Estimating Ecosystem Carbon Stocks at Redwood National and State Parks
van Mantgem P, Madej MA, Seney J, Deshais J. 2013. Estimating Ecosystem Carbon Stocks at Redwood National and State Parks. Park Science. 30(1):20-26
Researchers describe their efforts to measure and monitor carbon in the complex redwood forests, showing how forest restoration may allow for greater ecosystem carbon storage over the long term. Abstract: Accounting for ecosystem carbon is increasingly important for park managers. In this case study we present our efforts to estimate carbon stocks and the effects of management on carbon stocks for Redwood National and State Parks in northern California. Using currently available information, we estimate that on average these parks’ soils contain approximately 89 tons of carbon per acre (200 Mg C per ha), while vegetation contains about 130 tons C per acre (300 Mg C per ha). Restoration activities at the parks (logging-road removal, second-growth forest management) were shown to initially reduce ecosystem carbon, but may provide for enhanced ecosystem carbon storage over the long term. We highlight currently available tools that could be used to estimate ecosystem carbon at other units of the National Park System.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- van Mantgem, Phillip; Madej, Mary; Seney, Joseph; Deshais, Janelle
- Units
- NRSS , REDW
- Keywords
- carbon accounting, Climate Change, Management, Mitigation, PWR-toolkit, Redwood National and State Parks