The effects of a thinning treatment on carbon stocks in a northern Arizona ponderosa pine forest

摘要: Abstract Vast areas of ponderosa pine (Pinus Dougl. ex Laws.) forest in the western United States have become unnaturally dense because relatively recent land management practices that include fire suppression and livestock grazing. In many areas, thinning treatments can re-establish natural ecological processes help restore ecosystem structure function. Precipitous global climate change has focused attention on carbon storage forests. An unintended consequence been increased stands. Thinning reduce standing stocks while releasing through combustion fuel logging machinery, burning slash, decay slash wood products. These reductions releases stored must be compared to risk catastrophic stand large quantities atmosphere more fully understand costs benefits – terms restoration strategies. This study examines effect a treatment stock forest. The total pre-treatment above-ground was 48,880 kg C ha−1 post-treatment had 36,420 kg C ha−1. trees across ranged from 28,560 67,560 kg C ha−1 11,970 55,510 kg C ha−1 post-treatment. 8240 kg C ha−1 removed site sold wholesale firewood market (plot values 4890 12,310 kg C ha−1), 91 kg C ha−1 released harvesting operations trucking, processing required 33 kg C ha−1. piled 4140 kg C ha−1 2920 6900 kg C ha−1). We estimated stand-replacing fire, treated would release 2410 kg C ha−1 less than untreated stand. However, resulted structural changes make likely support crown therefore avoid associated with fires, even under extreme conditions. On balance, 3114 kg C ha−1. If used longer-lasting products, could net order 3351 kg C ha−1.