Summary:
- Old-growth forests, which are forests that have not been significantly disturbed by human activities, store much more carbon than managed forests that have been harvested or replanted.
- This is because old-growth forests have had more time to accumulate biomass and soil organic matter, which act as carbon sinks, trapping and storing carbon from the atmosphere.
- Preserving and protecting old-growth forests is crucial for mitigating climate change, as they play a significant role in the global carbon cycle and can help offset greenhouse gas emissions.