[Terrapreta] CO2 rising

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Brian,

Vision for the future is inspiring.  Historical perspective can be enlightening.

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Brian Hans<mailto:bhans at earthmimic.com> 
  To: Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:36 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] CO2 rising


  This is not a full 'study'. No methodology, conclusion, data... but the results are obvious in my opinion...forests and especially old growth forests are not carbon sinks. 

  Prairie is a carbon sink because its producing soil, forests arnt producing soils. This important distinction gets blurred with the advent of TP...whereas forest can INFACT become soil forming carbon sinks. But...so can prairies, deserts, boreal, your herb garden in the back...etc thru the advent of TP. 

  The real concept that needs to be taken out of the study is that if we manage the forest (and other ecosystems) by harvesting selectively and producing lumber and other fixed carbon forest products, maybe even terra preta...that forest becomes a carbon SINK again because its actively sinking carbon y/y in the form of new wood and the old wood isnt digesting to produce CO2 to replace the new growth. This becomes the argument for a sustainable ecosystem utilizing green products like lumber, strawbale houses, bio-oil products (plastic made from bio-oil = carbon sink), Miscanthus particle board, fine wood furniture, toilet paper and paper bags, carbon fiber aeroplane wings, Carbon nano-tube batteries and buckyballs... 

  I would agree with your analysis Lou. 

  Brian Hans

  lou gold <lou.gold at gmail.com> wrote:
    WOW, it's really interesting to follow all the links from the Biopact articles. The only clear agreement that I can see is that although  existing forests reach sort of an equilibrium in which there's an uncertain carbon sink -- more of a give and take, sometimes more and sometimes less -- the accelerated release from deforestation and burning are big problems. 

    It strikes me that Kyoto's narrow focus on measurable carbon may not really capture the complex interaction between forests and climate. Gives me something to ponder, for sure.  Thanks for the links.

    lou 




    On 9/20/07, Brian Hans <bhans at earthmimic.com<mailto:bhans at earthmimic.com>> wrote: 
      Here is one study on the topic...not done yet. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00051.htm <http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00051.htm>

      I believe the specific study Code is refering to is on Biopact
      http://biopact.com/2006/11/idea-that-forests-are-carbon-sinks-no.html<http://biopact.com/2006/11/idea-that-forests-are-carbon-sinks-no.html>


  _______________________________________________
  Terrapreta mailing list
  Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
  http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/
  http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
  http://info.bioenergylists.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: /pipermail/terrapreta_bioenergylists.org/attachments/20070920/33c3dfae/attachment-0001.html