Carbon Storage and Sequestration by Habitat 2021 (NERR094) (Second Edition)
Read the full reportThe report highlights the critical role of protecting and restoring habitats in mitigating climate change, with UK soils holding 95% of land carbon. It emphasises the need for a catchment-scale approach to carbon management, promoting new native woodlands, and improving existing woodlands to enhance carbon sequestration while integrating carbon management into land use and conservation policies.
This review focuses on the carbon storage and flux of soils and vegetation of the identified habitat, including when possible, carbon dioxide, methane, and dissolved and particulate organic carbon. Emissions from management techniques through livestock and machinery use are not included due to their complex and variable interactions but are referred to where relevant.
It highlights the importance of habitat protection and restoration in mitigating climate change and supporting societal adaptation.
In the UK, soils represent the largest terrestrial carbon stock, holding approximately 95 per cent of land carbon. Therefore, land use changes that disturb the stability or function of soils pose the biggest threat to the UK’s carbon stores. On the other hand, positive land use change by restoring ecosystems and their functional processes could deliver a long-term carbon gain.
New native woodlands can sequester carbon at higher rates compared to other semi-natural habitats, especially with the right combination of soil type and tree species.
Rivers are now considered a net source of CO2, as most of the terrestrially derived organic matter is mineralised during transport.
The report emphasises the need for a catchment-scale approach to carbon management, integrating terrestrial, coastal, and freshwater habitats.
The report provides a comprehensive review of contemporary scientific literature on carbon storage and sequestration by habitat.
It uses a RAG (Red-Amber-Green) assessment to indicate the confidence levels in the data presented, with many findings assigned medium to high confidence based on the available evidence.
Recommendations for policy implementation
- Promote the planting of new native woodlands and improve the management of existing woodlands to enhance carbon sequestration.
- Protect and restore peatlands, coastal habitats, and freshwater systems to maximise their carbon storage potential.
- Implement climate change adaptation strategies to build the resilience of woodlands and other habitats.
- Integrate carbon management practices into land use and conservation policies.
Read the full report
Carbon Storage and Sequestration by Habitat 2021 (NERR094) (Second Edition)