Forests + Climate Change
By reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, well-managed forests can help address climate change.
As a tree grows, the carbon is stored in its leaves, twigs and solid woody stem, as well as in the soil around it. Trees use the carbon to produce sugars for tree growth then release oxygen back into the air. Growing trees add a new ring of wood to their circumference every year; this wood is about 50% carbon by weight. Without carbon dioxide, trees could not form the woody biomass that makes up their trunks and branches.If forests absorb and store carbon over an extended period of time, they are considered
carbon sinks.
Globally, we also have the capacity to increase the amount of carbon that forests store by reducing the amount of deforestation in developing countries, and by converting non-forested areas to forest.
Harvesting trees actually speeds up the forest's absorption of carbon, as long as the forest is promptly regenerated.
Carbon absorption slows down as trees mature, and eventually they release carbon when they die. If the trees are harvested before they burn or decay, the carbon is stored indefinitely in the wood products. Planting trees begins the cycle again.
When a tree is harvested, about half of the carbon stays in the forest and the rest is removed in the logs, which are converted into forest products. Some carbon is released when the forest soil is disturbed during harvesting, and the roots, branches and leaves left behind release carbon as they decompose - but the remainder remains sequestered in the wood, and safely out of the atmosphere.
Once the harvested area of forest is regenerated, either naturally or by planting seedlings, the forest once again begins to absorb and store carbon. This combination of harvest and re-growth, along with the benefit of wood products storing carbon for long periods of time, means that greenhouse gas emissions from harvesting practices are minimal.
Wood is the only major building material that’s renewable and sustainable over the long term. When you choose to use wood, you take a positive step for the health of the environment!
Learn more about forests
Trees absorb carbon dioxide
As a tree grows, the carbon is stored in its leaves, twigs and solid woody stem, as well as in the soil around it. Trees use the carbon to produce sugars for tree growth then release oxygen back into the air. Growing trees add a new ring of wood to their circumference every year; this wood is about 50% carbon by weight. Without carbon dioxide, trees could not form the woody biomass that makes up their trunks and branches.
Prompt regeneration of forests is the key to sustainability
Managed forests are efficient carbon sinks as long as they are regenerated, and Canadian law requires prompt reforestation after public lands are harvested. Half a billion seedlings are planted in Canadian forests each year, the key reason why the country has virtually no deforestation even after more than 100 years of forestry.Globally, we also have the capacity to increase the amount of carbon that forests store by reducing the amount of deforestation in developing countries, and by converting non-forested areas to forest.
Harvesting trees actually speeds up the forest's absorption of carbon, as long as the forest is promptly regenerated.
Carbon absorption slows down as trees mature, and eventually they release carbon when they die. If the trees are harvested before they burn or decay, the carbon is stored indefinitely in the wood products. Planting trees begins the cycle again.
Younger trees absorb carbon the fastest
Trees grow most vigourously in the early to middle years. Growth slows as they mature after 60 to 150 years. In unmanaged forests, old trees will eventually stop capturing new carbon, but will continue to store carbon until they start to decay or are burned in a forest fire. Depending on the forest type and the ratio of young to old trees, this could translate into a net release of carbon over time.When a tree is harvested, about half of the carbon stays in the forest and the rest is removed in the logs, which are converted into forest products. Some carbon is released when the forest soil is disturbed during harvesting, and the roots, branches and leaves left behind release carbon as they decompose - but the remainder remains sequestered in the wood, and safely out of the atmosphere.
Harvest and regrowth creates the ideal carbon storage system
Wood is the only major building material that’s renewable and sustainable over the long term. When you choose to use wood, you take a positive step for the health of the environment!
Learn more about forests
Did You Know?
Young, well managed forests sequester carbon more quickly and efficiently than old ones.
How Forests Can Combat Climate Change, Global Climate Change: Forestry Never Looked so Cool, California Forests, 2006 www.calforests.org
Related Information
Forests, Carbon, and Climate Change 2006 CORRIM www.corrim.org
Oregon Forests www.oregonforests.org
Global Climate Change:Forestry Never Looked so Cool
California Forests, 2006 www.calforests.org
Is Canada's Forest a Carbon Sink or Source?
Canadian Forest Service (CFS) NRC
Climate Change 2007:The Synthesis Report
Intergovernrnental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [Summary report for policy makers (SPM) 22 pages, full report 52 pages] www.ipcc.ch
From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007 Synthesis: Impacts, NRCan, www.adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca
