Forests recovering from logging act as a source of carbon

Researchers found that unlogged forested areas are generally carbon neutral, but that moderately and heavily logged tropical forest areas are a carbon source. They estimate an average carbon source of 1.75 +/- 0.94 metric tons of carbon per hectare within moderately logged plots and 5.23 +/- 1.23 metric tons of carbon per hectare in severely degraded plots, with emissions continuing at these rates for at least one decade after logging.