Carbon sequestration

Forests accumulate carbon by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Carbon is stored by trees in the forms of biomass (living parts of the tree), deadwood (broken branches and dead stems), leaf litter, and soil. The process of carbon capture and storage is known as carbon sequestration.

Depending on the tree characteristics (species and age), the climate, and local environmental conditions, trees sequester carbon at various rates. Trees can also act as emitters of carbon through processes such as respiration as well as the deliberate or unintended results of human activities (i.e. harvesting, fires, deforestation).

The relationship between humans, forests and carbon becomes more complicated when we consider that although harvesting contributes to carbon emissions, the carbon stored in harvested products (furniture, structural timber etc.) acts as a carbon sink, as long as these products are made to last. Trees are also increasingly being used to replace traditional fuels and create energy in the form of wood pellets or wood chips, which reduces our carbon footprint in the long-term if done in a sustainable manner.

Forest management activities have the potential to influence carbon sequestration by stimulating certain processes and mitigating the impacts of carbon emissions and green-house gases.

Contact one of our Carbon team now

Emily Fitzgerald or Tim Nair