Calculation of CO2 net sinks emissions in Russian forests and assessment of mitigation options

A model for the calculation of CO2 sinks and emissions in boreal forests and assessment of measures designed to sequester carbon in the Russian forests is described herein. The main features of the model are: consideration of all carbon reservoirs, including above- and below-ground biomass, litter, dry stems and humus; and an explicit description of forest dynamics and processes connected with forest fires and logging. According to model calculations, Russian forests provided a net sink of CO2 from the atmosphere of 160 Mt C in the year 1993; this value has the potential to increase in the future. Mitigation options are considered in three categories: an increase of carbon sinks by re- and afforestation, management practices that reduce carbon sources, and environmental preservation projects. As a whole these options could have a mitigation effect that is more than 60 Tg C/yr, equivalent to 10% of the current technogenic CO2 emission in Russia. The realization of the potential requires huge expenses.