Carbon storage patterns in Douglas-fir ecosystems

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Abstract
An ecosystem-level carbon cycling model, coupled with estimates of forested land area classified in 10-year age classes, was used to simulate regional net carbon storage in young Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) ecosystems in western Oregon and Washington. The age-specific net carbon storage patterns were similar in 1934 and 1980, but total carbon storage was 1268 × 103 Mg more in 1980 than in 1934. Net carbon release was predicted for the first 15–20 years of forest development, because of decomposition of detritus and soil organic matter following harvest. This may vary between 10 and 30 years at specific sites with higher or lower actual evapotranspiration (AET) rates, respectively, than the regional average. Calculations of annual carbon storage based on tree biomass alone exceeded estimates calculated from the simulation by 1–2 Mg C•year−1.