A carbon balance assessment for containerized Larix gmelinii seedlings in the Russian Far East

Abstract A carbon balance assessment for containerized Larix gmelinii seedlings in the Russian Far East determined that the level of carbon emitted to the atmosphere as a result of inputs used in the seedling growing process exceeded the volume of carbon sequestered by the seedlings at a ratio of approximately 1:40 (one part sequestered carbon to 40 parts carbon emissions). Seedlings were raised at the Nekrasovka Greenhouse Complex, Khabarovskii krai, Russian Federation, during 1998–2000. The amount of carbon sequestered by the seedling growth prior to out-planting was determined by mass spectrometry. Seedling production resulted in an initial carbon deficit, defined as the net carbon released to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). On average, each seedling raised at the greenhouse complex brought about the emission of 76.4 g of carbon dioxide from production inputs, the equivalent of 20.8 g of carbon per seedling. Averaged over three, 1 year production cycles, the carbon content of the seedlings was approximately 0.516±0.078 g per seedling, resulting in a 20.28 g carbon deficit per seedling (equivalent to a 74.36 g atmospheric carbon dioxide deficit). To offset this initial deficit, seedlings would need to grow to an estimated 74.68 cm in total tree height after out-planting. In boreal forests of the Russian Far East, this would require approximately 3–10 years with time varying depending on specific site conditions.