Global potential for carbon storage based on forest ecosystems

Abstract

As our concerns about climate change grow, how much anthropogenic emission biosphere can absorb as a net carbon sink remains an important issue . This thesis builds a physical model and an economic model of world forest based on the same forest stand growth curves and common assumptions of proper carbon storage method which has enough stability and longevity such as biochar. The aim of the study is to estimate the potential of carbon storage by world forest and the related economic implications. In the physical model, combined forest management strategies of afforestation, decreased deforestation as well as harvesting and replanting are discussed. The results indicate a global annual potential of carbon sequestration in the range of 1 to 2 Gt of carbon by harvesting, which is significant as compared to the annual global emissions of around 10 Gt of carbon. In the economic model, the major take away is that commercial value as well as carbon value can be created while more carbon is locked through proper use of harvested wood. Although forest grows relatively slow, the long term potential can be large, especially when technologies such as biochar production become more mature. As a fast but expensive solution, CCS technology has gained little progress so far. Other alternatives of carbon storage should be discussed and studied further.