Forest managers in the Pacific Northwest face the challenge of balancing timber harvests with maximizing carbon storage. Carbon stored in forests helps offset climate change — U.S. forests absorb about 13% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. That makes effective forest management essential for environmental and community well-being.
Researchers in the Oregon State University College of Forestry studied how forest harvest strategies affect above-ground carbon sequestration. The research focused on the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, where they modeled more than 300 forest stands with different productivity levels.
Using the Forest Vegetation Simulator and forest inventory data, researchers tested different harvest rotation lengths and thinning treatments to see which combinations stored the most carbon.
They found that:
- Highly productive stands stored the most carbon with 60-year rotations and low-intensity thinning at year 40.
- Moderately productive stands performed best with 80-year rotations and two rounds of low-intensity thinning.
- Less productive sites maximized carbon with 80-year or 120-year rotations, without thinning or with minimal intervention.
These findings offer practical tools for forest managers. They show how harvest strategies can meet timber goals — while increasing carbon sequestration and supporting long-term forest health.
By aligning economic and environmental goals, these strategies benefit communities, ecosystems and climate resilience across the region.