Analysis of temporal and spatial changes in carbon accumulation: the case of arac forest planning unit

Forest ecosystems are among the most important carbon sinks in mitigating the effects of climate change. This study evaluates the effects of forest dynamics on carbon retention potential and aims to contribute to forest planning processes. It examines changes in biomass and carbon stocks between the 1988 and 2014 planning periods of the Araç Forest Management Chiefdom. The calculations were carried out using internationally accepted coefficients and methods, and the temporal and spatial distribution of biomass and carbon was mapped with the help of GIS. Over the 26 year period under review, the total biomass increased by 89.81%, rising from 849,635.33 Mg to 1,612,663.10 Mg. Similarly, carbon stock increased by 57.74%, from 1,243,650.00 Mg to 1,961,730.69 Mg. In both years, the largest share of total carbon originated from soil organic carbon (59.44% in 1988 and 51.03% in 2014), followed by aboveground biomass (26.63% and 33.04%), belowground biomass (7.93% and 10.86%), litter (5.75% and 4.77%), and deadwood carbon (0.25% and 0.29%), respectively. The average annual carbon sequestration was calculated as 2.76 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, comprising 1.22 Mg from aboveground biomass, 1.01 Mg from soil, 0.44 Mg from belowground biomass, 0.08 Mg from litter, and 0.01 Mg from deadwood. The findings suggest that increasing silvicultural practices, selecting appropriate species in afforestation, and reducing anthropogenic pressures are essential for enhancing the carbon retention and biomass capacity of forests. Ensuring the sustainability of carbon pools in terrestrial ecosystems plays a key role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.