counter-intuitive and perhaps that is what leads to the confusion. The other confusing issues are  that carbon production/release, carbon sequestration, and climate change are political and economic issues. I will not be addressing those issues.

I will try to limit the scope to northern hardwood forests with occasional relevant material about northern coniferous forests. I will generally avoid the climate science dealing with global systems because of the abstract nature of the material because they are not necessarily relevant or applicable to our woodlots.

While the science is not completely understood,  there are studies showing that forests should be managed for health, sustainability, and resiliency in order to address the issue of efficient carbon sequestration. Several studies have shown that young actively growing forests sequester carbon more efficiently than older senescing forests or forests that are unmanaged.

Science based articles and reports will be presented with either a short commentary by myself or the article’s summary/abstract for more complex scientific papers.

This blog will provide a learning curve for me, a non-forester, but a trained pomologist who has worked in plant pathology, agroforestry, urban forestry, and an active MFO Volunteer and NYFOA member who owns a small woodlot.

Hopefully, the articles  I share will be found useful and help clarify the science.