Linking Ecosystem Variability and Carbon Sequestration: Estimation of Sequestered Carbon in Natural Forests and Perennial Crops

Abstract

Forests have a key role in climate change. One of the most important forest carbon stocks is forest soil. Globally it is estimated that forest soil carbon stock may vary from equal to twice that of forest vegetation. Because of that it is important to have estimates of soil carbon and soil biodiversity which plays a key role in soil carbon sequestration. This can be done by either through repeated measurements or by application of dynamic models. In this chapter up to date program solutions which can be used to model carbon sequestration under different forest management practices are reviewed. The application of modeling tools with the aim of sequestered carbon estimation and exploring its linkages to ecosystem variability are presented through literature review and a case study from Serbia. Moreover, possibilities of modeling carbon sequestration in perennial grass species are elaborated, emphasizing simplified ecosystem of perennial crop Miscanthus x giganteus, an attractive agro-energy crop suitable for short rotation plantation establishment, assumed as neutral for CO2, that is retained by underground organs.