Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 11.2.1 Carbon in the natural biomes
Carbon
source or
sink
Where
carbon is
mostly stored
Vegetation
growth
Vegetation
decomposition
Current carbon
storage (t/ha)
Main threats for potential
carbon emission
Tundra
slow
slow
sink
258
permafrost
rising temperatures
Boreal forest
slow
slow
sink
soil: 116-343
vegetation: 61-93
soil
fi res, logging, mining
Temperate
forest
fast
fast
sink
156-320
biomass
above and
below ground
historical losses high but
largely ceased
Temperate
grassland
intermediate
slow
likely sink
soil: 113
vegetation: 8
soil
historical losses high but
largely ceased
Desert and
dry shrubland
slow
slow
sink (but
uncertain)
desert soil: 14-102
dryland soil < 226
vegetation: 2-30
soil
land degradation
Savanna and
tropical
grassland
fast
fast
sink
soil: < 174
vegetation: < 88
soil
fi res with subsequent
conversion to pasture or
grazing land
Tropical
forest
fast
fast
sink
soil: 94-191
vegetation: 170-250
above ground
vegetation
deforestation and forest
degradation
Peatland
slow
slow
sink
1,450
soil
drainage, conversion, fi re
 
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