1. Carbon and forest management Robert Matthews Forest Research Biometrics, Surveys and Statistics Division Alice Holt Research Station, Farnham

2. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Human activity is interfering with the global carbon balance This is leading to climate change The major causes are: Burning fossil fuels Deforestation. The problem

3. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Burning fossil fuels 6.3 GtC y -1 Land-use change (including deforestation) 1.6 GtC y -1 ‘Enhanced’ vegetation growth 3.0 GtC y -1 Ocean absorption 1.7 GtC y -1 Net accumulation: 3.2 GtC y -1 Global carbon balance c. 1990-2000

4. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Additionality It worksSaturationPermanence Offsetting CO 2 emissions by planting trees

5. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Atmospheric CO 2 Woody biomass Non-woody biomass Woody litter Non-woody litter Soil organic matter Wood products Product decay Stem thinning and harvesting Transfer of residues to soil Soil decomposition Natural mortality Thinnings Harvest debris Photosynthesis (NPP) (from volume growth curve & expansion factors) Woody litter decay Non-woody litter decay Model-based evaluation - C-flow

6. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Model-based evaluation - CARBINE

7. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Model-based evaluation - C-flow

8. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Forest soils Wood products in landfill Tree rootsNon-forest trees Forest tree stems and branches Wood products in use UK forest carbon stocks Roughly 100 MtC

9. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Forests, harvested wood and carbon

10. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Model-based evaluation - CARBINE

11. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Model-based evaluation - CARBINE

12. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Model-based evaluation - CARBINE (graphs on different scales to show details) ‘Carbon reserve’ ‘Continuous cover’ Thin and fell ‘Energy forestry’

13. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Model-based evaluation - CARBINE (graphs on same scales to permit comparison) ‘Carbon reserve’ ‘Continuous cover’ Thin and fell ‘Energy forestry’

14. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Forest carbon management options

15. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 >100% 20% Forest carbon sequestration +Forest sector management UK 0.15 GtC y -1 ) 2%5% 20% with imports? World (3.2 GtC y -1 ) 45% 6% World (25 GtC y -1 ) Forest carbon management potential

16. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 Globally, forests play an important part in the carbon balance. Forests are also a renewable resource. Options for mitigating climate change are: Afforestation Reforestation Adjustments to forest management Avoided deforestation Targeted timber utilistation. Conclusions (global)

17. Carbon and forest management 18 April 2008 UK forests can make a small but useful contribution. Carbon sequestration can be ‘hostage to fortune’. Emissions saved through (home grown or imported) wood are ‘banked’. Focus on use of wood at least as much as forest management. Role for imported wood? Conclusions (UK)