Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. To assess and quantify the specific emissions reduction benefits of forest carbon sequestration, this study used a combination of backpropagation neural networks, biomass conversion factor method, and logistic models to predict the carbon-neutral contribution from existing forests, planned afforestation, and forest tending activities in China from 2021 to 2060. The results showed that (1) the emissions reduction contribution of forestry pathways in China was 7.91% (8588.61 MtCO₂) at the carbon peak stage and 8.71% (24,932.73 MtCO₂) at the carbon-neutral stage; (2) the southwest was the main contributing region, while the east and north lagged; (3) afforestation activities made the largest emission reduction contribution during the forecast period, while the contribution of existing forests continued to decline; and (4) carbon sequestration contribution by different forest origins was comparable during the carbon peak, while the contribution of plantation forests was expected to surpass that of natural forests during the carbon-neutral period. In order to maximize the benefits of the carbon-neutral pathway of forestry, it is necessary to enhance the policy frameworks related to forestry activities, forestry financial investment systems, and sustainable forest management systems to maximize the potential of this sector. Furthermore, more focus should be placed on reduction sectors to ensure the timely achievement of carbon goals and boost sustainable development in the context of climate change.

Species conservation actions are guided by available information on the biogeography of the protected species. In this study, we integrated the occurrence data of Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus L.) collected from 2019 to 2021 with species distribution models to estimate the species’ potential distribution in Northeast China. We then identified conservation priority areas using a core-area zonation algorithm. In addition, we analyzed core patch fragmentation using FRAGSTATS. Lastly, we identified potential connectivity corridors and constructed a potential protection network based on the least-cost path and the circuit theory. The results showed concentrations of M. moschiferus in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains, the southeastern Lesser Khingan Mountains, and the eastern Changbai Mountains, with a potential distribution area of 127,442.14 km². Conservation priority areas included 41 core patches with an area of 106,306.43 km². Patch fragmentation mainly occurred in the Changbai Mountains and the Lesser Khingan Mountains. We constructed an ecological network composed of 41 core patches and 69 linkages for M. moschiferus in Northeast China. The results suggest that the Greater Khingan Mountains represent the most suitable area to maintain the stability of M. moschiferus populations in Northeast China. Considering the high habitat quality requirements of M. moschiferus and its endangered status, we propose that the Chinese government accelerates the construction of the Greater Khingan Mountains National Park and the Lesser Khingan Mountains National Park and enlarges the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park to address the fragmentation of protected areas and the habitat of M. moschiferus.

Reservoirs have been regarded as hot spots for greenhouse gas emissions since the 1990s. However, there is scant research about littoral zones of reservoirs. In the present study, static closed chamber and gas chromatograph techniques were used to measure methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) flux in the littoral area of a temperate reservoir from 2009 to 2010. The littoral area comprises three zones, namely supralittoral, eulittoral and infralittoral. The patterns of CH4 and CO2 emissions from these three littoral zones were significantly different during the sampling periods, with the eulittoral zone having the highest CH4 flux and the supralittoral zone having the highest CO2 flux. Temperature and biomass correlated with CH4 and CO2 emissions. Measurement of CO2 emissions after removing vegetation varied in each zone and according to time of sampling. A large littoral area of the reservoir sampled herein will be submerged and converted to a pelagic area with deep standing water after the South to North Water Transfer Project is completed, in 2050. The results of the present study suggest further research and monitoring are needed, and should focus on likely effects of extreme climate events and the effects of human-mediated factors on greenhouse gas emissions.

China has developed its own “CDM”, i.e., the China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) scheme. International carbon organizations and individuals are interested in the CCER mechanism. We searched “CCER” in the web of science and, unfortunately, found no previously published studies that provide a detailed description of CCER, especially CCER forestry projects. This paper reviews the history, development, and current status of the CCER forestry projects. We introduced the components of the CCER program, including the CCER methodology system, the CCER registration system, the CCER trading system, and DOEs. In addition, we further introduced the development process, including project design, project validation and registration, project implementation, project monitoring, emission reduction accounting, emission reduction verification, and registration. Recommendations are proposed, including expanding methodologies, incorporating advanced technologies, optimizing monitoring frameworks, and pursuing international collaboration. This study provides policy and technical guidance for the sustainable development of China’s forest carbon market.

As the largest terrestrial carbon pool, forest ecosystems play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation through greenhouse gas regulation. This study estimated the carbon sequestration potential of arbor forests at the county-level scale in Mentougou District, Beijing, based on subcompartment vector data from forest surveys and employed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) carbon stock–biomass difference methodology. Additionally, using 2020 as the baseline year, the research projected carbon sink potential and carbon sequestration–oxygen release values for 2030 and 2060 by applying the carbon stock change methodology and the carbon sequestration–oxygen release value methodology. The results showed that there is a total carbon stock of 2.198 million tonnes (Mt) C in Mentougou, with an average storage density of 33.4 t C/ha. Natural broadleaf forests constituted the dominant carbon pool (79.2%), followed by planted coniferous stands (11.9%), collectively accounting for 91.1% of the regional arboreal carbon storage. In the future, the district’s arboreal carbon stock is projected to reach 3.17 Mt C in 2030 and 4.82 Mt C in 2060, with cumulative sequestration reaching 0.97 Mt C and 2.63 Mt C, respectively. It is evident that the carbon storage dynamics in Mentougou were governed by three principal determinants: (1) natural broadleaf forests dominate carbon storage (1.559 Mt C) in Mentougou, exceeding planted coniferous stands by 6.7-fold; (2) carbon storage decreases progressively with younger age classes, while carbon density increases steadily with stand maturity; (3) mid-elevation slopes (600–1200 m) concentrate 48% of regional stocks, with shaded slopes being optimal carbon sinks, and slope position gradients reveal topography-driven carbon accumulation patterns, confirming scale-dependent material transport effects. The value of carbon fixation and oxygen release of existing arbor forests in Mentougou District was CNY 6.12 billion, and this is predicted to reach CNY 8.84 billion by 2030, with a further anticipated increase to CNY 13.45 billion by 2060. Our analysis provides empirical evidence and quantitative support for forestry carbon sink initiatives at the regional scale and thus promotes the achievement of dual-carbon goals proposed by the Chinese government.