Carbon budget of the Russian boreal forests: a systems analysis approach to uncertainty

Abstract

The total land area of the Russian boreal zone is 1527.6 Mha, including 1143.0 Mha of Forest Fund areas and 735.8 Mha of forested areas. These estimates are based on Forest State Account data (Goscomles SSSR 1990, 1991). Forest Fund areas include forest land and nonforest land. Forest land is in turn divided into forested areas, covered by closed forests, and unforested areas, designated for forests but temporarily without a forest (sparse forests, burnt areas and dead stands, grassy glades). Non-forest land is represented by unproductive land, such as bogs, rocks, sand, and glaciers, and by land with special uses (forest roads, water reservoirs, and relatively small areas of arable lands, pastures farms, etc., situated on Forest Fund areas). For a more detailed description see, e.g., Nilsson et al. (1992). Nearly 95% of all Russian closed forests are considered boreal. Thus, the Russian boreal forests play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle