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The total carbon in UK forests is estimated to have increased between 1990 and 2015 (Table 4.1). The carbon in forest soils accounts for most (around 75%) of total forest carbon.
Table 4.1 Forest carbon stock
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | |
| million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent | |||||
| Carbon in above-ground biomass | 360 | 471 | 527 | 583 | 639 |
| Carbon in below-ground biomass | 129 | 170 | 190 | 210 | 230 |
| Carbon in dead wood | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Carbon in litter | 165 | 175 | 179 | 182 | 187 |
| Soil carbon1 | 2366 | 2533 | 2594 | 2629 | 2715 |
| Total forest carbon | 3029 | 3359 | 3500 | 3614 | 3781 |
Source: Forestry Commission
Notes
1. Carbon in soil depth 0 to 100 cm.
2. To convert tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) to tonnes carbon (C), multiply by 12/44.
These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics
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