Global-warming mitigation potential of three tree-plantation scenarios. Final report, September 1989-June 1990

Technical Report · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5930516

Peer, R L; Campbell, D L; Hohenstein, W G

The report gives results of an analysis of three alternative uses of forests in the U.S. to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) concentrations: (1) planting trees with no harvesting, (2) traditional forestry, and (3) short-rotation intensive culture of trees for biomass. Increasing concentrations of CO{sub 2} and other radiatively important trace gases (RITGs) are of concern due to their potential to alter the Earth's climate. Some scientists, after reviewing the results of general circulation models, predict rising average temperatures and alterations in the Earth's hydrologic cycle. While the debate continues over the actual magnitude of global warming, most scientists agree that some change will occur over the next century. This places a burden on policymakers to address global warming and to develop mitigation measures. Since forests provide a sink for carbon by fixing CO{sub 2} to produce biomass, halting deforestation and creating new forests have been proposed as ways to slow the buildup of carbon in the Earth's atmosphere.

• Research Organization: Radian Corp., Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5930516
• Report Number(s): PB-91-159608/XAB; CNN: EPA-68-02-4286
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTROL
DEFORESTATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FORESTRY
FORESTS
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
LAND USE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MITIGATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION SOURCES
PRODUCTIVITY
PROGRESS REPORT