Avoid forest conversion to non-forest

Forests are the largest carbon sink in the United States. The high carbon densities of forest ecosystems relative to other terrestrial ecosystems are a result of carbon stocks in both aboveground biomass and significant belowground carbon stored as soil organic matter. Conversion of forested lands to other non-forest land uses can result in large losses of carbon in both live and dead trees, which comprise about 60% of the carbon in a mature forest. Additionally, removal of the canopy can increase decomposition of the litter layer and soil, further decreasing carbon pools. Conversion of forests to row crop agriculture, pasture, or development represent the largest loss of forests in the United States.

Carbon stocks often reach their highest density in forested ecosystems compared to other ecosystem types or land uses. Actions that maintain the integrity of forested ecosystems or re-establish forest cover can have some of the most significant benefits for maintaining carbon in both above- and belowground pools, as well as improving the ability of the ecosystems to sequester carbon into the future. This strategy seeks to sustain or enhance carbon stocks at broad spatial scales through maintaining forest vegetation, increasing forest stocking, or re-establishing forest cover on non-forested lands.