Forest carbon management strategies influence storage compartmentalization in Nothofagus antarctica forest landscapes

Abstract

Silvopastoral systems are one of the strategies proposed to manage natural forests in southern Patagonia for livestock and timber purposes. In the context of climate change, it is necessary to design new management proposals to improve forest carbon sequestration. The objective was to quantify the innate carbon stocking (t C ha−1) variation in Nothofagus antarctica forests under natural dynamics in even- and uneven-aged structures, and in harvested and transformed stands. Carbon stocks were sampled in 145 forest stands, identifying 14 different components in above- and belowground strata. Results showed that the carbon content of the stands varied significantly with age (e.g., C contribution of different tree components), ranging from 289 to 386 t C ha−1. Deadwood was the variable that varied most among the successional stages. In harvested stands, carbon content changed significantly with increasing harvesting intensity (from 84.6% to 55.7%) and was lower than in non-harvested stands. These changes were reflected in reduced carbon accumulation in trees, deadwood, and soil layer and increased accumulation in understory plants. Silvopastoral system management can achieve a balance between productive objectives and maintenance of carbon stocks in managed forests, resulting in higher resilience and lower carbon losses, thus promoting sustainable forest management.