Quantifying the impact of forest management on the carbon balance of the forest-wood product chain: A case study applied to even-aged oak stands in France

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated three different management scenarios in relation to their ability to maximize the carbon balance. The study was carried out within a context of managed even-aged sessile oak stands, and the management scenarios were contrasted in terms of stem density and rotation length. A system of models designed to represent the whole forest-wood product chain was used to assess the carbon balance of each scenario. The boundaries of this system were extended as far as possible to prevent any carbon leaks. Dead organic matter and disposed harvested wood products (HWPs) were taken into account in the assessment. The scenarios were compared in terms of their average stock in the forest and the HWP carbon pools, as well as some additional fluxes. These included: (i) substitution for fossil fuel; (ii) carbon emissions due to HWP processing; (iii) the accumulation of non-degradable carbon in the landfill; and (iv) methane emissions resulting from anaerobic decomposition of disposed HWPs.Results showed that the HWP carbon pools were about 10times smaller than the forest carbon pools. The substitution for fossil fuel constituted the largest positive flux, whereas methane emissions in absence of methane recovery facilities accounted for 40% of the negative fluxes. The burning of wood products for energy was preferable to HWP disposal at the landfill site. As long as the risk of extreme climate events remains marginal, management scenarios that maintain higher stem densities over longer rotation lengths appeared to be favorable to carbon sequestration.