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Forests

For carbon stock calculations, the LUCAS project collects data on forests in three classes:

The distinction is important because under the Kyoto Protocol, only forests planted after 31 December 1989 into non-forest lands are eligible to be counted as new carbon sinks. Only these can provide significant international carbon credits under the international trading rules that New Zealand is committed to.

Example of a natural forest: kauri trees in Northland New Zealand.

Example of a natural forest: kauri trees
in Northland New Zealand.

Forest covers about 29% of New Zealand’s land area: native forests 23% and planted forests the remaining 6%. They are a major component of the LULUCF sector: in 2004 they offset about one-third of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions.

There are various interpretations of what constitutes a forest precisely. For the purposes of carbon accounting, New Zealand has agreed to use the forest definition parameters from the IPCC's Good Practice Guide for LULUCF, and specifically the upper limits under the Marrakesh Accords (which are the most appropriate for our calculations).

A forest is eligible to be included in our surveys if it meets three characteristics:

  • at least 1 hectare (10,000 square metres) in area
  • at least 30% canopy cover
  • with the potential to reach 5 metres height at maturity.

This means New Zealand's many linear shelterbelts can be excluded from the forest category - which is good as their width and height can vary by trimming and topping from time to time. (In carbon accounting, they form part of non-forest land uses: cropland and grassland, as shelter to crops and/or animals).

Last updated: 3 August 2009