Motivated by the strategic goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the carbon sink function of forest ecosystems has been transitioned from a conventional ecological service to a cornerstone of national climate governance. However, an adaptive forest management system capable of effectively addressing climate change challenge remains under developed. To tackle widespread cognitive misconceptions and practical challenges in forest carbon sink management, this study introduces a framework defining four core characteristics of forest carbon sinks: integrity, saturation, fluctuation and persistence. This framework clarifies the key ecological mechanisms that constrain forest carbon sink functionality. Specifically, integrity reveals the profound reliance of forest carbon sinks on ecosystem integrity; saturation characterizes the physical capacity limits of both biotic and abiotic carbon pools; fluctuation highlights the high sensitivity and risks of carbon sink stability under various disturbances; and persistence defines the critical time scale for which carbon sequestration must be maintained to align with carbon neutrality targets. Based on this framework, the study constructs a comprehensive adaptive forest management strategy system. Key strategies include: (1) conserving ecosystem the integrity and optimizing stand structures; (2) enhancing carbon sink capacity and threshold-based response regulation; (3) preventing carbon sink risks and strengthening system resilience; (4) safeguarding the long-term carbon sequestration through the full-cycle management. Our findings emphasize the urgent need to develop precision regulation technologies that address these inherent carbon sink constraints. Such a technological advances are essential for enhancing the stability and effectiveness of forest carbon sinks in supporting the carbon neutrality process.