Evaluation of projected carbon accumulation after implementing different forest management treatments in mixed-species stands in northern Maine

Abstract

Comparing forest and harvested wood product carbon (C) stocks and accumulation among forest management treatments commonly applied in managed forests is needed to inform planning and policy decisions for C objectives. Therefore, pre- and post-harvest C stocks were quantified and C accumulation was projected over a 31-year period (to ∼2050) among forest management treatments that were applied on a subset (n = 3) of the Maine Adaptive Silviculture Network installations in northern Maine, USA. These installations included mature, second-growth forests composed of northern hardwood and hardwood-dominated mixedwood stands. Before treatments were initiated, average aboveground live tree C stocks ranged from 67.1 to 99.7 Mg ha−1. For the aboveground portions of live trees, dead wood and harvested wood products, the projected average annual net change in C (AAC) was 0.232 ± 1.164 Mg ha−1 year−1 (mean ± standard deviation). Models of projected AAC indicated that less biomass removal during harvests and greater representation of tree species with low tolerance of shade were associated with positive AAC values. The results emphasize the importance of leveraging multiple harvesting strategies to achieve C objectives, including consideration of forest reserves and using targeted yet operationally feasible silvicultural treatments that promote forest resilience relative to climate change.