Green or brown Carbon Storage: In understanding the role of natural forests in global carbon cycle and global temperature mitigation

Global temperature has been increasing rapidly along with atmospheric concentrations of CO2 over the last several decades and is expected to continue through this century. The aim of the present work was to provide a synopsis of the scientific literature concerning the role of natural forests in global carbon cycle and global temperature mitigation. Natural forests are major components of the global carbon cycle, providing substantial feedback to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Due to their large biomass natural forests assume an important role in the global carbon cycle by moderating the greenhouse effect of atmospheric pollution. It is the biological, ecological and evolutionary dimension that distinguishes the ‘green’ carbon in natural forests from the ‘brown’ carbon of industrialized forests, especially monoculture plantations. The green carbon stored in natural forests is a significant component of the global carbon cycle, and about 18% of annual greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation and forest degradation. Natural forests are more resilient to global temperature, climate change and disturbances than plantations because of their genetic, taxonomic and functional biodiversity. This resilience includes regeneration after fire, resistance to and recovery from pests and diseases, and adaptation to changes in radiation, temperature and water availability (including those resulting from global climate change).

کلیدواژه ها:

Green carbon ، Brown carbon ، global temperature ، Natural forests ، global carbon cycle