Carbon cycling in mature and regrowth forests globally

Abstract Forests are major components of the global carbon (C) cycle and thereby strongly influence atmospheric dioxide (CO 2 ) climate. However, efforts to incorporate forests into climate models CO accounting frameworks have been constrained by a lack accessible, global-scale synthesis on how C cycling varies across forest types stand ages. Here, we draw from Global Forest Carbon Database, ForC, provide macroscopic overview in world’s forests, giving special attention age-related variation. Specifically, use 11 923 ForC records for 34 variables 865 geographic locations characterize ensemble budgets four broad types—tropical broadleaf evergreen, temperate broadleaf, conifer, boreal. We calculate means standard deviations both mature regrowth (age < 100 years) quantify trends with age all sufficient data. rates generally decreased tropical boreal whereas stocks showed less directional Mature net ecosystem production did not differ significantly among biomes. The majority flux variables, together most live biomass pools, increased logarithm age. As change accelerates, understanding managing dynamics is critical forecasting, mitigation, adaptation. This comprehensive synthetic fluxes biomes ages contributes these efforts.