Changes in the carbon stocks of stem biomass, organic layers and the upper 50 cm of the mineral soil during succession and afforestation of spruce (Picea abies) on former grassland were examined along six chronosequences in Thuringia and the Alps. Three chronosequences were established on calcareous and three on acidic bedrocks. Stand elevation and mean annual precipitation of the chronosequenc...

Ecosystems in dry regions are generally low in productivity and carbon (C) storage. We report, however, large increases in C sequestration following afforestation of a semi-arid shrubland with Pinus halepensis trees. Using C and nitrogen (N) inventories, based in part on site-specific allometric equations, we measured an increase in the standing ecosystem C stock from 2380 g C m−2 in the shrubl...

In this paper we show how cost-benefit analysis can be used as a decision support mechanism for the location of new (urban) forest land, starting from the multifunctional role of these new forests. We start with a simple presentation of the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) technique. Key features of this evaluation technique are that (i) all – both positive and negative impacts for all relevant part...

Executive Summary There is widespread recognition of the potential role forests can play in contributing to Green House Gas (GHG) reductions through carbon sequestration. Non-industrial private forests (NIPF) comprise a significant portion of forests in the U.S. (approximately 40%). Thus, it is crucial to assess the role that NIPF landowners can play in broader carbon sequestration efforts. Man...

Dodonaea viscosa is widely cultivated in the karst graben basin and crucial for recovering land after rocky desertification. However, effect of long–time D. afforestation on changes quality soil remains unclear. Soil nutrients aggregate composition can be used to evaluate beneficial effects improving functional stability. In this study, stability were investigated using cropland, 10–year, 20–ye...