Darkwoods Project: Calculation of Carbon Stored in Standing Timber DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY Assumptions: Darkwoods property has a standing volume of 5,630,004 cubic metres Volume data refers to fresh merchantable stemwood Timber is mostly coniferous trees Conversion factor for conifer volume to dry weight of that volume is 0.37 t dw/m3 Merchantable stemwood comprises 61% of the above-ground biomass, so the conversion factor to estimate whole-tree (or above-ground) biomass from merchantable dry weight (dw) is 1.64 (i.e., 1/0.61) To estimate total-tree (a-g + b-g) biomass from whole-tree (a-g only), multiply times 1.35 To convert dry tree biomass to carbon, multiply times 0.5 In 2007, there is 5.630 x 106 m3 of timber: dry biomass: 5.630 x 106 m3 x 0.37 t dw/m3 = 2.083 x 106 t dw whole-tree biomass: 2.083 x 106 t x 1.64 = 3.416 x 106 t total-tree biomass: 3.416 x 106 t x 1.35 = 4.612 x 106 t carbon in total-tree biomass: 4.612 x 106 t x 0.5 = 2.306 x 106 t C In 2024, assuming no catastrophic loss of tree biomass, there will be 7.003 x 106 m3 of timber: dry biomass: 7.003 x 106 m3 x 0.37 t dw/m3 = 2.591 x 106 t dw whole-tree biomass: 2.591 x 106 t x 1.64 = 4.249 x 106 t total-tree biomass: 4.249 x 106 t x 1.35 = 5.737 x 106 t carbon in total-tree biomass: 5.737 x 106 t x 0.5 = 2.868 x 106 t C The difference in carbon storage between the 2007 and 2024 is: 0.562 x 106 t C over 18 years or 31.2 x 103 t C/year One tonne of carbon (t C) in forest biomass is equivalent to 3.67 tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide or 1 t C = 3.67 volume tonnes of CO2 (tCO2eq) sequestered. Therefore 31,200 tonnes of carbon increase per year x 3.67 = 114,504 volume tonnes of CO2 equivalent sequestered annually. Also note that: There would likely be successional increases in organic carbon stored in the forest floor, soil, and large-woody debris. However, these increases cannot be determined without additional information. If the forest were to suffer a catastrophic loss of tree biomass because of a wildfire, windstorm, or insect epidemic, then there would be a loss of tree-carbon. References: Freedman, B., F. Meth, and C. Hickman. 1992. Temperate forest as a carbon-storage reservoir for carbon dioxide emitted from coal-fired generating stations. A case study for New Brunswick. Forest Ecology and Management, 55: 15-29. Freedman, B. and Keith, T. 1996. Planting trees for carbon credits. A discussion of context, issues, feasibility, and environmental benefits, with particular attention to Canada. Environmental Reviews, 4: 100-111. Fleming, T.L. and B. Freedman. 1998. Conversion of natural, mixed-species forests to conifer plantations: Implications for dead organic matter and carbon storage. Ecoscience, 5: 213-221. Stinson, G. and B. Freedman. 2001. Potential for carbon sequestration in Canadian forests and agroecosystems. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change (6): 1-23. Dr. B. Freedman, on behalf of the Nature Conservancy of Canada March 2, 2007