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Fact Sheet 2009–3102

U.S. Geological Survey Methodology Development for Ecological Carbon Assessment and Monitoring

By Zhiliang Zhu and Sarah M. Stackpoole

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Ecological carbon sequestration refers to transfer and storage of atmospheric carbon in vegetation, soils, and aquatic environments to help offset the net increase from carbon emissions. Understanding capacities, associated opportunities, and risks of vegetated ecosystems to sequester carbon provides science information to support formulation of policies governing climate change mitigation, adaptation, and land-management strategies. Section 712 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 mandates the Department of the Interior to develop a methodology and assess the capacity of our nation’s ecosystems for ecological carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) flux mitigation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) LandCarbon Project is responding to the Department of Interior’s request to develop a methodology that meets specific EISA requirements.

First posted November 30, 2009

For additional information contact:
Zhiliang Zhu
USGS, National Center, Reston, VA
zzhu@usgs.gov, (703-648-4243)

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Suggested citation:

Zhu, Zhiliang, and Stackpoole, S.M., 2009, U.S. Geological Survey methodology development for ecological carbon assessment and monitoring: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2009–3102, 2 p.


Contents

U.S. Geological Survey Response to EISA

Requirements of EISA

Major Elements of the Methodology


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