Smarter forest harvesting could balance climate benefits, wood supply and forest conservation (IMAGE)
Caption
Conceptual illustration comparing China's current forest harvesting practices (business-as-usual, BAU, left) with an optimized management strategy (OPT, right). Under current management, restrictions on timber harvesting favor the accumulation of standing biomass but may also contribute to forest aging, increasing tree mortality and limited domestic wood production.
The optimized strategy adjusts harvesting intensity, timing and location according to forest age, management objectives and ecological constraints. It also allows carefully regulated timber production in suitable multifunctional forests while maintaining restrictions in ecologically sensitive forests.
Green plus signs indicate increases, red minus signs indicate decreases or reductions, and blue symbols indicate neutral effects in the conceptual framework. The illustration highlights how age-structured and spatially targeted harvesting could reduce aging-related mortality, improve domestic wood supply and enhance long-term carbon retention without compromising designated conservation functions.
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