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Global maps of twenty-first century forest carbon fluxes

Author

Listed:
  • Nancy L. Harris

    (World Resources Institute)

  • David A. Gibbs

    (World Resources Institute)

  • Alessandro Baccini

    (Woodwell Climate Research Center
    Boston University)

  • Richard A. Birdsey

    (Woodwell Climate Research Center)

  • Sytze Bruin

    (Wageningen University and Research)

  • Mary Farina

    (Woodwell Climate Research Center
    Montana State University)

  • Lola Fatoyinbo

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Matthew C. Hansen

    (University of Maryland)

  • Martin Herold

    (Wageningen University and Research)

  • Richard A. Houghton

    (Woodwell Climate Research Center)

  • Peter V. Potapov

    (University of Maryland)

  • Daniela Requena Suarez

    (Wageningen University and Research)

  • Rosa M. Roman-Cuesta

    (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR))

  • Sassan S. Saatchi

    (California Institute of Technology
    University of California)

  • Christy M. Slay

    (University of Arkansas)

  • Svetlana A. Turubanova

    (University of Maryland)

  • Alexandra Tyukavina

    (University of Maryland)

Abstract

Managing forests for climate change mitigation requires action by diverse stakeholders undertaking different activities with overlapping objectives and spatial impacts. To date, several forest carbon monitoring systems have been developed for different regions using various data, methods and assumptions, making it difficult to evaluate mitigation performance consistently across scales. Here, we integrate ground and Earth observation data to map annual forest-related greenhouse gas emissions and removals globally at a spatial resolution of 30 m over the years 2001–2019. We estimate that global forests were a net carbon sink of −7.6 ± 49 GtCO2e yr−1, reflecting a balance between gross carbon removals (−15.6 ± 49 GtCO2e yr−1) and gross emissions from deforestation and other disturbances (8.1 ± 2.5 GtCO2e yr−1). The geospatial monitoring framework introduced here supports climate policy development by promoting alignment and transparency in setting priorities and tracking collective progress towards forest-specific climate mitigation goals with both local detail and global consistency.

Suggested Citation

  • Nancy L. Harris & David A. Gibbs & Alessandro Baccini & Richard A. Birdsey & Sytze Bruin & Mary Farina & Lola Fatoyinbo & Matthew C. Hansen & Martin Herold & Richard A. Houghton & Peter V. Potapov & D, 2021. "Global maps of twenty-first century forest carbon fluxes," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(3), pages 234-240, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:11:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1038_s41558-020-00976-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-00976-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. Yu, Zhihan & Ning, Zhuo & Chang, Wei-Yew & Chang, Sun Joseph & Yang, Hongqiang, 2023. "Optimal harvest decisions for the management of carbon sequestration forests under price uncertainty and risk preferences," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
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    11. Bergkvist, John & Lagergren, Fredrik & Linderson, Maj-Lena Finnander & Miller, Paul & Lindeskog, Mats & Jönsson, Anna Maria, 2023. "Modelling managed forest ecosystems in Sweden: An evaluation from the stand to the regional scale," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 477(C).
    12. Eric C. Davis & Brent Sohngen & David J. Lewis, 2022. "The effect of carbon fertilization on naturally regenerated and planted US forests," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    13. Chervier, Colas & Ximenes, Arimatéa C. & Mihigo, Blaise-Pascal Ntirumenyerwa & Doumenge, Charles, 2024. "Impact of industrial logging concession on deforestation and forest degradation in the DRC," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
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    19. Gao, Ming, 2023. "The impacts of carbon trading policy on China's low-carbon economy based on county-level perspectives," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    20. Dongfan Xu & Jialong Zhang & Rui Bao & Yi Liao & Dongyang Han & Qianwei Liu & Tao Cheng, 2021. "Temporal and Spatial Variation of Aboveground Biomass of Pinus densata and Its Drivers in Shangri-La, CHINA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-17, December.

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