As trees grow, they remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it both above and below ground, helping to mitigate climate change. In this section, we provide an overview of some of the main topics regarding carbon and highlight some key considerations for land managers when carbon sequestration is a management objective.
Definitions of the key terms used on our carbon pages, from agroforestry to yield class.
We explain the forest carbon cycle, forest carbon stocks and factors that can affect carbon sequestration.
We summarise how and why the rate of forest carbon stocks vary and the impact of harvesting.
Learn how decisions about forest practices can influence carbon stocks including the impact of establishing new woodland.
We summarise how products from harvested timber can contribute towards climate change mitigation.
Find out how carbon stocks are measured in trees, in stands of trees and at landscape scale. We also cover approaches to measuring the forest carbon balance.
A high-level overview of forest biomass as an energy source and some of the key considerations.
From woodland establishment targets to key considerations when establishing woodlands to sequester carbon.
We look at the farming, environmental and carbon benefits of agroforestry – land management systems involving agriculture and trees.
The quality assurance standard for UK woodland creation projects which address climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Forest soils provide essential functions including water infiltration and purification, providing nutrients for forest growth, supporting biodiversity and storing carbon.
The rapidly changing climate is being driven by the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere (chiefly carbon dioxide, CO₂, methane, CH₄ and nitrous oxide, N₂O).
This series of factsheets are aimed at practitioners, individuals and organisations wanting to understand more about trees, woodlands and forests and climate change.
Forestry and environmental policy in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland recognises the importance of adapting our trees, woodland and forests to the changing climate.
There are a range of online tools to assist managers in assessing risks to forests and woodlands and selecting appropriate adaptation measures.
