Overview

This research aims to assess changes in soil carbon during the first 20 years of woodland establishment.

The project takes advantage of a unique opportunity to survey Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) sites to track soil changes following the conversion of land to forestry. These WCC sites represent a variety of treescapes, including different tree species and mixtures, which are not well represented in existing soil monitoring networks. These include small farm woodlands, agroforestry, silvopastoral systems, and shelterbelts.

There is a gap in knowledge about soil carbon changes during the early stages of woodland establishment. The WCC sites offer the advantage of paired comparison with the original land use, allowing a direct comparison of soil conditions before and after tree planting meaning a single soil survey can capture these early-stage changes.  Therefore a single soil survey can capture these early-stage changes.

This research will provide valuable baseline data for modelling soil carbon changes in young woodlands, complementing existing data on mature trees. It will help project future changes in soil carbon across different woodland settings and soil types, informing policy initiatives and supporting UK goals such as Net Zero and the 25-Year Environmental Plan.

This project is part of the Nature for Climate Fund.