Carbon potential

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The carbon capture & storage potential of the Scottish landscape is primarily determined by how much woodland & peatland can be created or restored.  A habitat survey is therefore an ideal starting point to provide an inventory of the current & future potential.  To date, Carbon Potential Survey has proven to be useful to land owners/managers for planning ahead, into a carbon economy, and for sellers wishing to provide a complete, contemporary inventory of the landholding and its future potential.   

Carbon potential survey is a cost-effective approach based on the standard Phase 1 habitat, National Vegetation Classification (NVC) & Peatland Condition Assessment surveys.  It therefore provides familiar outputs that can be supplemented by more detailed survey ahead of formal applications.  Alternatively, a fully detailed survey can be undertaken from the outset.  To avoid the creation of "green concrete", biodiversity potential is also considered intrinsically and in relation to ecosystem services (e.g. carbon capture, hydrology or access & recreation).  

Carbon potential assessment is undertaken in relation to the:

• Woodland Carbon Code

• Peatland Code

• Priority habitats & species

• Constraints such as Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE).

Assessment outputs are tabulated & mapped to provide a clear set of conclusions, including a carbon potential budget.  The end point of woodland creation & restoration activity is also considered by providing an indication of the most suitable native woodland types & species, for example.  Commercial plantation potential is also identified in relation to the productivity of neighboring forestry activity. 

Carbon Potential Survey is an emerging approach that has kept Botanæco busy in 2021 and increasingly so into 2022 & beyond.  It is based on Botanæco's extensive habitat experience including a PhD in peatland restoration and ongoing activity in the forestry & renewables sectors.

Two initial commissions have been from private estates in Angus & Argyll keen to understand what they have and how their habitats can be managed to integrate carbon sequestration alongside ongoing farming & sport-shooting activity.  These activities can be maintained alongside increased sequestration to maintain current economic activity, skills & livelihoods in combination with the new opportunities created by a carbon economy.  However, it is necessary to know exactly what is on the ground for realistic plans & actions to be made.  Related discussions are also much more productive over an objective habitat map, than over vague impressions & anecdotes.

Another commission in 2021 was the carbon potential assessment of Glen Dye estate in Aberdeenshire ahead of its recent sale.  The outputs were of evident importance in buyers' considerations of the estate's carbon & financial value.  It was pleasing to see that investors can be as invested in the land and their actions as they are in the financial aspects.  While we should be wary of creating "green concrete", solely to capture carbon in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, there is clearly hope for a richer, more biodiverse & climatically stable future.

If you would like further information then please send an email or call Dr Andy McMullen, Principal Botanist & Director of Botanæco, on 01356 650 410.