We aimed to assess the effects of changes in climate, windthrow regimes and post-windthrow management on aboveground biomass, species composition, and carbon balance in the forest sector by combining forest landscape simulations and life cycle assessment (LCA).
We simulated 115 years (2015–2130) of forest dynamics in 36 scenarios based on features of the climate, windthrow regime, and management using the LANDIS-II forest landscape model. CO2 emissions related to management and salvaged wood were estimated by LCA.
We concluded that leaving downed logs and advanced seedlings is recommended to conserve boreal conifers and carbon sinks and maximize net CO2 absorption under climate change.
Hotta W, Haga C, Morimoto J, Suzuki SN, Matsui T, Owari T, Shibata H, Nakamura F (2023) Leaving disturbance legacies conserves boreal conifers and maximizes net CO2 absorption under climate change and more frequent and larger windthrow regimes. Landscape Ecology 38 (7): 1785-1805. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-023-01680-4