Assessing Carbon Fluxes from Contemporary Forest Disturbances Using a Grid-based Carbon Accounting Model

We developed a grid-based carbon accounting (GCA) model for estimating carbon fluxes from contemporary forest disturbances based on an existing bookkeeping model. Utilizing fine resolution remote sensing products and available ground survey data, the GCA model is able to provide spatial and temporal details that are crucial to carbon management decisions. The model was tested over North Carolina, and annual carbon flux maps from 1986 to 2010 were produced at 30-m resolution. The results showed that without considering soil carbon as well as the legacy emissions from wood products harvested before 1986 and the emissions from wood products harvested from 1986 to 2010 that will be released after 2010, North Carolina’s forest land was a net C sink of 218.1Tg over the 25-year (1986-2010) study period.