%0 Research article
%T New, low estimate for carbon stock in global forest vegetation based on inventory data
%A Kauppi, Pekka E.
%D 2003
%J Silva Fennica
%V 37
%N 4
%R doi:10.14214/sf.484
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/484
%X Several reports by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have  referred to published estimates ranging from 352 to 536 x 10<sup>9</sup> tons for the global pool of carbon in forest vegetation. However, a rounded estimate of 300 x 10<sup>9</sup> tons can be derived from the recent Global Forest Resources Assessment  2000 of the FAO, as shown in this paper. By comparing with independent  empirical evidence as published in recent scientific literature and by  considering sampling principles and the disturbance cycles of large  forest regions, it is argued that the new lower estimate is more  realistic. A downward correction of the estimate would make an important  contribution to balancing the global carbon budget.