MODELING ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN SELECTED FOREST TYPES

Ten selected forest types were examined (1) to assess the carbon sequestering potential of those forest types that are most likely to be successful in sequestering atmospheric carbon, (2) to show the relevance of varying carbon sequestering criteria, and (3) to present a method as a possible standard for carbon sequestering assessments. The carbon sequestering potential of the forest, forest soils, and forest products was quantified with the dynamic model CO2FIX. Two main criteria for evaluation of the carbon sequestering capacity were used: (1) the long-term average stock of carbon in the forest biomass and wood products and (2) the average net annual carbon storage flux during the first rotation. It was found that selectively logged evergreen rain forests may contain the largest long-term average stock of carbon in the biomass and products, with 207 Mg C . ha(-1). The highest net annual carbon fixation in the first rotation was achieved with Pinus radiata D. Don in Brazil, with a storage rate of 5.3 Mg C . ha(-1). year(-1) on fertile sites. These values can be regarded as maximum boundaries for carbon sequestration. Evaluation of carbon sequestration in forests should always be carried out with a set of varying carbon sequestering criteria. Such an evaluation should also take into account socioeconomic and ecological criteria. It remains a political issue which criterion prevails over the other. A study to improve the model by linking it to forest type area tables is in preparation. It will then be possible to present projections of carbon sequestration for a region or country.