Assessing the carbon capture potential of a reforestation project

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorLefebvre, David
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Adrian G.
dc.contributor.authorKirk, Guy J. D.
dc.contributor.authorBurgess, Paul J.
dc.contributor.authorMeersmans, Jeroen
dc.contributor.authorSilman, Miles R.
dc.contributor.authorRomán-Dañobeytia, Francisco
dc.contributor.authorFarfan, Jhon
dc.contributor.authorSmith, Pete
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-15T13:36:26Z
dc.date.available2021-10-15T13:36:26Z
dc.date.issued2021-10-07
dc.description.abstractThe number of reforestation projects worldwide is increasing. In many cases funding is obtained through the claimed carbon capture of the trees, presented as immediate and durable, whereas reforested plots need time and maintenance to realise their carbon capture potential. Further, claims usually overlook the environmental costs of natural or anthropogenic disturbances during the forest’s lifetime, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the reforestation are not allowed for. This study uses life cycle assessment to quantify the carbon footprint of setting up a reforestation plot in the Peruvian Amazon. In parallel, we combine a soil carbon model with an above- and below-ground plant carbon model to predict the increase in carbon stocks after planting. We compare our results with the carbon capture claims made by a reforestation platform. Our results show major errors in carbon accounting in reforestation projects if they (1) ignore the time needed for trees to reach their carbon capture potential; (2) ignore the GHG emissions involved in setting up a plot; (3) report the carbon capture potential per tree planted, thereby ignoring limitations at the forest ecosystem level; or (4) under-estimate tree losses due to inevitable human and climatic disturbances. Further, we show that applications of biochar during reforestation can partially compensate for project emissions.en_UK
dc.identifier.citationLefebvre D, Williams AG, Kirk GJ, et al., (2021) Assessing the carbon capture potential of a reforestation project. Scientific Reports, Volume 11, Article number 19907en_UK
dc.identifier.issn2045-2322
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99395-6
dc.identifier.urihttp://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/17173
dc.language.isoenen_UK
dc.publisherNature Publishing Groupen_UK
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 International*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/*
dc.subjectClimate-change mitigationen_UK
dc.subjectEnvironmental impacten_UK
dc.titleAssessing the carbon capture potential of a reforestation projecten_UK
dc.typeArticleen_UK

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
carbon_capture_potential_of_a_reforestation_project-2021.pdf
Size:
2.05 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.63 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Staff publications (SWEE)