Reforestation with Impacts on Carbon Stocks in Boreal Forest Ecosystem

Clear-cutting ceases the formation of foliage and root litter in trees with the consequent decline of soil carbon. Clear-cutting reduces soil carbon stocks most in the forest floor (litter, humus) but also deeper in the soil profile. The preexisting litter and humus decline until carbon uptake recovers in ground vegetation (shrubs, herbs, grasses). Consequent reforestation with enhancing growth of seedlings further increases the recovery of soil carbon stocks and slows down the loss of soil carbon. Tree species selection and reforestation practices such as planting density determine the rate of carbon sequestration and stocking in soil after clear-cutting. Tree species also affect the sequestration and stocking of soil carbon depending on the amount and quality of litter. Litterfall and harvesting residues further affect the carbon stocks in the litter layer and mineral soil, thus maintaining the soil detritus or humus layer below the surface litter layer. Deeper in the soil profile, the impacts on carbon density are smaller and occur over the long term.