When species adapted to the current climate are planted utilizing seeds suitable for the projected future, total carbon stock was estimated to be 2678 million tonnes, which is 54% higher compared to a scenario where local seed sources are planted. The same trend is also observed in the future whereby substantially higher carbon stocks can be achieved by planting adapted species combined with appropriate seed sources. Conifers such as Picea abies and Pinussylvestris profit most by choice of seed sources whereas broadleaved species such as Quercus petraea the least. By adopting ATL today, EU's forests are expected to sequester 37 enough CO2 to offset 6% of EU's baseline (1991-2010) yearly emissions. The potential for CO2 sequestration is likely to decline during the period 2061-2080, but ATL can still enable EU's forests to sequester enough CO2 to offset around 4% of the EU's baseline emission. Based on a broad empirical basis, our analysis provides strong evidence for fostering an active transnationall forest genetic resource management if Europe’s future forest shall maintain their precious ecosystem services.
