Cut It or Keep It? A Study of Carbon Sequestration in Redwood Trees

Overview

Objectives/Goals Carbon Sequestration in Coastal Redwoods is a valuable resource to reduce Global Warming. My project#s purpose was to evaluate whether or not Coastal Redwood owners should cut their trees or keep them so they sequester more carbon. Methods/Materials My experiment determined the Carbon Density of Coastal Redwoods sampled in a previously harvested area from a 1997 Timber Harvest Plan. I then compared my results to a standard Carbon Sequestration formula. My hypothesis was that Carbon Sequestration (not harvesting) was a more valuable Timber Management practice than harvesting for Coastal Redwood trees. Results Analysis of the data made it clear that the standard formula measures Carbon Content incorrectly. The formula also greatly overestimates the dry weight biomass of a tree at 70% whereas my findings indicate 34% biomass. Conclusions/Discussion Analysis of the data made it clear that the standard formula measures Carbon Content incorrectly. The formula also greatly overestimates the dry weight biomass of a tree at 70% whereas my findings indicate 34% biomass. Based on the data and the formula#s room for error, it is clear that harvesting trees is more lucrative than it is to save them and be compensated for Carbon Credits. As long as standard formulas remain in use, they will be measure Carbon Sequestration incorrectly and therefore Carbon Credit will be allocated improperly and owners of coastal redwoods will be motivated to harvest their trees rather then keep them growing.

Awards (1)

• Second Place

Competition history

• CSEF 2013 Environmental Science · Entry S1111

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

Related projects

Closest projects by meaning, across every fair and year in the corpus.

Browse more like this

• All Environmental Analysis projects
• CSEF Environmental Analysis projects
• Every CSEF 2013 project
• CSEF Second Place winners