Present research at Howland is focused on understanding the carbon cycle.  As a forest grows, it removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and stores it in woody biomass and soils (carbon sequestration).  Carbon sequestration in forest growth is widely believed to be limiting the rate of CO₂ rise in the atmosphere today, slowing the pace of greenhouse gas increase.  We have 2 main research projects underway at Howland. 

Understanding Carbon Sequestration. This project is concerned with learning what controls the rates of CO₂ uptake and loss from the Howland Forest and developing the capacity to predict how carbon storage at this and similar forests will change in the future.

Impact of Forest Management on Carbon Sequestration.  In this project we are investigating the consequences of commercial harvest practices on forest carbon uptake and loss.  Our goal is to identify management practices that increase overall carbon storage in northeastern US softwood forests.