Potential for additional carbon sequestration through regeneration of nonstocked forest land in the United States

Abstract

An analysis of 2014 forest inventory data for the contiguous United States shows nearly 8 million ha of forestland that are currently defined as nonstocked after recent natural and human disturbances. It is estimated that forest regeneration on these lands could result in an additional terrestrial sequestration of 48.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) annually. Analysis across a range of seven site productivity classes indicates that approximately 58% of the total area is productive timberland, defined as capable of producing merchantable volume of ≥1.4 m3/ha/year. It is estimated that regeneration of just the productive timberland portion of the total could produce an additional 44.4 million metric tons of CO2e annually in carbon sequestration. On National Forest System lands, more than 50% of the total potential carbon sequestration benefit from regenerating nonstocked lands could be achieved by reforesting just the top 30% of these lands in the moderate-to-high site productivity classes. On private lands, more than 70% of the total potential carbon benefit can be achieved by regenerating the most productive 30%.