Long-term studies on forest growth and development in Experimental Forests, begun before climate change and carbon storage were priorities, are helping to address emerging questions about forest carbon management.

Increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has been linked to climate change and is a global concern, but forests have great potential to reduce CO2 through carbon sequestration. Forest management, aimed at supporting vigorous tree growth and minimizing tree mortality by optimizing stand stocking levels with timely removals, can influence carbon sequestration. The long-term effects of management on carbon sequestration are not yet clear because interest in managing forest carbon is an emerging field of science. 

Forest Service scientists manage a network of more than 80 experimental forests that are home to many long-term silviculture studies. These studies were established to provide information about forest growth and yield. Five studies spanning 30 to 55 years in different forest types in the northeastern and north central United States included uneven-aged management techniques that use frequent, light harvesting. The combined dataset generated from these studies provided rare insight into decades-long, broad trends in carbon sequestration when forests are managed using uneven-aged management. Findings demonstrated that uneven-aged management can have a positive effect on carbon sequestration at low stocking levels and where moisture and temperature are suitable. The study is an example of the value of long-term research on forest growth and development to provide insights on emerging global issues.