BEETLE HOLLOWAY<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Journalist<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Facing changing climate conditions, forest experts are adapting their activities to improve forests\u2019 long-term carbon sequestration and decrease emissions of forestry operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One part sink, another part emitter, the forest-carbon relationship cuts both ways. Between 2001 and 2019, the world\u2019s forests absorbed<\/a> double the amount of carbon dioxide than they released into the atmosphere. As the world looks to cut greenhouse gas emissions, forest experts are implementing measures to improve forest sustainability and further tilt the scales towards sequestration, but they face new challenges from a changing climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forests absorb carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, storing the carbon in a wide variety of biomass, including live trees, dead trees, soils and even harvested trees. For example, durable wood products, such as timber used in homes, can store carbon for more than 100 years and even short-lived paper products can retain carbon for the duration of their lifecycle, including through multiple rounds of recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why Petri Heinonen<\/strong>, Environment Specialist at UPM Forest, believes that \u201cout of all terrestrial ecosystems, forests are the most important in fighting climate change.\u201d Although he also notes that \u201cforests are not absolutely safe for carbon.\u201d From natural respiration and decomposition to human-induced activities like deforestation, forests can be net carbon emitters. As these emissions occur at varied time frames \u2013 i.e., natural decomposition of forest vegetation takes decades, whereas combustion from a wildfire takes seconds \u2013 the actions that forest experts take now will have a lasting impact on forests\u2019 long-term carbon balance. Wood used in construction can store carbon for more than 100 years. Achieving a net positive carbon balance is a crucial part of sustainable forest management and Heinonen maintains that \u201cthe wood spacing, and the soil fertility are the most important factors. When forests are at optimal density, they absorb more carbon. Therefore, the more fertile the forest, the higher the wood volume, the more carbon sequestered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, forest experts employ silviculture tactics to encourage sustainable forest growth. \u201cWe aim to give the biggest and most vigorous trees more space to grow,\u201d says Heinonen. \u201cWhen they have space and less competition for nutrients and light, they grow faster and in higher volumes. We therefore remove trees that are smaller, but still competing, and cut stands when they reach a growth culmination point [from 60 to 100 years-old in Finland, depending on the site fertility]\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, UPM maintains forests at different ages so there is a steady, regular harvest and boosts resilience by using fertilisers and genetically selected seedlings. For example, Heinonen explains that the greater the diversity, the greater the resilience. \u201cIn Finland, we accept all the tree species that can grow in the natural environment, and we made a decision to double the volume of broadleaf trees to improve the resilience of the forest to deal with issues like drought and pests.\u201d In Finland, UPM has decided to double the volume of broadleaf trees to improve forest resilience. Improving forest resilience is particularly important as the climate changes. In Finland, \u201cmean temperatures are projected to increase by 1.5\u20132\u00b0C in winter and 1\u20131.5\u00b0C in summer between 2020 and 2050,\u201d according to Kimmo Ruosteenoja<\/strong>, a climate specialist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). \u201cAt the same time, precipitation in winter will increase by 0\u201312% and solar radiation may increase by 2% in the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cClimate change is going to have both positive and negative effects on forests,\u201d says Marcus Lindner<\/strong>, Principal Scientist in the Resilience Programme at the European Forest Institute (EFI). \u201cIn Finland, temperatures are currently a limiting factor, so Finnish forests are likely to absorb more carbon with higher temperatures, but disturbances like fires, storms and spruce bark beetle infestations will also become more frequent and intense, which can damage forests and lead to a temporary loss of carbon. Precipitation and the distribution of rainfall will also be a major factor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Lindner, it\u2019s imperative to improve the resilience of forests to prepare for the unforeseen weather changes. He recommends \u201cusing mixed forests instead of pure stands and planting species that can live in that climate\u201d, as well as \u201cusing the wood for additional purposes, such as construction, to maximise the climate mitigation potential of forests.\u201d In a sustainable supply chain, no raw material goes to waste. Sustainability doesn\u2019t stop at the forest border and forest experts should also be looking at ways to improve sustainability across the supply chain. At UPM, Heinonen explains how none of the raw materials go to waste. \u201cThe biggest stems go to the sawmills and are used mostly in construction. The small diameter trees head to the pulp mills and paper mills. All the extra material from the sawmill is taken to the pulp mill and even the bark is used in energy boilers for the mills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s more, Heinonen says UPM has taken efforts to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 by decreasing operational emissions \u2013 i.e., replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources where possible \u2013 and cutting transport emissions. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to get more direct emitting data from trucking companies so we can start managing the reduction of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to sustainable forestry, there is no-one size fits all approach, but taking the time to adapt now will have far-reaching consequences in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo: UPM<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The most interesting Future Beyond Fossils stories of the week picked by our Editor in Chief. Delivered to your inbox once every other week. You can cancel it any time you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The big idea<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" March 29, 20221h7tj Source >>> BEETLE HOLLOWAY Journalist Facing changing climate conditions, forest experts are … Forests as carbon sinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"how-forests-can-adapt-to-climate-change-2.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.upm.com\/contentassets\/e18f75cbd3d846ca8bd1828b8a03f017\/how-forests-can-adapt-to-climate-change-2.jpg\")
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Photo:<\/strong> UPM<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe importance of sustainably managed forests<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo:<\/strong> UPM<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdapting to climate change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"how-forests-can-adapt-to-climate-change-4.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.upm.com\/contentassets\/e18f75cbd3d846ca8bd1828b8a03f017\/how-forests-can-adapt-to-climate-change-4.jpg\")
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Photo:<\/strong> UPM<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainability beyond the forest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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