JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2022, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (6): 167-176.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202209008

Special Issue: 南京林业大学120周年校庆特刊

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Mechanisms and methods for augmenting carbon sink in forestry

ZOU Xiaoming1,2,*(), WANG Guobing1,3, GE Zhiwei1,3, XIE Youchao4, RUAN Honghua1,*(), WU Xiaoqiao4, YANG Yan4   

  1. 1. College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    2. Department of Environmental Science, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan PR 00936, USA
    2. Department of Environmental Science, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan PR 00936, USA
    3. Center for Carbon Balancing, Academy of Chinese Ecological Progress and Forestry Development Studies,Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    4. Forestry Bureau of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210036, China
  • Received:2022-09-04 Revised:2022-10-13 Online:2022-11-30 Published:2022-11-24
  • Contact: ZOU Xiaoming,RUAN Honghua E-mail:xzou2011@gmail.com;hhruan@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration is recognized as the major driver for global climate warming. Thus, reducing atmospheric CO2 is also recognized as the main remediation method for climate change. Forestry practices play an essential role in atmospheric CO2 sequestration and global environmental engineering. Forestry carbon sequestration includes forest carbon sequestration and forest product carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration in forests relies mainly on processes of ecosystem carbon balancing and forest product production, including photosynthesis and ecosystem net primary productivity, stabilization of soil organic carbon, and wood use efficiency and product lifespan. Forestry carbon sequestration can be achieved through (1) expanding forest areas with afforestation practices guided by the “matching trees with site or calcium” principle; (2) increasing forest net productivity with integrated forest management of water, nutrients, and pest or fire control; (3) enhancing the stabilization of soil organic carbon content by clay minerals; (4) promoting the use and improving the lifespan of forest products. At the global scale, an additional 1 Pg (C) of carbon can be sequestrated each year for 30 years by increasing forest area or net productivity by 3.4%, or by converting fuel wood to sawn wood or wood-based panels. Furthermore, reducing carbon loss from forest fire by a quarter or elevating soil organic carbon by 0.23% can also decrease carbon emissions by 1 Pg (C) each year. Carbon sequestration in forestry has great potential for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and mediating global climate warming.

Key words: carbon sink in forestry, carbon sink in forest, carbon sink in wood products, forest productivity, global climate change, soil organic carbon

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