BIOL20050 - the carbon cycle/ carbon neutrality

what is carbon neutrality?

any emissions from a country are offset by the sequestration of the GHGs

1 example of offsetting in Irish Agriculture

the CH4 emitted will be offset by the CO2 sequestered

list 5 pathways to carbon neutrality

A. increased sequestration

B. advanced mitigation

C. fossil fuel displacement

D. constrained production activity

E. residual emissions

how would we increase sequestration?

accelerate new afforestation

- from 8,000-20,000 per annum

list 5 carbon pools

1. above ground

2. below ground

3. deadwood

4. litter

5. soil

carbon stocks vs carbon fluxes

carbon stocks more permanently sequester carbon

carbon fluxes will fluctuate between sequestering and releasing carbon

how much of the irish landscape is covered in forest?

11%

when is carbon sequestration highest in the lifecycle of a forest?

during the growth phase of a forest as they actively accumulate biomass