Forest Carbon and Multi-Use Forest Management

Forest Carbon and Multi-Use Forest Management
The influence of active forest management on forest carbon is little known for mature oak forests. This webinar will provide an overview of concepts related to forest carbon sequestration and storage in the context of multiple-use forestry. These are concepts that forest managers and woodland owners should consider when including carbon as an objective in management. Further, as a specific example from southern New England, three study areas each with six forest management practices were established in Connecticut in the early 1980s: uncut forest preserves, silvicultural clearcutting, shelterwood with final overstory removal, multi-aged crop tree, diameter limit, and high-grading. This study found that active management practices can provide valuable forest products while maintaining or increasing carbon sequestration. Management also provides the opportunity to create climate resilient forests with enhanced wildlife habitat.
Presented Live on February 15, 2022. Presenters: Joseph Orefice, Yale School of the Environment-The Forest School and Jeffrey S. Ward, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

[@johngrasing1715]

Thank you!

[@russellbarnes9190]

The idea of cutting trees and then putting the logs into water storage has some merit if used as a PART of the sequestration solution. Take for example Jeff’s diameter limit plot and the high grade plot. He said that it would be 40 years before the next commercial harvest. Then what? Wait another sixty years while a genetically inferior commercial harvest grows? How about this instead? Wait for then next harvest and do a silvicultural clear cut. Then take the non sawlog portion (it will be high) and water store them. Minimum “water log” 8’ 8” tip. The rest stays on site, no chipping. When the crown ratio of the regeneration drops to 50% begin crop tree selection and PCT.
Jeff’s data on carbon recovery in the silvicultural clear cut was interesting.
The accounting of the carbon credits for the water storage should be easy as the volume of sequestered carbon can be verifiably measured.
I think water storage deserves some more thought and just not dismissed out of hand.