The forests of the United States captured 829 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in 2005, an amount equivalent to 13 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.  Private forests make up approximately 70% of the forests in the US and 90% of the forests in the South. Without the service of these forests, the nation’s net greenhouse gas emissions would be far higher.  Through protection as well as conservation-based, restorative forest management aimed at increasing long-term carbon stocks, forests can play an important role in reducing CO₂ emissions here in the US. According to the EPA, the southern U.S. holds more potential in the forestry sector for mitigating CO₂ emissions than any other region by far.

Yet, forest loss from conversion to development and agriculture as well as unsustainable logging practices release carbon into the atmosphere thereby contributing to overall carbon emissions.  Of all private forests in the United States, those in the South are projected to be the most affected by future development on rural lands.  In addition, the Southern US is the largest wood and paper producing region of the world and is projected to remain a dominant force in the global wood and paper market for the foreseeable future. 

When over-harvested or converted to other uses, carbon stored in forests is released. Common forestry practices in the region such as high grading, large-scale clearcutting and the conversion of natural forests to short-rotation pine plantations significantly diminish forest carbon stocks and negatively impact aesthetics, biodiversity and water quality.  Once diminished, it can take many decades until carbon stocks are replenished. 

Management practices focused on restoring, conserving and increasing the abundance of older, more mature natural stands can replenish and even expand carbon stocks in forests and help mitigate climate change.  Landowners can increase carbon stocks and decrease emissions by shifting from clearcutting and/or plantation establishment to selective harvesting and thinning techniques that increase and sustain carbon volumes in older, more mature natural forests. 

Such changes in management practices will not only improve timber quality and overall timberland value but also result in multiple other non-timber benefits like supporting biodiversity, protecting water quality, and maintaining recreational values.  In addition, these changes could enable forest owners in the South to supply the rapidly growing domestic market demand for wood and paper products originating from well-managed forests certified to the high standards of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).  To date, other countries supply the majority of FSC certified products to US markets.

Sources:

U.S.EPA 2009. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2007, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

Forest Carbon in the United States: Opportunities & Options for Private Lands - Laurie A. Wayburn, Jerry F. Franklin, John C. Gordon, Clark S. Binkley, David J. Mladenoff, Norman L. Christensen, Jr. The Pacific Forest Trust. 2000/2007

Murray, B. C., B. L. Sohngen, et al. 2005. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential in U.S. Forestry and Agriculture, EPA-R-05-006. Washington, D.C: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Atmospheric Programs. 154p.

USDA, Forest Service. 2007. Interim update of the 2000 Renewable Resources Planning Act Assessment. Washington, DC: USDA FS-874.

Harmon, Mark E., Ferrell, William K. and Franklin, Jerry F. 1990. Effects on carbon storage of conversion of old-growth forests to young forests. Science. 247:699-701.

Sonhgen, Brent and  Brown. Sandra The influence of conversion of forest types on carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services in the South Central United States Ecological Economics Volume 57, Issue 4, 1 June 2006, Pages 698-708.