Responsibly-managed forests improves CO2 sequestration
Responsible forest management practices (e.g. soil preparation, selecting the right regeneration method, cleaning of the young stands, timely thinnings), means that the yield per hectare is greater in a managed than an unmanaged forest, thus augmenting the carbon sink capacity.
Additionally, disturbance (for example fire or insects) can impact on the forest’s carbon balance, which can cause the CO2 to be released from the tree. Managed protection against wild fires and insect infestation can help keep the CO2 locked within the tree as it is able to grow older.
Fact: According to the Swedish Forest Industry Federation, if all the countries with an established forest economy employed Swedish forest management practices, a major part of the world’s CO2 emissions could be neutralised.