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Seasonal carbon flux variations in temperate forests in southern Sweden

Hirth, Lotta Linnea LU (2025) In Student thesis series INES NGEM01 20251
Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Abstract
Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering 29% of anthropogenic emissions. However, their sink capacity is highly sensitive to climate-induced disturbances, such as weather extremes, which can cause significant interannual variations in Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE). With environmental stressors likely to become more frequent, understanding the drivers behind carbon exchange variability between forest ecosystems and the atmosphere becomes increasingly important.
This study examines carbon flux estimates during the growing season over six years (2018
2023) in two temperate forests in southern Sweden, managed through rotation forestry
(Hyltemossa) and continuous cover forestry (Rumperöd). The results reveal... (More)
Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering 29% of anthropogenic emissions. However, their sink capacity is highly sensitive to climate-induced disturbances, such as weather extremes, which can cause significant interannual variations in Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE). With environmental stressors likely to become more frequent, understanding the drivers behind carbon exchange variability between forest ecosystems and the atmosphere becomes increasingly important.
This study examines carbon flux estimates during the growing season over six years (2018
2023) in two temperate forests in southern Sweden, managed through rotation forestry
(Hyltemossa) and continuous cover forestry (Rumperöd). The results reveal significant
interannual and seasonal variations in carbon fluxes, with Hyltemossa showing higher
sensitivity to drought conditions, particularly in years with below-average precipitation, such as 2018 and 2023. During these years, a decline in NEE was primarily driven by reduced GPP, especially in Hyltemossa, where conifers struggled to maintain carbon uptake under soil moisture deficits. In contrast, Rumperöd with its mixed forest composition, exhibited more stable fluxes, due to more consistent soil moisture levels and its ability to buffer against drier periods.
These findings emphasize the complex interactions between climatic variables and differently managed forests in influencing carbon fluxes. Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting future ecosystem responses to climate change and improving forest management strategies to enhance carbon sequestration. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Hirth, Lotta Linnea LU
supervisor
organization
course
NGEM01 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Physical Geography, Ecosystem Analysis, Flux anomalies, Climate variability, Net Ecosystem Exchange, Eddy-Covariance, Forest management
publication/series
Student thesis series INES
report number
688
language
English
id
9188933
date added to LUP
2025-06-02 09:22:01
date last changed
2025-06-02 09:22:01
@misc{9188933,
  abstract     = {{Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering 29% of anthropogenic emissions. However, their sink capacity is highly sensitive to climate-induced disturbances, such as weather extremes, which can cause significant interannual variations in Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE). With environmental stressors likely to become more frequent, understanding the drivers behind carbon exchange variability between forest ecosystems and the atmosphere becomes increasingly important. 
This study examines carbon flux estimates during the growing season over six years (2018
2023) in two temperate forests in southern Sweden, managed through rotation forestry 
(Hyltemossa) and continuous cover forestry (Rumperöd). The results reveal significant 
interannual and seasonal variations in carbon fluxes, with Hyltemossa showing higher 
sensitivity to drought conditions, particularly in years with below-average precipitation, such as 2018 and 2023. During these years, a decline in NEE was primarily driven by reduced GPP, especially in Hyltemossa, where conifers struggled to maintain carbon uptake under soil moisture deficits. In contrast, Rumperöd with its mixed forest composition, exhibited more stable fluxes, due to more consistent soil moisture levels and its ability to buffer against drier periods.
These findings emphasize the complex interactions between climatic variables and differently managed forests in influencing carbon fluxes. Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting future ecosystem responses to climate change and improving forest management strategies to enhance carbon sequestration.}},
  author       = {{Hirth, Lotta Linnea}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Student thesis series INES}},
  title        = {{Seasonal carbon flux variations in temperate forests in southern Sweden}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}