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Rising atmospheric CO 2 and carbon sequestration in forests
Author(s) -
Beedlow Peter A.,
Tingey David T.,
Phillips Donald L.,
Hogsett William E.,
Olszyk David M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/1540-9295(2004)002[0315:racacs]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - carbon sequestration , environmental science , biomass (ecology) , carbon cycle , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric carbon cycle , precipitation , carbon fibers , climate change , carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere , nutrient , carbon dioxide , environmental protection , ecology , ecosystem , geography , biology , meteorology , materials science , composite number , composite material
Rising CO 2 concentrations in the atmosphere could alter Earth's climate system, but it is thought that higher concentrations may improve plant growth through a process known as the “fertilization effect”. Forests are an important part of the planet's carbon cycle, and sequester a substantial amount of the CO 2 released into the atmosphere by human activities. Many people believe that the amount of carbon sequestered by forests will increase as CO 2 concentrations rise. However, an increasing body of research suggests that the fertilization effect is limited by nutrients and air pollution, in addition to the well documented limitations posed by temperature and precipitation. This review suggests that existing forests are not likely to increase sequestration as atmospheric CO 2 increases. It is imperative, therefore, that we manage forests to maximize carbon retention in above‐ and belowground biomass and conserve soil carbon.