For forests to effectively store carbon, they must first be able to survive
Carbon in forest soil plays several crucial roles: it supports wood production, enhances nutrient availability, and improves soil structure. Additionally, it increases the soil’s capacity to retain and filter water, fosters soil biodiversity, and serves as a significant reservoir important for climate regulation.
Organic matter fundamentally affects the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, contributing to its stability and resilience against disturbances.
Photo: Disaster recovery in a forest of beech, oak, and wild cherry. Author: Jan Řezáč
The issue of carbon storage in forest soils has been investigated by scientists from the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute (VÚLHM, v. v. i.), along with partners from the Czech University of Life Sciences and the IFER – Institute for Forest Ecosystem Research, s. r. o. They participated in the project titled “Quantification of Carbon Stocks in Forest Soils of the Czech Republic and the Possibility of Influencing Them through Forestry Management” /Kvantifikace zásob uhlíku v lesních půdách ČR a možnost jejího ovlivnění lesnickým managementem/ (TAČR SS06010148). Protecting current carbon stocks and potentially increasing them in forest soils offers multiple benefits. Notably, more carbon is stored in the soil than in both vegetation and the atmosphere combined. It is estimated that 70% of the world’s carbon stored in soils is found in the 30% of the Earth’s surface that is covered by forests. In boreal forests, carbon in the soil accounts for approximately 60% of the total ecosystem carbon stock, about 50% in temperate forests, and around 30% in tropical forests.
Photo: The wild cherry is a promising native tree species. Author Jan Řezáč
Of all the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted into the atmosphere, only about half remains in it; the other half is removed through natural storage systems on land, mainly via vegetation through photosynthesis, and in the oceans through diffusion. Therefore, the impact of emissions on climate change is significantly reduced due to the existence of these natural storage systems. Terrestrial carbon storage is primarily supported by forests. Additionally, the climatic functions of soil influence other greenhouse gases beyond CO₂ – forest ecosystems also play a role in the emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia.
The organic matter content in soil enhances its field water capacity, increasing the amount of water retained, particularly in sandy soils. This improvement contributes to a forest’s resilience against drought, aids in flood prevention, and indirectly influences the microclimate, as soil moisture helps to moderate temperature fluctuations both daily and seasonally.
Furthermore, organic matter positively impacts other physical soil properties, such as the quantity and stability of soil aggregates and porosity, which together improve the soil’s resistance to erosion. The presence of surface layers is also crucial for erosion control, as these layers absorb the kinetic energy of raindrops, enhance water infiltration, and reduce surface runoff.
The importance of overlying horizons in soil may exceed that of the tree canopy. Removing soil cover can increase soil erosion by 10 to 100 times, whereas removing tree canopy without disturbing the soil cover typically raises erosion rates by only a few tens of percent.
Photo: Starting of erosion on forest road. Author Jan Řezáč
Carbon in the soil serves as a crucial source of energy and nutrients, as well as a habitat for various soil organisms. Generally, richer communities of microorganisms are found in nutrient-rich environments. The type of humus present also influences the undergrowth and the dominant types of mycorrhizae. Therefore, the amount of organic carbon in soil can be a useful indicator of soil biodiversity.
This multifunctionality highlights a significant advantage of soil carbon sequestration compared to other climate mitigation strategies or carbon dioxide capture techniques. It also strengthens the case for protecting existing soil carbon stocks. The stability of carbon can be notably influenced by certain forest management practices, particularly those concerning the management of logging residues and the afforestation of non-forest areas.
The choice of management methods, forest restoration procedures, and tree species can significantly influence forest outcomes. However, the effectiveness of these approaches may vary depending on the location. Maintaining the stability and vitality of forest stands is crucial, as soil carbon stocks are most affected by major disturbances such as fires, windstorms, or insect infestations that disrupt the forest canopy.
Currently, forests’ ability to absorb carbon is recognized as an important societal function, often referred to as ecosystem services in the Czech Republic. However, financing for these services has not yet been established. Implementing carbon offset projects may provide a viable opportunity in this context. These projects currently focus on capturing carbon in the above-ground biomass of forests, a process that can be measured with satisfactory accuracy. On the other hand, including forest soils in carbon offset initiatives requires further research and monitoring. This need is acknowledged in the new EU directive on soil monitoring and resilience.
Photo: Afforesting steep slopes is crucial for their stability. The tear in the left corner poses a danger, as it may lead to a gradual landslide during heavy rain. Author Jan Řezáč
Forestry offsets can be understood as a financially valued set of forestry practices that increase carbon absorption in forests and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, there is no obligation for companies to compensate for their carbon footprint, but voluntary projects are beginning to emerge that indicate the potential future direction of these offsets. One such project was implemented by Lesy Colloredo-Mannsfeld, s. r. o.
In the future, forestry offset projects could play a significant role in adapting forest ecosystems to climate change. Their success will largely depend on the regulations established by the European Commission. However, these regulations and the parameters set for offset projects may present several challenges, such as unrealistic requirements, the balance between active forest management and a no-intervention approach, the need for additional certification systems, and the risk of greenwashing.
In the Czech Republic, there is significant potential for projects under Improved Forest Management (IFM), which have been shown to positively impact carbon storage in forests. Implementing these projects can substantially reduce state expenditures on supporting the creation and implementation of adaptation measures in the forestry sector. Funding for these initiatives can be sourced from various avenues, including industrial enterprises, developers, and the banking sector. For landowners, it is crucial to carefully select a credible platform and a trustworthy, stable partner.
Photo: Disaster clearing afforested with beech, oak, wild cherry. Author Jan Řezáč
The adaptation of Czech forests to climate change involves prioritizing natural regeneration, which is reliant on a significant reduction in wildlife pressure. Additionally, it requires the application of gentler management methods and a continuous shift in tree species composition toward stands that are diverse in species and age, enhancing their resistance to climate extremes. A well-adapted, functional, and resilient forest is the only true long-term guarantee of fulfilling all socially expected functions, including carbon storage. However, in the face of a changing climate, storing carbon becomes a secondary concern; a forest that cannot survive will not be able to store anything.
Based on the proceedings of the seminar titled “Carbon in Forest Soils: Ecological Significance, Monitoring, Potential for Climate Change Mitigation, and the Impact of Forestry Management on Carbon Stocks” (Uhlík v lesních půdách, jeho ekologický význam, monitoring, potenciál pro mitigaci změn klimatu a možnost ovlivnění jeho zásob lesnickým hospodařením), held in Průhonice on March 25, 2026. The proceedings can be downloaded here.
Prepared by Jan Řezáč, VÚLHM, v. v. i., rezac@vulhm.cz