tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235419263414453422.post1241006111662215659..comments2024-02-23T01:30:06.101-08:00Comments on Early Warning: Global Forest LossesStuart Stanifordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07182839827506265860noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235419263414453422.post-71395521110650488992010-04-29T07:16:29.941-07:002010-04-29T07:16:29.941-07:00Very interesting. As you note, net changes in fore...Very interesting. As you note, net changes in forest biomass aren't shown. The difference between gross, abrupt loss of canopy and overall net change in forest biomass could be significant for some regions, like the southeast U.S., with its huge pine plantations, regularly logged and replanted. <br /><br />At the global level, according to the new book by the other Hansen you mention (Storms of My Grandchildren, p. 119) forests appear to be sequestering more carbon than they used to. This is probably due to dramatically faster growth of trees (see McMahon, et al.,http://www.pnas.org/content/107/8/3611) which in turn is likely due to longer growing season and plants' feasting on higher levels of CO2 than they have seen in millions of years. <br /><br />A more rapid growth of plants, if indeed widespread, augments the possibilities of carbon sequestration efforts. I will expand on this a little in a future post at http://michaelaucott.blogspot.comMike Aucotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05692592170835103639noreply@blogger.com