Forest Carbon Dynamics and Management Practices

The amount of carbon stored in forest ecosystems is a key component of the global carbon cycle. Forest carbon dynamics have a large effect on atmospheric CO2 concentration and carbon neutrality targets, due to either capturing or releasing CO2. The urgency to enhance carbon reservoirs of forest ecosystems has long been recognized by the implementation of programs for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Under the background of global climate change, forest management strategy is an effective way to realize carbon sequestration and enhance its magnitude. It is crucial for global joint action on forest ecosystem carbon sink, otherwise gains in one area can be easily offset by losses in other areas. We expect that this issue can provide significant implications for societal grand challenges in relation to climate change mitigation as formulated by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In this Research Topic, we welcome all article types presenting the most recent field and modelling studies about the dynamics of carbon cycles in natural and managed forest ecosystems. Special attention is paid to the impacts of forest stand age, climate warming, CO2 enrichment, nitrogen deposition, and other extreme disturbances (e.g., fire and drought).

In view of these global and regional forces, forest management practices to enable carbon gains are increasingly in need. We encourage articles covering, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Spatial pattern and temporal trend in forest carbon;
• Estimation of forest structural parameters;
• Biotic and abiotic mechanisms of the forest carbon cycle;
• Impact of key ecological forestry project;
• Future scenario of forest carbon sequestration capacity;
• Responses of forest carbon to extreme climatic events and human disturbance;
• Forest management options to increase forest carbon sink.