The article "Old-growth forests as global carbon sinks" by Luysaert et al. (2008) explores the role of old-growth forests in sequestering carbon dioxide (CO₂) and their potential as global carbon sinks. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature and database search to analyze carbon flux estimates from forests ranging from 15 to 800 years old. They found that in these age ranges, the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) is typically positive, indicating that old-growth forests act as CO₂ sinks. The study highlights that over 30% of the global forest area, specifically unmanaged primary forests, contains the remaining old-growth forests, which sequester about 1.3 ± 0.5 gigatonnes of carbon per year. This amounts to at least 10% of the global net ecosystem productivity. The authors challenge the long-standing view that old-growth forests are carbon neutral, arguing that they continue to accumulate carbon for centuries. They also discuss the implications of disturbances on carbon accumulation and the importance of considering old-growth forests in carbon accounting and climate change mitigation strategies.The article "Old-growth forests as global carbon sinks" by Luysaert et al. (2008) explores the role of old-growth forests in sequestering carbon dioxide (CO₂) and their potential as global carbon sinks. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature and database search to analyze carbon flux estimates from forests ranging from 15 to 800 years old. They found that in these age ranges, the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) is typically positive, indicating that old-growth forests act as CO₂ sinks. The study highlights that over 30% of the global forest area, specifically unmanaged primary forests, contains the remaining old-growth forests, which sequester about 1.3 ± 0.5 gigatonnes of carbon per year. This amounts to at least 10% of the global net ecosystem productivity. The authors challenge the long-standing view that old-growth forests are carbon neutral, arguing that they continue to accumulate carbon for centuries. They also discuss the implications of disturbances on carbon accumulation and the importance of considering old-growth forests in carbon accounting and climate change mitigation strategies.