Carbon emissions from forest disturbances under global change

Abstract

Purpose of Review Forests have a key role in global carbon dynamics, acting as both carbon sinks and sources. Yet, the intensification of global change-related natural and anthropogenic forest disturbances such as forest fires, deforestation, management practices, and biotic agents, among others, have the potential to compromise their carbon sink function. Here, we synthesize the current understanding of forest disturbances’ impact on forest carbon dynamics under varying spatial, temporal, and ecological contexts globally. Thereby, our goal is to address ongoing uncertainties around the pattern, magnitude, persistence, and variability of carbon emissions linked to forest disturbances and to identify underrepresented regions, disturbance types, or forest ecosystems that remain understudied.

Recent Findings We present a synthesis of previous research from 2020 until early 2025. After screening 519 records, 90 studies were included for full synthesis following the PRISMA guidelines and PICOS framework. Data were extracted on forest type, carbon pool, disturbance type, geographic location, and study design. Recent studies have dominantly quantified carbon emissions from high-severity disturbances such as forest fires and deforestation. These disturbances have significant carbon impacts and have been amplifying under climate change. Furthermore, evidence from studies shows that compound disturbances often interact synergistically. However, the carbon impacts of low-intensity disturbances such as forest degradation, selective harvesting, or compound disturbances such as drought-fire interactions remain limited and fragmented. Moreover, the literature is biased toward aboveground pool estimates, with limited studies quantifying Total Ecosystem Carbon (TEC), as well as toward a remarkable underrepresentation of the Global South, with most research focused on areas and countries from the Global North.

Summary This review identifies key gaps in the literature, particularly regarding underrepresented geographic regions, compound disturbance effects, and the integration of multiple carbon pools in carbon estimates. We conclude by offering recommendations to address these gaps, aiming to improve carbon flux estimates and support adaptive forest management.

This work was supported by EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-SE) awarded to FIRE-ADAPT project no. 101086416. This work was also supported by the EU Action Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees program, Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management program (MEDfOR) (Project Reference: 619801-EPP-1-2020-1-PT-EPPKA1- JMD-MOB) through a MSc grant to A.B.