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This paper compares the traditional vs carbon-oriented forest management of two coniferous stands in the Alpine environment, quantifying the carbon sink, the carbon credit generated and the economic results. The results show the economic feasibility of the transition from current forest management strategies to a carbon-oriented method in the considered context. Carbon-oriented management provides relevant environmental benefits, combatting climate change, even though some elements of uncertainty still persist, particularly in relation to achieving a profitable management, specifically due to the volatile voluntary carbon credit market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comment is provided on the paper by Magnani et al. on the human influences in the carbon cycle of forests, just published in Nature. The results illustrated by the paper are discussed in the context of the recent scientific and politic debate on the role of carbon sinks in mitigating climate change.

Increase in forest growth: new evidences from temperate forests. A paper recently published on PNAS provides a new evidence for an increase in forest growth in temperate forests. The possible causes of this process are discussed. The results show a relation between this change in tree growth with the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, temperature, and length of growth season. A better understanding of the specific mechanisms involved and the assessment of the consequences on the current and future global changes are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to a recent paper published in Nature (Luyssaert et al. 2008) the old-growth forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and should be considered an important carbon sink at the planetary level. This finding is discussed both in relation to the traditional hypothesis that considered the old-growth forests "neutral" in the carbon balance, and in relation to the present and future importance of this sink at the local and at the planetary level.

A paper recently published on PNAS provides a new evidence for an increase in forest growth in temperate forests. The possible causes of this process are discussed. The results show a relation between this change in tree growth with the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, temperature, and length of growth season. A better understanding of the specific mechanisms involved and the assessment of the consequences on the current and future global changes are needed.