Forest Carbon Management
Increasing temperatures, an expanding human population, and increased cover of invasive shrubs and grasses, such as common gorse, fountain grass and guinea grass, all contribute to increased risk of wildfire in Hawai'i.
Warmer temperatures and decreased cloud cover in some areas are likely to result in greater evaporation rates, leading to reductions in water supply and increases in demand. Hawai'i has already experienced a trend toward increasing drought conditions during the winter rainy season. Decreased soil moisture increases plant stress, with impacts to agricultural and natural systems.
The report explores the baseline carbon levels, carbon storage, and future carbon fluxes in Hawaii.
Warmer oceans are leading to increased coral bleaching and disease outbreaks and changing distribution of tuna fisheries. Freshwater supplies will become more limited on many islands. Coastal flooding and erosion will increase. Mounting threats to food and water security, infrastructure, health, and safety are expected to lead to increasing human migration.
The study examines measured change in live and dead woody C pools from 8767 inventory plots on 9.1 million ha of Pacific Northwest National Forest lands to determine how the balance of tree growth, mortality, and dead wood decomposition varied by stand age, plant community type, and site productivity; and to compare the contribution of different tree sizes to C accumulation
In partnership with the University of Washington, our Forests & Ecosystem Services team recently published a new peer-reviewed study that analyzes the carbon storage potential of two key components of FSC management.
The scientists found that forested lands store carbon at a rate of 7 million metric tons per year. Although older forest stands and individual large trees store more carbon than younger trees, younger forests and small trees accumulate carbon at a faster rate per acre.
Changes in the timing of streamflow reduce water supplies for competing demands. Sea level rise, erosion, inundation, risks to infrastructure, and increasing ocean acidity pose major threats. Increasing wildfire, insect outbreaks, and tree diseases are causing widespread tree die-off.
The report explores the carbon sequestration options and policies in Colorado.
