Simulation of the carbon budget for different scenarios of forest management

The effect of different scenarios of forest management on the carbon budget in forest ecosystems of the Dankovskii forest (Moscow oblast) is analyzed with the use of the EFIMOD model of the soil-forest vegetation system. Four scenarios of long-term (200 years) forest management have been simulated: (a) natural development, (b) existing practice (business-as-usual), (c) selective cutting, and (d) illegal cutting. The maximum sequestration of carbon in the forest ecosystem is predicted for the scenario of natural development. Forest cutting reduces carbon sequestration in the ecosystem. Only selective cutting ensures a net carbon sink in the ecosystem. Illegal forest cuttings result in a negative carbon budget in the ecosystem.