Quantifying the sustainable forestry carbon cycle
Read the full reportThe report systematically evaluates various woodland creation and management scenarios, revealing significant variations in carbon sequestration and GHG emissions mitigation across 12 illustrative woodland options. It highlights the substantial carbon sequestration potential of fast-growing conifers and the long-term benefits of broad-leaved woodlands, emphasising the need to minimise soil and vegetation disturbance during woodland creation to maximise early carbon capture, particularly on organo-mineral soils.
The report evaluates different woodland options for their potential to sequester carbon and mitigate GHG emissions, considering different species, site, and management factors. The report highlights the climate change mitigation potential of 12 illustrative woodland options, showing significant variations in carbon sequestration and GHG emissions mitigation.
Utilises a model-based approach to systematically assess various woodland creation and management scenarios
Highlights the significant carbon sequestration potential of fast-growing conifers and the long-term benefits of broad-leaved woodlands.
It highlights the importance of minimising disturbance to soil and existing vegetation during woodland creation to achieve early carbon sequestration, especially on organo-mineral soils.
Recommendations for policy implementation
- Woodland creation should be designed to minimise soil disturbance and optimise the carbon sequestration potential of different tree species.
- Continuous cover forestry (CCF) and other management practices that promote gradual regeneration and reduce soil disturbance are recommended.
- The use of wood products from managed forests can provide additional carbon storage and mitigate GHG emissions by substituting for non-wood materials.