Governments worldwide are seeking natural climate solutions that can provide economic stimulus while meeting climate goals. Forests provide essential carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sequestration services, but their potential may be limited by elevated liana densities often resulting from human disturbance. Here we report the first estimate of liana (Vitis spp.) impacts on CO 2 removal rates by trees in temperate Appalachian forests and suggest liana removal with biodiversity safeguards as a potential strategy for improved forest management. Shade-intolerant tree species without lianas removed CO 2 20% faster than conspecifics with lianas (p = 0.025). We did not detect significant impacts of liana presence on the CO 2 removal rates for shade-tolerant species (p = 0.838). Additionally, the merchantable boles of trees without lianas increased in volume 9% faster annually compared to trees with lianas, for all species (p = 0.003). Our findings indicate that thinning lianas-particularly from light-loving species such as Liriodendron tulipifera-may improve sustainability of forest management and increase carbon storage while mitigating climate change.

No abstract