The Forest Research Institute, commissioned by the Directorate General of State Forests, has developed a ranking of additional activities aimed at increasing the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by forest ecosystems. In our natural conditions, various actions can be undertaken depending on the characteristics and state of the forest ecosystem.
Through the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide (referred to as the “gas of life”) and convert it into organic carbon, storing it in wood, litter, or enriching the soil. In this way, forest ecosystems contribute to reducing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.
The capacity of forests to absorb carbon dioxide and mitigate climate change depends on many factors, such as the age, species composition, and health of forest stands. External factors (biotic and abiotic) or human activities can either decrease or enhance these capabilities.
One component of the State Forests’ project titled “Carbon Forests” is the analysis of possibilities for certifying the additional amounts of carbon dioxide sequestered through precisely selected forest management techniques (e.g., underplanting, introducing additional seedlings, or afforestation).
As part of the research and analyses conducted on behalf of the Directorate General of State Forests, a ranking of additional forestry activities was developed, identifying those with the greatest impact on CO2 sequestration in forest ecosystems.
Through monitoring areas where additional activities were implemented, as well as reference areas (where standard forest management practices were carried out), it was possible to estimate the additional effect—i.e., the amount of carbon sequestered over a 30-year period as a result of changes in forest management approaches.
The analyses indicate that activities with the highest potential for increasing carbon accumulation include underplanting, the introduction of additional seedlings or the Sobański method, soil protection during management activities, and regeneration through natural seeding. High values were also observed in regeneration on open areas (e.g., barren lands or clearings) and afforestation (on non-forest areas), confirming the forest’s potential to sequester carbon and to introduce it into areas where it was previously absent.
The amount of carbon stored in the ecosystem will depend on various factors, both biotic and abiotic, as well as the forest management practices applied so far. The choice of optimal additional activities will largely depend on factors such as site type and site productivity (bonitation), which are closely linked to water availability.
For information on other research projects commissioned by the State Forests, visit: https://tbr.lasy.gov.pl/apex/f?p=102:1::::::
To learn more about the State Forests’ climate protection projects, visit: www.lasydlaklimatu.lasy.gov.pl
