fragments store 40% less carbon per hectare above ground than
contiguous forests. They relate the lower carbon estimates to
change in forest stature, with decline if canopy height and
increased mortality from edge effects, including the eventual
death of surviving large trees. While improved protection of
fragments might play an important role in mitigating carbon
loss, a more promising approach is to actively manage restored
fragments focusing on increasing stand density, height to
diameter ratios, and late successional species composition.