Inventory and eddy covariance-based estimates of annual carbon sequestration in a Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) forest ecosystem

A comparison was made of annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of a closed canopy Sitka spruce forest over 2 years, using either eddy covariance or inventory techniques. Estimates for annual net uptake of carbon (C) by the forest varied between 7.30 and 11.44 t C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ using ecological inventory (NEP_eco) measures and 7.69–9.44 t C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ using eddy covariance-based NEP (-NEE) assessments. These differences were not significant due to uncertainties and errors associated with estimates of biomass increment (15–21%) and heterotrophic respiration (12–19%). Carbon-stock change inventory (NEP_ΔC ) values were significantly higher (27–32%), when compared to both NEP_eco- and -NEE-based estimates. Additional analyses of the data obtained from this study, together with published data, suggest that there was a systematic overestimation of NEP_ΔC -based assessments due to unaccounted decomposition processes and uncertainties in the estimation of soil-C stock changes. In contrast, there was no systematic difference between NEP_eco and eddy covariance assessments across a wide range of forest types and geographical locations.