Carbon Sequestration and Forest Management: A Study of South Korean Forests’ Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

The strategic management for forests of South Korea (SK) is crucial to enhancing carbon sequestration amidst challenges such as climate change, aging forests, and socio-economic constraints. This thesis explores an integrated approach that combines scientific understanding with forestry management practices to address these issues effectively. SK's forests boast growing stock levels that surpass the OECD average, achieved through rapid greening efforts. However, these efforts have led to an overconcentration of trees within the same age group, significantly complicating sustainable carbon cycle management. Additionally, long-standing forest conservation policies have led to one of the lowest forest utilization rates globally, weakening the related timber industries and increasing reliance on timber imports, thereby contributing negatively to global climate warming. The current ownership structure, with 66% of forests being privately owned and predominantly consisting of small holdings, necessitates active participation from owners. However, many small-scale owners neglect proper management due to their residence away from their properties, leading to further forest degradation. The Korea Forest Service (KFS)’s policies aim to balance forest density and age structure to sustain and increase carbon absorption capacities. Controversies have recently challenged the basis of KFS’s policies, causing a loss of momentum in promoting forest carbon management. However, empirical evidence supports the KFS's stance by demonstrating that biomass accumulation in smaller trees (with a Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) ≤10cm) is minimal, accounting for a very small fraction of the total forest aboveground biomass Further, several scientific researches indicates that tree productivity peaks between 11-30 years, aligning with KFS claims. Structural issues arising from the age concentration of trees necessitate management interventions, as evidenced by the relative density (RD) calculations for Pinus densiflora, indicating densely packed forests beyond the self-thinning threshold. Crown closure surveys further reveal that nearly half of the forests are at the highest closure level (76%-100%), suggesting the need for artificial management. KFS's long-term plan involves harvesting about 41% of the total forest area by 2080, equating to an annual harvest of 0.68% (42,827 hectare). This practice, resulting in an annual production of 10-million m³, mirrors the forest utilization rates of leading carbon cycle management countries like Germany and Sweden, where rates around 1% do not detrimentally affect the overall stock trend. This research has scrutinized the historical and current management states of Korean forests through the lens of carbon dynamics. Dramatic rises in carbon storage in the biomass—from 36.4 Tg in 1954 to 440 Tg in 2012—follow extensive planting initiatives begun in 1973. Carbon storage in Dead Organic Matter (DOM), including soil, deadwood, and litter, has also increased, though not documented for the required 20 years of consecutive data per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. Thus, not yet contributing to annual carbon absorption figures. The harvested wood products (HWP) sector is also projected to decrease due to poor domestic production. Establishing a forest circular management system, incorporating DOM into carbon accounting, and expanding the domestic production of HWPs are proposed to counter the expected decrease in biomass carbon absorption rates.