Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Managed Forest Systems
Summary
Comprehensive accounting of greenhouse gas fluxes in managed US forest systems, covering carbon stocks, emissions, and removals across multiple forest management regimes.
Abstract
This chapter provides a comprehensive accounting of greenhouse gas sources and sinks in managed forest systems across the United States. We quantify carbon stocks, emissions, and removals across multiple forest management regimes, providing the data foundation for understanding forestry’s role in national greenhouse gas inventories.
Why It Matters
Accurate GHG accounting in forests is essential for:
- National greenhouse gas inventory reporting under international agreements
- Evaluating forest management strategies for climate mitigation
- Informing carbon market mechanisms and offset programs
- Supporting science-based climate policy decisions
Key Findings
- Managed forests in the US remain a significant net carbon sink
- Carbon flux varies substantially across management regimes and regions
- Disturbance events (fire, insects, harvest) create important temporal dynamics in carbon balance
- Comprehensive accounting requires integrating multiple data sources and measurement approaches
Citation
Murray, L. T., Woodall, C., Lister, A., Stockmann, K., Gu, H., Urbanski, S., Riley, K., & Mihiar, C. (2024). Quantifying greenhouse gas sources and sinks in managed forest systems. In: Hanson, W. L., Itle, C. & Edquist, K. (eds).