INFLUENCE OF INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS ON THE ABSORPTION OF ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE BY FORESTS

M. L. Gitarskii

An expert assessment is derived on changes in the intensity of absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) by the Russian forest ecosystems damaged by industrial pollution. The emission impact can cause the damage to forests over the area of 1.3 million ha. The loss of the absorbing capacity of the damaged forests will amount to 165 thousand t CO2/year or less than 0.1% of the annual absorption over the forested lands of the national forest fund. The conclusion is made that industrial emissions have no significant impact on the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide by forests.