Carbon, harvest yields, and residues from restoration in a mixed forest on California’s coast range

We simulated growth and yield over a century of restoration activities in a mixed evergreen conifer stand in northern California. Our goal was to compare ecosystem products and services, namely carbon storage, harvest yields, and residue production, among restoration-oriented silvicultural prescriptions promoting conifer dominance. We compared individual-tree selection and group selection with replanting conifers after clearcutting and “no harvest” scenarios. Ignoring risk of wildfire or forest health problems, we found that the crowded, untreated stand stored the most carbon per acre in live trees. Among the scenarios involving harvesting, high-density individual-tree selection had the greatest carbon storage because the higher density afforded high levels of production and storage of carbon in live trees. Conversion toward conifer dominance was rapid when conifers were replanted after clearcutting or low-density individual-tree selection (preferentially removing hardwood while releasing existing and planted conifers). Group selection had high harvest yields. Implementing group selection and managing the forested matrix between openings gave a steadier flow of sawlogs and residues; however, less carbon was being stored per acre in live trees growing vigorously within and between openings. Implementing an assortment of these prescriptions would provide an ongoing supply of logs and residues around which processing infrastructure and markets could develop.