Estimating Carbon Stocks and Stock Changes in Forests: Linking Models and Data Across Scales

Abstract

Concerns over the impacts of atmospheric changes on the global climate system have resulted in a global emphasis on altering anthropogenic activities to reduce the rate of atmospheric change. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) rose from 280 ppm prior to the industrial revolution to ∼380ppm in 2005 and other greenhouse gases have also increased (e.g., methane from 715 to 1,774 ppb1) (IPCC, 2007). Increases in the amount of atmospheric carbon have been linked to changes in climate, including a 0.74°C temperature increase in the last 100 years (IPCC, 2007). Christensen et al. (2007) note that all land regions will likely warm in the 21st century. In this paper, we present a discussion of methods used to obtain information on carbon stocks, using reported analyses as examples. We begin with some of the challenges in obtaining the necessary information. Methods used to integrate data and models across time and spatial scales, including stratification into large ecosystems, and imputation and regression methods to expand data to unsampled locations, are then discussed. In the summary, we list some of the research needs for improving these linkages and resulting estimates. As there are many articles relating to carbon budgeting, a full review is not given. Instead, examples of research, weighted to more current articles, are referenced.