The ability to decrease carbon dioxide levels is just one of the benefits of a healthy forest, but it’s an important one. The longleaf pine in particular plays a large role in storing carbon emissions. According to a study conducted by a research team led by Lisa Samuelson, the director of the Center for Longleaf Pine Ecosystems and a professor at Auburn University, as much as 39% of overall ecosystem carbon can be stored in the trunks and branches of longleaf pine. (1)

Carbon dioxide and climate change

Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that absorbs and radiates heat, is a major contributor to climate change, accountable for around two-thirds of the total energy imbalance that causes the rising temperatures. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases are necessary to make the planet warm enough that we can inhabit it, but the current carbon dioxide levels are the highest they’ve been in 4 million years. According to Pieter Tans, a senior scientist with NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory, we add around 40 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution to the atmosphere each year.

Although carbon dioxide can be released through natural processes, the increase in carbon dioxide levels is due mostly to the burning of fossil fuels for energy. Deforestation also contributes to the increased levels. The carbon dioxide is produced at a rate higher than that of the removal process, causing global surface temperatures to increase. Along with the increase in temperatures, this has led to an increase in heavy precipitation events, more frequent floods, shrinking glaciers, and more frequent large wildfires. (2, 3, 4)

Tracking carbon dioxide emissions

Keeping track of how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere is important for understanding how natural processes and human activities influence that number. Not only is this helpful for predicting future climate change, but it can also increase comprehension of how rising carbon dioxide concentrations affect agricultural and ecological systems. This information can then be used to evaluate carbon mitigation strategies based on what activities are producing the most carbon dioxide, and how much carbon dioxide is stored in different landscapes. (5)

Longleaf pine carbon storage

The National Wildlife Foundation reported that compared to other southeastern species, longleaf pine are better adapted to handle more extreme precipitation patterns, severe storms, pest infestations, and fire. All of these qualities make the longleaf pine a species suited to survive the effects of climate change. And not only do longleaf pine have a greater chance at surviving these effects, but they can also help mitigate climate change. To be successful in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, improving forest management is a must.

Longleaf pine are well suited to long-term storage of carbon. For one, their natural lifespan is greater than other pine species of the Southeast. An individual tree can survive more than 450 years, with longleaf pine stands continuing to grow and sequester carbon for around 120 years. This provides a long-term natural reservoir for carbon. Additionally, longleaf pine can sequester up to 200 metric tons per hectare of carbon over an 80 year period, after which the carbon is stored. To maintain the health of the longleaf pine ecosystem, fires are set in order to clear underbrush and promote biodiversity. A Northern Arizona University study showed that, on average, prescribed burning reduces carbon emissions by 18% to 25%. (6, 7)

Citations

(1) Farmer, S. (2017, March 16). Where’s the carbon? U.S. Department of Agriculture Southern Research Station. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2017/03/16/wheres-the-carbon/

(2) Lindsey, R. (2020, August 14). Climate change: Atmospheric carbon dioxide. NOAA Climate.gov. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide

(3) U.S. Global Change Research Program. (n.d.). Climate change: What's happening & why. https://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change/whats-happening-why

(4) McDaniel, E. (2021, June 7). Carbon dioxide, which drives climate change, reaches highest level in 4 million years. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/06/07/1004097672/atmospheric-carbon-dioxide-fueling-climate-change-hits-a-four-million-year-high

(5) Lindsey, R., & Gardiner, N. (2014, May 22). Tracking carbon dioxide across the globe. NOAA Climate.gov. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/decision-makers-toolbox/tracking-carbon-dioxide-across-globe

(6) Reynolds, C. (2015, August 5). Longleaf pines and climate change, a David and Goliath story. The stream: State of water. https://stateofwater.org/thestream/2015/08/05/longleaf-pines-and-climate-change-a-david-and-goliath-story/

(7) National Wildlife Federation. (2009, December). Standing tall: how restoring longleaf pine can help prepare the southeast for global warming. https://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Global-Warming/Reports/LongleafPineReport.ashx

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