Methods for forest carbon pool measurement (original) (raw)

2014

Abstract

The greenhouse effect is undoubtedly one of the most difficult modern day environmental problems, and the biggest culprit for it, in terms of emitted quantities, is CO2 – carbon dioxide. Its current concentration is higher than ever in the history of Earth. Forests, as one of the carbon sinks (along with seas and soil) may play a decisive role in mitigation or reduction of emitted CO2. All living creatures on Earth are made up of a certain amount of carbon, and trees are the only ones who absorb it from the atmosphere, and build it in their biomass through the products of photosynthesis. Therefore, the first problem is how to determine the volume i.e. the biomass weight of a tree, a stand or an area, and then determine the percentage of carbon in wood mass. In this paper, the author provides an overview of available methods and procedures for assessments i.e. calculations of sequestered carbon and possibilities of carbon sequestration. However, assessments of greenhouse gases’ dynamics inevitably result in uncertainties due to various interpretations of carbon sources and outflow, assumptions, units or usage of simplified results with average values. In addition to that, ambiguities also arise from different or inadequately scientifically researched core processes leading to emission or removal of carbon. In order to encompass entire carbon cycle in a forest ecosystem it is necessary to include: bound carbon in the soil and circulation of carbon in soil; carbon depot in main forest semi-products and products as well as emissions originating from these products by decomposition or burning; emissions originating from forest utilisation operations and transport of wood mass. An attempt of harmonization of data from various parts of the world with the aim of creating a report that can be used to monitor carbon emission and drain on a global scale is presented in the handbook Good Practice Guidance on Land Use, Land Use Changes and Forestry (GPG LULUCF). This handbook was issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change founded in 1988 by the United Nations, World Meteorological Organisation and United Nations Environment Progamme (UNEP).

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