Land carbon sequestration within the conterminous United States: Regional- and state-level analyses

摘要: A quantitative understanding of the rate at which land ecosystems are sequestering or losing carbon national-, regional-, and state-level scales is needed to develop policies mitigate climate change. In this study, a new improved historical use cover change data set developed combined with process-based ecosystem model estimate sources sinks in conterminous United States for contemporary period 2001–2005 over last three centuries. We that sequestered 323 Tg C yr−1 beginning 21st century forests accounting 97% sink. This sink varied substantially across States, largest occurring Southeast. Land large enough completely compensate fossil fuel emissions Maine Mississippi, but nationally, only 20% U.S. emissions. find regions currently (e.g., Southeast) tend have been longer period. Both history fate harvested products can be important determining region's overall impact on atmospheric budget. While there numerous options reducing fuels increase efficiency displacement by renewable resources), management opportunities need explored. Opportunities include reforestation managing forest age structure. These will vary from state time States.