Modeling the Carbon Implications of Ecologically Based Forest Management
RC-2118
Objective
Forest carbon sequestration can be used to mitigate changing climatic conditions. However, sequestering carbon in forests carries a risk that disturbance will revert this carbon back to the atmosphere. In fire-prone forests, reversal risk can be mitigated using ecologically based silvicultural prescriptions.
The objective of this project is to develop a methodology for modeling forest carbon sinks and sources on Department of Defense (DoD) lands that can be used to quantify the carbon impacts of different forest management regimes, including those directed toward reducing fire emissions.
Technical Approach
This project will use an existing growth-and-yield model (Forest Vegetation Simulator) and a biogeochemical model (Biome-BGC) to quantify the impacts of a range of silvicultural systems on system-level and life-cycle carbon storage in forested DoD lands. Researchers will apply the methodology to ponderosa pine forest at Camp Navajo, Arizona, Douglas-fir forest at Fort Lewis, Washington, and longleaf pine forest at Fort Benning, Georgia, developing management scenarios that examine the impacts of different forestry practices on carbon sequestration over a wide range of forest types, life-cycle carbon management, and other ecosystem services.
Benefits
The resulting methodology can be used to quantify the influence of management practices on sources and sinks of carbon in forested systems. Researchers also will develop a range of treatment scenarios for three different DoD installations and use models to determine the contribution of these scenarios to each installation's carbon footprint. Additionally, they will use a carbon management life-cycle analysis to provide understanding of managing the reversal risk arising from wildfire. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2014)
Symposium & Workshop
FY 2013 New Start Project Selections
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Matthew Hurteau
School of Forest Resources, Pennsylvania State University
Phone: 814-865-7554
Program Manager
Resource Conservation and Climate Change
SERDP and ESTCP
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.