Title: The Kyoto Protocol and forestry practices in the United States

Author: Eav, Bov B.; Birdsey, Richard A.; Heath, Linda S.

Year: 2000

Publication: In: Proceedings of the XXI IUFRO World Congress: Forests and society: the role of research, sub-plenary sessions, vol. 1. 2000 August 7-12; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Place of publication unknown]: [Publisher unknown]: 556-576.

Abstract: Forestry may play an important if not critical role in the ability of the U.S. to meet its greenhouse gas emissions target under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol. Given the low rate of change in the U.S. forest land area, the major anthropogenic influences on the current net forest carbon flux are forest management and protection activities that have resulted in continuing increases in forest carbon storage. Natural disturbances such as fire, insects, and diseases are locally important factors, but when all U.S. forests are considered, they are small relative to the effects of harvesting and growth. Carbon in U.S. forest ecosystems, wood products, and landfill wood was estimated to account for an annual net sequestration of about 300 TgC/yr during the 1980's, and are projected to comprise at least 200 TgC/yr over the next several decades. Proposed accounting rules under the Kyoto Protocol article 3.3 may render most of this C sequestration unaccountable towards the U.S. emission reduction target unless additional activities are accepted under article 3.4.