An inventory-based carbon budget for forest and woodland ecosystems of Turkey


Evrendilek F.

Journal of Environmental Monitoring, vol.6, no.1, pp.26-30, 2004 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 6 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1039/b309893a
  • Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Monitoring
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.26-30
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Environmental monitoring of national-level comparisons of CO2 emissions is needed to quantify sources and sinks of carbon (C) in national ecosystems. In this study, a national forest inventory database was used to estimate the past and current pools and fluxes of C in deciduous and coniferous forest and woodland ecosystems (20.7 × 106 ha) of Turkey. Growing C stock was 12.63 t C ha-1 in 1960 and 16.55 t C ha -1 in 1995. Total C store in the whole live woody biomass was estimated at 22.77 t C ha-1 in 1996. The total flux of C from the atmosphere into the forest and woodland ecosystems driven by primary productivity was about 1.46 t C ha-1 (or 30.2 Mt C) in 1996. The estimated net release of C from the forest and woodland ecosystems of Turkey to the atmosphere was about 1.34 t C ha-1 (or 21.5 Mt C) in 1996. When C released was taken into account, net ecosystem sequestration (NES) resulted in 0.12 t C ha-1 per year. Such analytical tools as national forest C budgets are needed to improve our preventive and mitigative strategies for dealing with global climate change.