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ABSTRACT Carbon uptake by forestation is one method proposed1 to reduce net carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and so limit the radiative forcing of climate change2. But the overall
impact of forestation on climate will also depend on other effects associated with the creation of new forests. In particular, the albedo of a forested landscape is generally lower than that
of cultivated land, especially when snow is lying3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and decreasing albedo exerts a positive radiative forcing on climate. Here I simulate the radiative forcings associated with
changes in surface albedo as a result of forestation in temperate and boreal forest areas, and translate these forcings into equivalent changes in local carbon stock for comparison with
estimated carbon sequestration potentials10,11,12. I suggest that in many boreal forest areas, the positive forcing induced by decreases in albedo can offset the negative forcing that is
expected from carbon sequestration. Some high-latitude forestation activities may therefore increase climate change, rather than mitigating it as intended. Access through your institution
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OTHERS ASYMMETRIC INFLUENCE OF FOREST COVER GAIN AND LOSS ON LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE Article 03 August 2023 DECREASED CLOUD COVER PARTIALLY OFFSETS THE COOLING EFFECTS OF SURFACE ALBEDO
CHANGE DUE TO DEFORESTATION Article Open access 26 August 2024 ASYMMETRIC IMPACTS OF FOREST GAIN AND LOSS ON TROPICAL LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE Article 01 May 2024 REFERENCES * UNFCCC _Kyoto
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4, 333– 348 (1964). Google Scholar Download references ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank S.E. Lee and F.I. Woodward for providing data from the Sheffield University vegetation model, and P.M. Cox,
J.M. Edwards, R.L.H. Essery, W.J. Ingram, G.J. Jenkins, J.E. Lovelock, S. Nilsson, I.C. Prentice, P.R. Rowntree, K.P. Shine, P.J. Valdes and D.A. Warrilow for advice, comments and
discussion. This work forms part of the Climate Prediction Programme of the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Hadley
Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, The Met Office , Bracknell, RG12 2SY, Berkshire, UK Richard A. Betts Authors * Richard A. Betts View author publications You can also search for
this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to Richard A. Betts. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Betts, R.
Offset of the potential carbon sink from boreal forestation by decreases in surface albedo. _Nature_ 408, 187–190 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35041545 Download citation * Received: 10
July 2000 * Accepted: 27 September 2000 * Issue Date: 09 November 2000 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/35041545 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to
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