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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Carbon dioxide sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5596554

The terrestrial biosphere plays a prominent role in the global carbon (C) cycle. Terrestrial ecosystems are currently accumulating C and it appears feasible to manage existing terrestrial (forest, agronomic, desert) ecosystems to maintain or increase C storage. Forest ecosystems can be managed to sequester and store globally significant amounts of C. Agroecosystems and arid lands could be managed to conserve existing terrestrial C but CO2 sequestration rates by vegetation in these systems is relatively low. Biomass from forest agroecosystems has the potential to be used as an energy source and trees could be used to conserve energy in urban environments. Some ecosystem management practices that result in C sequestration and conservation provide ancillary benefits.

Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
OSTI ID:
5596554
Report Number(s):
PB-94-113701/XAB; EPA--600/J-93/440
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English