Certified Forester Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

Forests are integral to the carbon cycle, as they sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb CO2 and convert it into organic matter, which is stored in their biomass—trunks, branches, leaves, and roots. This process not only helps to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere but also contributes to the overall carbon storage capacity of ecosystems.

By capturing and storing carbon, forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, helping to balance carbon levels in the atmosphere over time. They act as significant carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon dioxide than they release, especially in healthy, growing forests. This connection between forests and the carbon cycle underscores their importance in environmental sustainability and climate regulation.

This understanding emphasizes the necessity of maintaining and protecting forest ecosystems to ensure their continuing role in carbon sequestration, which is fundamental to combating global warming and its associated impacts.