Oregon Forests: A Key Role in the State’s Carbon Picture (preliminary results) Oregon Forests: A Key Role in the State’s Carbon Picture

First time forests will be accounted for in the state’s carbon picture Only reporting sector that both emits carbon and grows carbon stocks All data still in peer review. Should have work completed in next 3 months Do not cite or circulate

All data sorted by six eco-regions . . . Coast Ranges Klamath Western Cascades Eastern Cascades Blue Mountain Northwest Basin . . . then analyzed by forestland owner in the six eco-regions: National Forest System National Park Service BLM State Private Industrial Private Non-Industrial (family forests) “Other”

. . . Oregon forests play a central role At preliminary glance . . . Gross carbon gain/yr from forests: 88 million metric tons CO2e Net carbon loss/yr from forests: 58 million metric tons CO2e (~97% of annual emissions from all other sectors) ~23 million metric tons CO2e in tree mortality (83% on NFS lands) ~35 million metric tons CO2e in forest removal (73% on private industrial lands) Net carbon gain/yr from forests: 30 million metric tons CO2e (~ 50% of all annual emissions in the state) . . . Oregon forests play a central role

74% of statewide forest net carbon gains come from three eco-regions Gross carbon growth = ~ 66 million metric tons CO2e/yr Carbon loss/yr = ~ 44 million metric tons CO2e Net carbon gain/yr = ~ 22 million metric tons CO2e 74% of statewide forest net carbon gains come from three eco-regions Blue Mountain eco-region: 27% of all state forestland acres West Cascades eco-region: 22% of all state forestland acres

Average annual CO2e emissions from fire Acres burned don’t tell the story . . . 2002: ~600,000 acres burned in south western Oregon (emissions from fire = 10% of all other sector emissions that year) 2007: ~200,000 acres burned northeast and southeast Oregon 2012: ~1 million acres burned in southeast Oregon Why the difference? Comparable