Identifying Optimal Forest Management Maximizing Carbon Sequestration in Mountain Forests Impacted by Natural Disturbances: A Case Study in the Alps

Abstract

The role of forests in mitigating climate change by acting as a carbon sink is becoming increasingly important. Forest management practices can either positively or negatively affect the ability of forests to mitigate climate change. The objectives of our study were to: (a) investigate the effects of natural disturbances on long-term carbon sequestration dynamics in forests and (b) identify opportunities to adapt current forest management practices to increase carbon sequestration in forests. The study focused on mixed mountain forests in the Slovenian Alps, dominated by Norway spruce, and used the SLOMATRIX model to simulate forest development. Three forest management scenarios were simulated: (1) no management, (2) business-as-usual and (3) an optimized scenario maximizing carbon sequestration in forests while achieving the required harvest. Our results indicate that both forest management practices and natural disturbances have an impact on carbon sequestration dynamics. Optimizing harvests resulted in changes in the diameter structure and species composition of the harvested trees. Although natural disturbances can hinder the mitigation of climate change impacts, they can also catalyze forest adaptation to climate change and reduce the time required to reach carbon equilibrium.