Abstract
Managing forests for carbon sequestration is an emerging management objective within forestry sectors world-wide, although considerable uncertainty remains about how best to influence forest C dynamics through silviculture to reach these goals. This study tests several hypotheses regarding forest C management within the regional context of the central Adirondacks and identifies management trade-offs and synergies between forest C and other ecosystem attributes. Effects of management on forest C stocks and sequestration rates were assessed at a broad scale using a continuous metric of management intensity, as well as at the stand-level using a detailed analysis of specific silvicultural treatments. Results showed that management reduced C stocks but stimulated C sequestration rates, often at the expense of forest structural complexity. This indicates the presence of major management trade-offs that should be considered and balanced when implementing management that aims to improve the C storing potential of central Adirondack forests.