Raehyun Kim

Simulating the soil carbon dynamics of Pinus densiflora forests in central Korea

Abstract We developed a simple forest soil carbon model (Korean Forest Soil Carbon model, KFSC) requiring a small number of parameters to evaluate the forest soil carbon stocks and dynamics. The KFSC was composed of live biomass (BIO), primary dead organic matter (DOM) (AWD: aboveground woody debris; BWD: belowground woody debris; ALT: aboveground litter; and BLT: belowground litter), and secondary DOM (HUM: humus and SOC: soil organic carbon). The KFSC was validated against six Pinus densiflora forests at Gyeonggi province in central Korea and validation results showed that the model predicted the AWD, ALT, and SOC stocks with high precision (r 2=0.90–0.98, slope = 0.95–0.98). We simulated 160 years of carbon dynamics of the P. densiflora forests in Gyeonggi province (11,607 ha) under alternative clear-cut intervals that had been taking place in the past (30, 50, and 80 years). Simulated total SOC stock ranged from 298.7 to 520.5 Gg C depending on the scenario and increased with time in all scenarios. The estimated total SOC stock was higher in the scenario of less frequent clear-cut, while its annual increment was higher in the scenario of more frequent clear-cut in the past. The KFSC will be useful, especially for simulating soil carbon dynamics in forests with scarce information, and has the potential to estimate soil carbon dynamics at a national scale by incorporating with geographical information system.

Estimating the Changes in Forest Carbon Dynamics of Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis Forests in South Korea under the RCP 8.5 Climate Change Scenario

Forests contain a huge amount of carbon (C) and climate change could affect forest C dynamics. This study was conducted to predict the C dynamics of Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis forests, which are the most dominant needleleaf and broadleaf forests in Korea, using the Korean Forest Soil Carbon (KFSC) model under the two climate change scenarios (2012−2100; Constant Temperature (CT) scenario and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario). To construct simulation unit, the forest land areas for those two species in the 5th National Forest Inventory (NFI) data were sorted by administrative district and stand age class. The C pools were initialized at 2012, and any disturbance was not considered during the simulation period. Although the forest C stocks of two species generally increased over time, the forest C stocks under the RCP 8.5 scenario were less than those stocks under the CT scenario. The C stocks of P. densiflora forests increased from 260.4 Tg C in 2012 to 395.3 (CT scenario) or 384.1 Tg C (RCP 8.5 scenario) in 2100. For Q. variabilis forests, the C stocks increased from 124.4 Tg C in 2012 to 219.5 (CT scenario) or 204.7 (RCP 8.5 scenario) Tg C in 2100. Compared to 5th NFI data, the initial value of C stocks in dead organic matter C pools seemed valid. Accordingly, the annual C sequestration rates of the two species over the simulation period under the RCP 8.5 scenario (65.8 and 164.2 g C m yr for P. densiflora and Q. variabilis) were lower than those values under the CT scenario (71.1 and 193.5 g C m yr for P. densiflora and Q. variabilis). We concluded that the C sequestration potential of P. densiflora and Q. variabilis forests could be decreased by climate change. Although there were uncertainties from parameters and model structure, this study could contribute to elucidating the C dynamics of South Korean forests in future.

Estimating the age-dependent changes in carbon stocks of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in Turkey

Abstract• Key messageSimulated and observed carbon stocks in Scots pine forests varied considerably with stand age. The contribution of biomass to the total forest carbon stocks increased and that of dead organic matter decreased with increasing stand age.• Context Understanding changes in forest carbon stocks over time is important to estimate carbon inventory. Although Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a main species in Turkey, studies on such changes are still lacking.• Aims We aimed to estimate the changes in carbon stocks, with stand age, of Scots pine stands in Turkey using field work data and a forest carbon model (FBDC model).• Methods Biomass and dead organic matter carbon stocks were investigated to adjust the forest carbon model and to verify the model estimates. Forest carbon stocks with regards to stand age were simulated.• Results The simulated carbon stocks were generally in clear agreement with the observed values on a stand scale. Changes in simulated and observed carbon stocks of biomass and dead organic matter varied with stand age. The contribution of biomass to total forest carbon stocks increased, and that of dead organic matter decreased, with increasing stand age.• Conclusion We found that the carbon stocks in each pool and their contribution to the total forest carbon stocks varied with stand age. Our results are expected to contribute to the understanding of annual changes in the carbon stocks of Turkish forests.

Estimation of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory on Forest Land at Provincial Level

This study was conducted to estimate of the greenhouse gas inventory on forest land at provincial level. The greenhouse gas emissions are calculated according to the K-MRV guidance. We collected activity data from statistical yearbook of forestry and used default emission factors. The annual total CO2 emission in forest land was -58,711 Gg CO2eq. and the annual CO2 emission in loss such as fellings, fuelwood and fire was 19,896 Gg CO2eq. in 2011. The results showed the removals of carbon dioxide in the forest land, it’s amount was -38,815Gg CO2eq. in 2011. Annual net CO2 removal of local forest was highest in Kangwon province in 2011. Our study did not use the many statistics due to exclusion of double counting. There are need complementary activity data and emission factors, and then we will find a way to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions/removals in the near future.