Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
792. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis carried out by his Department into the carbon sequestration potential of coniferous forests here; the comparative analysis his Department has carried out regarding the carbon sequestration potential of deciduous forests as opposed to coniferous forests here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/20]
View answerThere have been a number of scientific studies nationally and internationally which have examined the carbon sequestration potential of forests. Forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services which include carbon sequestration and storage. Irish forests are a net sink for CO2 and make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Approximately every 5 years, my Department carry out a detailed national forest inventory which collects a wide range of data which is used to estimate and model the carbon stocks in Irish forests. It is estimated based on data collected that these forests removed on average 3.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere over the period 2007 to 2016. DAFM also estimate that the total carbon stock in Irish forests is approximately 312 million tonnes which includes the carbon stored in trees, soils, leaf litter, deadwood and roots. It is important to note that carbon stocks are dynamic and change as the forests matures, when new forests are planted and when trees are harvested. DAFM are currently carrying out the 4th national forest inventory and data collection will be completed in 2021. These national forest inventories are important as it provides data on a wide range of parameters which includes species composition, carbon stocks, including information on the health and vitality of the forest estate.
Forests are excellent at sequestering carbon dioxide however depending on the species some trees will remove carbon at different rates. Broadleaves and conifers sequester roughly the same carbon dioxide; the maximum value is approximately 150 tonnes of carbon per hectare but this is achieved in 75 years for spruce, compared to 180 years for oak. However, carbon sequestration does vary from year to year depending on management and soil type.
