Carbon storage in forests
Forests - a sink for carbon
Forests are dynamic, and as they grow, they absorb the gas carbon dioxide (CO2). Through the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb CO2 and convert it into plant matter, such as leaves and wood, and release oxygen (O2) into the atmosphere. At the same time that this is occurring, CO2 is also being released into the atmosphere through respiration from plants and animals and from the decomposition of litter and soil organic matter.
Vigorous growing forests absorb more CO2 through photosynthesis than is released through respiration, so a growing forest is a sink for carbon.
Managing harvesting and timber production
As trees mature and eventually die, the plant matter decomposes and is returned to the atmosphere; but if trees are harvested and turned into timber products, much of the carbon remains in storage in products such as floorboards or framing.
By ensuring adequate regeneration after harvesting, the carbon in these forests effectively remains in equilibrium: the CO2 absorbed by growing trees balances the amount removed through harvesting.
When you take into account the carbon that is stored in wood products made from forest trees, and the expansion of our plantations onto land previously used for agriculture, we are not just maintaining equilibrium - we are taking extra carbon out of the atmosphere and having a positive effect on climate change (see Carbon accounting and trading).