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Estimating ecosystem carbon stocks at Redwood National and State Parks

September 3, 2013

Accounting for ecosystem carbon is increasingly important for park managers. In this case study we present our efforts to estimate carbon stocks and the effects of management on carbon stocks for Redwood National and State Parks in northern California. Using currently available information, we estimate that on average these parks’ soils contain approximately 89 tons of carbon per acre (200 Mg C per ha), while vegetation contains about 130 tons C per acre (300 Mg C per ha). estoration activities at the parks (logging-road removal, second-growth forest management) were shown to initially reduce ecosystem carbon, but may provide for enhanced ecosystem carbon storage over the long term. We highlight currently available tools that could be used to estimate ecosystem carbon at other units of the National Park System.

Publication Year 2013
Title Estimating ecosystem carbon stocks at Redwood National and State Parks
Authors Phillip J. van Mantgem, Mary Ann Madej, Joseph Seney, Janelle Deshais
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Park Science
Index ID 70048398
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Western Ecological Research Center