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How to maximize the joint benefits of timber production and carbon sequestration for rural areas? A case study of larch plantations in northeast China

Authors :
Lingbo Dong
Xueying Lin
Pete Bettinger
Zhaogang Liu
Source :
Carbon Balance and Management, Vol 19, Iss 1, Pp 1-14 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
BMC, 2024.

Abstract

Abstract Background Implementing large-scale carbon sink afforestation may contribute to carbon neutrality targets and increase the economic benefits of forests in rural areas. However, how to manage planted forests in China to maximize the joint benefits of timber production and carbon sequestration is still unclear. Therefore, the present study quantified the effects of different rotation lengths, thinning treatments, site quality (SCI), stand density (SDI), and management costs on the joint benefits of carbon sequestration and timber production based on a stand-level model system developed for larch plantations in northeast China. Results The performances of the different scenarios on carbon stocks were satisfactory, where the variations in the outcomes of final carbon stocks could be explained by up to 90%. The joint benefits increased significantly with the increases of SDIs and SCIs, regardless of which rotation length and thinning treatments were evaluated. Early thinning treatments decreased the joint benefits significantly by approximately 131.53% and 32.16% of middle- and higher-SDIs, however longer rotations (60 years) could enlarge it by approximately 71.39% and 80.27% in scenarios with and without thinning when compared with a shorter rotation length (40 years). Discount rates and timber prices were the two most important variables affecting joint benefits, while the effects of carbon prices were not as significant as expected in the current trading market in China. Conclusions The management plans that promote longer rotations, higher stand densities, and no thinning treatments can maximize the joint benefits of carbon sequestration afforestation and timber production from larch plantations located in northeast China. Graphical Abstract

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17500680
Volume :
19
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Carbon Balance and Management
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f1fba83682a4bae9b6babd0683f0655
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13021-024-00271-3