John Tongue wrote:
Hi Greg and all,
While I agree with the sentiments about maintaining old growth forests
and supporting those who agree never to log their plantations - from
an ecological point of view - it's not true to say that only such
situations are effective at sequestering Carbon. In fact, once an old
growth forest reaches a mature equilibrium, it is almost
carbon-neutral itself. While there are certainly ecological and water
issues to be taken into account, as well as the carbon released in the
harvesting process, it is only actively growing forests (or other
forms of plant biomass) which are truly effective as a 'carbon-sink'.
The challenge confronting the 'great minds' of our time is how to
remove as much carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' from the
atmosphere as possible without unduly upsetting other ecosystems.
John Tongue
Remember that once a tree has grown and absorbed its share of carbon,
that carbon remains "sequestered" unless the tree is cut down. And trees
help in maintaining water in the atmosphere, reduce evaporation from the
soil by reducing the heating effect from direct sunlight, and assist
with erosion control as well as providing habitat for countless insect,
birds, reptiles and mammals. I do agree with Greg though about the sorry
state of forestry with its hectares of single species trees, usually
foreign to the area.
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