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1522947 
Journal Article 
Carbon Emissions and Sequestration from Fertilization of Pine in the Southeastern United States 
Albaugh, TJ; Vance, ED; Gaudreault, C; Fox, TR; Allen, H; Stape, JL; Rubilar, RA 
2012 
Yes 
Forest Science
ISSN: 0015-749X 
Society of American Foresters 
58 
5 
419-429 
WOS:000310121700002 
We estimated net carbon emission and sequestration directly
attributable to common forest fertilization practices for pine plantations in the southeast
United States. We used data from the literature to estimate the carbon emissions associated with
the production, transportation, and application of fertilizers used for mid-rotation and early
rotation applications as well as the stem wood growth response to these applications. These data
were scaled to a regional basis with data from the literature and newly acquired fertilizer
application information. Product disposition projections were completed through 125 years (five
25-year rotations). On average, application of nitrogen with 28 kg of elemental phosphorus ha I
to mid-rotation stands sequestered 19.2 Mg ha(-1) carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents as additional
stem growth per CO2 equivalent of emissions associated with the fertilizer application. Maximum
combined emissions from forest fertilization were 0.34 Tg year(-1) CO2 equivalents in 2002,
whereas maximum sequestration was 8.70 Tg year(-1) equivalents in 2007. Sequestration lagged
emissions because of the long (up to rotation length) stem wood growth response period. After 100
years, approximately 38% of the CO2 equivalent sequestration attributed to mid-rotation
fertilization would still be in use or in a landfill, whereas 26% would have been emitted without
capturing energy and 36% would have been used as an energy source. Carbon sequestration
associated with forest fertilization was related to the area fertilized annually, which may have
fluctuated with fertilizer material and wood product prices. Capturing economic value from the
sequestered carbon would likely increase forest fertilization and consequently increase carbon
sequestration. FOR. SCI. 58(5):419-429. 
nitrogen; phosphorus; nutrition