Researchers studied large diameter trees (> 53.3 cm) on national forest lands in Oregon and
The study is one of the first of its kind to highlight the need for conservation of large trees and their important role in carbon sequestration.
Large trees make up a small parttrees in the forest, but they play an extremely important role for the entire forest community. It will take hundreds of years to replace the many unique functions they perform.
Dr. David Mildrexler, senior author of the study
To study the relationship between tree diameterand above-ground carbon storage in forests, the researchers used species-specific equations to relate tree diameter and height to above-ground biomass in the trunk and branches. They also looked at what proportion of large trees make up the total forest area and where cutting them down would lead.
By the way, the study also showed that treesdiameter > 76.2 cm constitute only 0.6% of the total number of trunks, but they account for more than 16% of the carbon in the aboveground biomass of the studied forests. It is worth noting that as they grow, giant trees accumulate more and more carbon. Their careful preservation will help in the problem of climate change, scientists are sure.
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