Liana cutting in selectively logged forests increases both carbon sequestration and timber yields
This study shows that cutting lianas from future crop trees in selectively logged forests can double tree growth, increase carbon sequestration, and improve timber yields. As a low‑cost natural climate solution, targeted liana removal offers significant climate mitigation benefits while supporting sustainable forest management across tropical and temperate regions.
Subject Tags
- Natural climate solutions
- Carbon storage
- Forest
Abstract
Infestations of trees by woody climbing plants (i.e., lianas) are common and increasing in an estimated 250 Mha of the 1 billion hectares of mixed-species tropical and temperate forest subjected to selective logging. Cutting lianas that impede the growth of future crop trees (FCTs) in these forests would sequester carbon at low cost and increase timber yields. We estimate that application of this treatment to five liana-infested FCTs per hectare across the 250 Mha of selectively logged forest would result in 0.8 PgCO2 of additional carbon removals by the liberated trees over 30 years at a direct cost of well less than $1.00 MgCO2−1. The same treatment could also be applied in forests not destined for logging where liana infestations were exacerbated by prior anthropogenic disturbances. If the numbers of trees liberated from lianas is kept small, undesired impacts on biodiversity will be minimized.
Citation
Putz, F. E., Cayetano, D. T., Belair, E. P., Ellis, P. W., Roopsind, A., Griscom, B. W., ... & Romero, C. (2023). Liana cutting in selectively logged forests increases both carbon sequestration and timber yields. Forest Ecology and Management, 539, 121038.
TNC Authors
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Peter Ellis
Email: pellis@TNC.ORG -
Ethan Belair
The Nature Conservancy