Abstract
Although the terrestrial carbon budget is of key importance for atmospheric CO2 concentrations, little is known on the effects of management and natural disturbances on historical carbon stocks at the regional scale. We reconstruct the dynamics of vegetation carbon stocks and flows in forests across the past 100 years for a valley in the eastern Swiss Prealps using quantitative and qualitative information from forest management plans. The excellent quality of the historical information makes it possible to link dynamics in growing stocks with high-resolution time series for natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The results of the historical reconstruction are compared with modelled potential natural vegetation. Forest carbon stock at the beginning of the twentieth century was substantially reduced compared to natural conditions as a result of large scale clearcutting lasting until the late nineteenth century. Recovery of the forests from this unsustainable exploitation and systematic forest management were the main drivers of a strong carbon accumulation during almost the entire twentieth century. In the 1990s two major storm events and subsequent bark beetle infestations significantly reduced stocks back to the levels of the mid-twentieth century. The future potential for further carbon accumulation was found to be strongly limited, as the potential for further forest expansion in this valley is low and forest properties seem to approach equilibrium with the natural disturbance regime. We conclude that consistent long-term observations of carbon stocks and their changes provide rich information on the historical range of variability of forest ecosystems. Such historical information improves our ability to assess future changes in carbon stocks. Further, the information is vital for better parameterization and initialization of dynamic regional scale vegetation models and it provides important background for appropriate management decisions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Apps JM, Price DT (eds) (1996) Forest ecosystems, forest management and the global carbon cycle. NATO ASI series. Series I, global environmental change, vol 40. Springer, New York
Asner GP, Archer S, Hughes RF, Ansley RJ, Wessman CA (2003) Net changes in regional woody vegetation cover and carbon storage in Texas Drylands, 1937–1999. Glob Change Biol 9:316–335. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2486.2003.00594.x
Badeck F-W, Lischke H, Bugmann H, Hickler T, Hönniger K, Lasch P, Lexer MJ, Mouillot F, Schaber J, Smith B (2001) Tree species composition in European pristine forests: comparison of stand data to model predictions. Clim Change 51:307–347. doi:10.1023/A:1012577612155
Bitterli D (2004) Das Kloster Einsiedeln als Waldbesitzer im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert. Schweiz Z Forstwesen 155:311–316
BFS Bundesamt für Statistik (2001) Arealstatistik der Schweiz 1992/1997. Neuchatel
Bürgi M (1999) A case study of forest change in the Swiss lowlands. Landscape Ecol 14:567–575. doi:10.1023/A:1008168209725
Caspersen JP, Pacala SW, Jenkins JC, Hurtt GC, Moorcroft PR, Birdsey RA (2000) Contributions of land-use history to carbon accumulation in US forests. Science 290:1148–1151. doi:10.1126/science.290.5494.1148
Cramer W, Kicklighter DW, Bondeau A, Moore BIII, Churkina G, Nemry B, Ruimy A, Schloss AL, NPP Participants Potsdam Model Intercomparison (1999) Comparing global models of terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP): overview and key results. Glob Change Biol 5(Suppl1):1–15. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2486.1999.00009.x
Erb K-J (2004) Land-use related changes in aboveground carbon stocks of Austria’s terrestrial ecosystems. Ecosystems 7:563–572. doi:10.1007/s10021-004-0234-4 (NY, Print)
Fang JY, Oikawa T, Kato T, Mo W, Wang Z (2005) Biomass carbon accumulation by Japan’s forests from 1947 to 1995. Global Biogeochem Cycles 19:GB2004. doi:10.1029/2004GB002253
Frehner M, Wasser B, Schwitter R (2005) Nachhaltigkeit und Erfolgskontrolle im Schutzwald Wegleitung für Pflegemassnahmen in Wäldern mit Schutzfunktion. Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU, Bern
Friedlingstein P, Cox P, Betts R, Bopp L, Von Bloh W, Brovkin V, Cadule P, Doney S, Eby M, Fung I, Bala G, John J, Jones C, Joos F, Kato T, Kawamiya M, Knorr W, Lindsay K, Matthews HD, Raddatz T, Rayner P, Reick C, Roeckner E, Schnitzler KG, Schnur R, Strassmann K, Weaver AJ, Yoshikawa C, Zeng N (2006) Climate-carbon cycle feedback analysis: results from the (CIMP)-M-4 model intercomparison. J Clim 19:3337–3353. doi:10.1175/JCLI3800.1
Fuhrer J, Beniston M, Fischlin A, Frei C, Goyette S, Jasper K, Pfister C (2006) Climate risks and their impact on agriculture and forests in Switzerland. Clim Change 79:79–102. doi:10.1007/s10584-006-9106-6
Gimmi U, Bürgi M (2007) Using oral history and forest management plans to reconstruct traditional non-timber forest uses in the Swiss Rhone valley (Valais). Environ Hist 13:211–246. doi:10.3197/096734007780473492
Gimmi U, Bürgi M, Stuber M (2008) Reconstructing anthropogenic disturbance regimes in forest ecosystems: a case study from the Swiss Rhone valley. Ecosystems 11:113–124. doi:10.1007/s10021-007-9111-2 (NY, Print)
Gingrich S, Erb K-J, Krausmann F, Gaube V, Haberl H (2007) Long-term dynamics of terrestrial carbon stocks in Austria: a comprehensive assessment of the time period from 1830 to 2000. Reg Environ Change 7:37–47. doi:10.1007/s10113-007-0024-6
Goodale CL, Apps MJ, Birdsey RS, Field CB, Heath LS, Houghton RA, Jenkins JC, Kohlmaier GH, Kurz W, Liu S, Nabuurs G-J, Nilsson S, Shvidenko AZ (2002) Forest carbon sinks in the northern hemisphere. Ecol Appl 12:891–899. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(2002)012[0891:FCSITN]2.0.CO;2
Hickler T, Smith B, Sykes MT, Davis MB, Sugita S, Walker K (2004) Using a generalized vegetation model to simulate vegetation dynamics in northeastern USA. Ecology 85:519–530. doi:10.1890/02-0344
Houghton RA, Hackler JL, Lawrence KT (1999) The US carbon budget: contributions from land-use change. Science 285:547–578. doi:10.1126/science.285.5427.574
Houghton RA, Hackler JL (2000) Changes in terrestrial carbon storage in the United States. 1. The roles of agriculture and forestry. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 9:125–144. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2699.2000.00166.x
Houghton RA, Hackler JL, Lawrence KT (2000) Changes in terrestrial carbon storage in the United States. 2. The role of fire and fire management. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 9:145–170. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2699.2000.00164.x
Houghton RA, Hackler JL (2003) Sources and sinks of carbon from land-use changes in China. Global Biogeochem Cycles 17:1034. doi:10.1029/2002GB001970
Kauppi PE, Mielikainen K, Kuusela K (1992) Biomass and carbon budget of European forests, 1971 to 1990. Science 256:70–74. doi:10.1126/science.256.5053.70
Koca D, Smith B, Sykes MT (2006) Modelling regional climate change effects on potential natural ecosystems in Sweden. Clim Change 78:381–406. doi:10.1007/s10584-005-9030-1
Luyssaert S, Inglima I, Jung M, Richardson AD, Reichsteins M, Papale D, Piao SL, Schulzes ED, Wingate L, Matteucci G, Aragao L, Aubinet M, Beers C, Bernhoffer C, Black KG, Bonal D, Bonnefond JM, Chambers J, Ciais P, Cook B, Davis KJ, Dolman AJ, Gielen B, Goulden M, Grace J, Granier A, Grelle A, Griffis T, Grunwald T, Guidolotti G, Hanson PJ, Harding R, Hollinger DY, Hutyra LR, Kolar P, Kruijt B, Kutsch W, Lagergren F, Laurila T, Law BE, Le Maire G, Lindroth A, Loustau D, Malhi Y, Mateus J, Migliavacca M, Misson L, Montagnani L, Moncrieff J, Moors E, Munger JW, Nikinmaa E, Ollinger SV, Pita G, Rebmann C, Roupsard O, Saigusa N, Sanz MJ, Seufert G, Sierra C, Smith ML, Tang J, Valentini R, Vesala T, Janssens IA (2007) CO2 balance of boreal, temperate, and tropical forests from a global database. Glob Change Biol 13:2509–2537. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01439.x
Magniani F, Mencuccini M, Borghetti M, Berbigier P, Berninger F, Delzon S, Grelle A, Hari P, Jarvis PG, Kolari P, Kowalski AS, Lankreijer H, Law BE, Lindroth A, Loustau D, Manca G, Moncrieff JB, Rayment M, Tedeschi V, Valentini R, Grace J (2007) The human footprint in the carbon cycle of temperate and boreal forests. Nature 447:848–850
Mitchell TD, Carter TR, Jones PD, Hulme M, New M (2004) A comprehensive set of high-resolution grids of monthly climate for Europe and the globe: the observed record (1901–2000) and 16 scenarios (2001–2100). July 2004. Working Paper 55. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. University of East Anglia, Norwich
Morales P, Sykes MT, Prentice CI, Smith P, Smith B, Bugmann H, Zierl B, Friedlingstein P, Viovy N, Sabate S, Sanchez A, Pla E, Gracia C, Sitch S, Arneth A, Ogee J (2005) Comparing and evaluating process-based ecosystem model predictions of carbon and water fluxes in major European forest biomes. Glob Change Biol 11:1–23. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2005.01036.x
Morales P, Hickler T, Rowell DP, Smith B, Sykes MT (2007) Changes in European ecosystem productivity and carbon balance driven by regional climate model output. Glob Change Biol 13:108–122. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01289.x
Myneni RB, Dong J, Tucker CJ, Kaufmann K, Kauppi PE, Liski J, Zhou L, Alexeyev V, Hughes MK (2001) A large carbon sink in the woody biomass of Northern forests. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98:14784–14789. doi:10.1073/pnas.261555198
Naabuurs G-J, Schelhaas M-J, Mohren GMJ, Field CG (2003) Temporal evolution of the European forest sector carbon sink from 1950 to 1999. Glob Change Biol 9:152–160. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2486.2003.00570.x
Nilsson C, Stjernquist I, Bärring L, Schlyter P, Jönsson AM, Samuelsson H (2004) Recorded storm damage in Swedish forests 1901–2000. For Ecol Manage 199:165–173
Olson JS, Watts JA, Allison LJ (1983) Carbon in live vegetation of major world ecosystems. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge
Penman J, Gytarsky M, Hiraishi T, Krug T, Kruger D, Pipatti R, Buendia L, Miwa K, Ngara T, Tanabe K, Wagner F (2003) Good practice guidance for land use, land use change and forestry. IGES_IPCC, Hyama
Perruchoud DO, Fischlin A (1995) The response of the carbon cycle in undisturbed forest ecosystems to climate change: a review of plant-soil models. J Biogeogr 22:759–774. doi:10.2307/2845978
Schütz J-P, Goetz M, Schmid W, Mandallaz D (2006) Vulnerability of spruce (Picea abies) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest stands to storm and consequences for silviculture. Eur J For Res 125:291–302. doi:10.1007/s10342-006-0111-0
Sitch S, Smith B, Prentice IC, Arneth A, Bondeau A, Cramer W, Kaplan JO, Levis S, Lucht W, Sykes MT, Thonicke K, Venevsky S (2003) Evaluation of ecosystem dynamics, plant geography and terrestrial carbon cycling in the LPJ dynamic global vegetation model. Glob Change Biol 9:161–185. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2486.2003.00569.x
Smith B, Prentice IC, Sykes MT (2001) Representation of vegetation dynamics in the modelling of terrestrial ecosystems: comparing two contrasting approaches within European climate space. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 10:621–637
Thürig E, Schmid S (2008) Jährliche CO2-Flüsse im Wald: Berechnungsmethode für das Treibhausgasinventar. Schweiz Z Forstwesen 159:31–38
Waring RH, Schlesinger WH (1985) Forest ecosystems: concepts and management. Academic Press, Orlando
Woodbury PB, Heath LS, Smith JE (2006) Land use change effects on forest carbon cycling throughout the southern United States. J Environ Qual 35:1348–1363. doi:10.2134/jeq2005.0148
Acknowledgments
This work is supported by the National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) in Climate funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. We would like to thank the team of the forest district of Einsiedeln and the OAK Schwyz for making available the historical sources and fruitful discussions. Further, we thank Shelley Schmidt for her assistance in editing the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gimmi, U., Wolf, A., Bürgi, M. et al. Quantifying disturbance effects on vegetation carbon pools in mountain forests based on historical data. Reg Environ Change 9, 121–130 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-008-0071-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-008-0071-7