A global synthesis and conceptualization of the magnitude and duration of soil carbon losses in response to forest disturbances

Abstract

Abstract Aim Forest disturbances are increasing around the globe due to changes in climate and management, deteriorating forests' carbon sink strength. Estimates of global forest carbon budgets account for losses of plant biomass but often neglect the effects of disturbances on soil organic carbon (SOC). Here, we aimed to quantify and conceptualize SOC losses in response to different disturbance agents on a global scale. Location Global. Time Period 1983–2022. Major Taxa Studied Forest soils. Methods We conducted a comprehensive global analysis of the effects of harvesting, wildfires, windstorms and insect infestations on forest SOC stocks in the surface organic layer and top mineral soil, synthesizing 927 paired observations from 151 existing field studies worldwide. We further used global mapping to assess potential SOC losses upon disturbance. Results We found that both natural and anthropogenic forest disturbances can cause large SOC losses up to 60 Mg ha −1 . On average, the largest SOC losses were found after wildfires, followed by disturbances from windstorms, harvests and insects. However, initial carbon stock size, rather than disturbance agent, had the strongest influence on the magnitude of SOC losses. SOC losses were greatest in cold‐climate forests (boreal and mountainous regions) with large accumulations of organic matter on or near the soil surface. Negative effects are present for at least four decades post‐disturbance. In contrast, forests with small initial SOC stocks experienced quantitatively lower carbon losses, and their stocks returned to pre‐disturbance levels more quickly. Main Conclusions Our results indicate that the more carbon is stored in the forest's organic layers and top mineral soils, the more carbon will be lost after disturbance. Robust estimates of forest carbon budgets must therefore consider disturbance‐induced SOC losses, which strongly depend on site‐specific stocks. Particularly in cold‐climate forests, these disturbance‐related losses may challenge forest management efforts to sequester CO 2 .