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Old-growth forests as global carbon sinks

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastiaan Luyssaert

    (University of Antwerp
    College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5752, USA)

  • E. -Detlef Schulze

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry)

  • Annett Börner

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry)

  • Alexander Knohl

    (ETH Zürich, Institute of Plant Sciences)

  • Dominik Hessenmöller

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry)

  • Beverly E. Law

    (College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5752, USA)

  • Philippe Ciais

    (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, IPSL-LSCE, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, 91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France)

  • John Grace

    (School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Don't cut into old wood It has long been assumed that ageing forests cease to accumulate carbon, and become carbon neutral. They are therefore not recognized for 'forest credits' in treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol. Now an extensive literature and database search for forest carbon-flux estimates shows that the net carbon balance of ageing forests is usually positive. The findings suggest that old-growth forests can continue to accumulate carbon, and that they contribute at least 10% of global net ecosystem productivity. Much of this carbon, even soil carbon, will move back to the atmosphere if these forests are disturbed, so it would make sense for carbon accounting rules to give credit for leaving old forests intact.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastiaan Luyssaert & E. -Detlef Schulze & Annett Börner & Alexander Knohl & Dominik Hessenmöller & Beverly E. Law & Philippe Ciais & John Grace, 2008. "Old-growth forests as global carbon sinks," Nature, Nature, vol. 455(7210), pages 213-215, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:455:y:2008:i:7210:d:10.1038_nature07276
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07276
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