Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

A CO2 Concentration Gradient Facility for Testing CO2 Enrichment and Soil Effects on Grassland Ecosystem Function
Published on: November 21, 2015
Managed rainforests support higher carbon density and sequestration in the Congo Basin
Le Bienfaiteur Sagang1,2, Ricardo Dalagnol3, Lee White4,5
1Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. sagang.bienfaiteur@yahoo.fr.
Abstract:
Land-use is a key driver of forest loss and aboveground live carbon (AGC) emissions in the Congo Basin (CB) rainforest. Here we evaluate the influence of land-use disturbances on AGC stocks and fluxes by developing an AGC density map for the year 2020 and integrating it with high-resolution forest cover change data spanning 30 years (1990-2020) to quantify carbon emissions and removals. Logged forests show 8% (5%-10%) less AGC compared to old growth, while slash-and-burn and unmanaged degradations display up to 50% differences. Unmanaged areas account for 54% of the region's AGC storage. Old growth dominates the total AGC removals (84%) with the region functioning as a net AGC sink at -37.5 ± 4.8 TgCyr1, driven by logging concessions (-21.3 ± 2.4 TgCyr-1) and protected areas (-15.7 ± 2.2 TgCyr-1), while unmanaged areas remained nearly neutral. These findings emphasize the role of sustainable forests management to enhance carbon retention in the region.
Related Concept Videos
The Carbon Cycle
Global Climate Change
Microbes and Climate Change
Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Responses to Drought and Flooding
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...

