Researchers from the University of Vermont have discovered that fallen logs in streams are “unsung climate heroes” that store significant amounts of carbon. The study, published in the journal Ecosystems, found that large, downed trees in streams and old-growth forests tie up large stores of carbon. The researchers suggest that these trees can be a significant carbon sink, releasing stored carbon more slowly due to their lower surface-area-to-volume ratio.
The study used data from two field sites: Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire and old-growth forests in the Adirondack State Park of New York. The researchers spent three summers surveying wood in streams, measuring its size to calculate the amount of carbon it held, and inventorying the surrounding streamside forests.
The study’s findings suggest that large, fallen logs and branches can be significant carbon sinks, and that these trees can play a crucial role in storing carbon in forests. The researchers also note that many mature New England forests are only halfway through their long recovery from 19th- and 20th-century clearing, and that these forests will continue to suck up and accumulate stored carbon for many decades to come.