Last modified 11/09/2005
Eav, B., R.A. Birdsey, L.S. Heath. 2000.
The Kyoto Protocol and Forestry Practices in the United States. P. 566-576, In: Forests and Society: The Role of Research, Sub-plenary sessions, vol. 1,
Proceedings of the XXI IUFRO World Congress, 7-12 August 2000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:.
Forestry may play an important if not critical role in the ability of the U.S. to meet its greenhouse gas emissions target under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol. Given the low rate of change in the U.S. forest land area, the major anthropogenic influences on the current net forest carbon flux are forest management and protection activities that have resulted in continuing increases in forest carbon storage. Natural disturbances such as fire, insects, and diseases are locally important factors, but when all U.S. forests are considered, they are small relative to the effects of harvesting and growth. Carbon in U.S. forest ecosystems, wood products, and landfull wood was estimated to account for an annual net sequestration of about 300 TgC/yr during the 1980's, and are projected to comprise at least 200 TgC/yr over the next several decades. Proposed accounting rules under the Kyoto Protocol article 3.3 may render most of this C sequestration unaccountable towards the U.S. emission reduction target unless additional activities are accepted under article 3.4. Forestry practices that are likely to result in a positive C sequestration in the U.S. include afforestation of marginal cropland and pasture, improved forest management, adjustments in harvest timing, establishment of short-rotation biomass plantations, improved utilization of harvested biomass, and tree planting in urban and suburban areas
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