Increased carbon sequestration by a boreal deciduous forest in years with a warm spring

Abstract

A boreal deciduous forest in Saskatchewan, Canada, sequestered 144±65, 80±60, 116±35 and 290±50 g C m −2 y −1 in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The increased carbon sequestration was the result of a warmer spring and earlier leaf emergence, which significantly increased ecosystem photosynthesis, but had little effect on respiration. The high carbon sequestration in 1998 was coincident with one of the strongest El Niño events of this century, and is considered a significant and unexpected benefit.