[Terrapreta] Earthen Kilns Conjecture

[Greg and April]

That my friend, is much about what I'm talking about!

I will add that going in every so often ( I would say every year ) and totally clearing a acre or two in a random pattern, promotes healthy forest by increasing species diversification - it increases not only plant species, but also animal species that relies on the plants that come about from the increased light than reaches the forest floor.

I would say a 30 year ( or more ) rotation ( with a few areas always kept clear and several area never touched ), depending on the species and the forest type.

Greg H.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sean K. Barry 
  To: Greg and April 
  Cc: terrapreta 
  Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 15:14
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Earthen Kilns Conjecture


  Hi Greg,

  Culling (selective cutting) in an old growth forest, to remove diseased trees, suckers, smaller than 3" diameter trees, and such isn't a bad idea at all, I don't think.   The forest arisings can be a significant source of biomass.  Removal of dead and decaying woody biomass can also reduce the fire danger by removing the easy fuel.

  As I have understood forest growth, young forests have fast growing trees and little decay.  The older, larger trees in older, more mature forests do use less CO2 per pound, if you will, than smaller, younger trees, but large trees still take up large amounts of CO2 during the growing season.  The other effect of decay in old growth forests is what makes them less able to sequester carbon than younger forests.  They lose CO2 to decay almost as fast or faster in some places than the CO2 taken up by the trees when they are growning.

  Regards,

  SKB

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