Abstract
Humans are influencing the global carbon (C) cycle due to the combustion of fossil fuels and due to changes in land use management. These activities are fostering the manmade greenhouse effect and thus global climate change. Negative effects for life on earth are accounted for.Among others the international climate debate focused attention on forests and forestry, knowing about their considerable influence on global climate change. Whilst the global C budget is described fairly well, there is a lack of regional data describing the C reservoirs and flows in detail. This has to be constituted especially for forests in developing countries.This paper presents an investigation at regional scale of the C reservoirs in a South American forest ecosystem. The investigation puts emphasis on the area and stand volume estimation and the development of expansion and reduction factors. Vegetation types are classified and stratified, determining the corresponding areas and estimating the stand volume. Converting factors are developed to calculate C in branches and roots as a percentage of standing wood measured by inventories.
Highlights
The global carbon (C) budget includes the atmosphere, the terrestrial biosphere, and the oceans
The global C budget is described fairly well, there is a lack of regional data describing the C reservoirs and flows in detail[2,3,4]
This paper presents an investigation at regional scale of the C reservoirs in a South American forest ecosystem on which there is little information available
Summary
The global carbon (C) budget includes the atmosphere, the terrestrial biosphere (including soils), and the oceans. The largest C amounts of the terrestrial biosphere are stored in forests. About 80% of the C exchange between the atmosphere and the terrestrial biosphere are due to the buildup and decay of biomass in forests. Forests are the main component in the earths’ natural C cycle. Böswald et al.: Carbon Reservoirs in Nothofagus Forests. Mankind is influencing the global C cycle due to the combustion of fossil fuels and due to changes in land use management[1]. These activities are fostering the manmade greenhouse effect forcing global climate change.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
