Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
749. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that fast-growing commercial forestry compares to mixed conservation forests or semi-natural forests in sequestering carbon over the next 100 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24772/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarbon sequestration by forests is influenced by a range of factors including species, soil type, site conditions and management practices. The rate of sequestration changes over time as a forest develops and matures. When forests are young the sequestration rate is low but as the trees mature their ability to sequester carbon dioxide as increases.
The mean annual sequestration rate of conifer tree species, such as sitka spruce, is 6.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare over two rotations. A broadleaf tree, such as oak, has a lower mean annual sequestration rate of 2.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare. Therefore, depending on the species composition of the forests the sequestration rate will vary over time. These annual rates are indicative over a 100 year time horizon and multiple rotations.
The Teagasc Forest Carbon Tool was developed by Teagasc with specialist input from Forest, Environmental Research & Services Ltd., to provide indicative carbon sequestration values associated with planting different tree species. This online tool is a user-friendly way to calculate how much carbon can be removed in woodlands and highlights the important role of harvested wood products. Further information can be found on Teagasc’s website.
