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Natural Forests

The objective of this workstream is to monitor carbon in Natural Forests. The intention is to enable reliable and unbiased estimates of the total carbon stocks in natural forest on a national scale, and of changes in those stocks.

Approach

LUCAS uses a stock approach to estimate changes in carbon storage in Natural Forests. Carbon stocks in live biomass (growing trees and roots) and woody debris are estimated by:

  • collecting data related to the volumes of trees, shrubs and woody debris from a national network of permanent plots,
  • converting these volumes to carbon stocks per hectare using equations derived from measurements of tree parameters such as height, diameter and wood density, and
  • multiplying carbon stock per hectare values for forests and shrublands by the respective areas of these vegetation types obtained from land use mapping using high-resolution satellite imagery and aerial photography. To ensure that measurements taken to calculate the carbon stocks in Natural Forests are representative samples are located on a 8km x 8km grid projected across New Zealand.

Approximately 1,400 natural forest plots have been selected using this approach.

Training of field crews in February 2002.

The methodology used for the determination of plots and the recording of plot descriptions, vegetation descriptions and measurements is undertaken following the procedures specified in the Indigenous Forest and Shrubland Data Collection Manual.

While the field teams are at the plot they are also taking measurements and making observations which can be used for biodiversity assessment.

It is expected that re-measurement of the plots will take place every 5-10 years after the first measurement. These later repeat measurements (and derived carbon levels) will determine the carbon stock changes.

Requirement

A robust forest sampling system including, statistical design, data collection, measurement protocols and quality control procedures to ensure representative and statistically robust estimates of total carbon stocks and changes in carbon stocks can be calculated for natural forests on a national scale.

Timing

The work to establish and measure plots started in February 2002 and finished in April 2007.

Resources

Payton, I. J.; Newell, C. L.; Beets, P. N. 2004: New Zealand carbon monitoring system indigenous forest and shrubland data collection manual (PDF 2.0 MB). Christchurch, Caxton Press for New Zealand Climate Change Office, Ministry for the Environment. 68 p.

Lawton, Maggie; Barton, James, February 2002
Framework Report on the Development of the National Carbon Monitoring System (HTML).
Framework Report on the Development of the National Carbon Monitoring System (PDF 290 KB).

Last updated: 12 November 2008