To what extent do carbon stores vary
between deciduous and coniferous
forests at Sherbrook Valley, Cannock
Chase, and how does this affect the
environment?
By Adam Bailey
,Contents
Executive summary ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Methodology table ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Risk assessment …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18
Data presentation and analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………… 19
Hypothesis 1: Carbon stores are larger in deciduous forests than in coniferous forests ………. 19
Hypothesis 2: Infiltration rates will be greater in a forest with a larger carbon store …………… 23
Hypothesis 3 - Biodiversity will be greater in a forest with a larger carbon store ……………….. 26
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29
Evaluation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33
1. Raw data tables for carbon content: coniferous ………………………………………………………………. 33
Raw data tables for carbon content: deciduous ……………………………………………………………….. 34
2. Raw data table for infiltration ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
3. Data collection sheets for quadrat study ………………………………………………………………………….. 36
2
,Executive summary
Carbon is an essential element for life and the intake and output of carbon forms a balance that
affects the whole planet. Forests are a major component in the terrestrial carbon cycle and are
important for reducing the amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere. The aim of this field work was to look at one specific area of the carbon cycle by
comparing the carbon content in deciduous forests to carbon content in coniferous forests, to find
out if the type of tree effects the carbon cycle. It looks at the effects that carbon content has on the
infiltration rates and biodiversity using primary and secondary data to find out which type of forest
has a more positive impact on the environment. The investigation was located at Sherbrook Valley in
Cannock Chase where there were both types of forest in a relatively small area. Evidence gathered
points to deciduous forests having greater carbon content and therefore a greater positive
environmental impact, although further investigations are required to reach firm conclusions.
3
, Introduction
The main aim of this study is to compare deciduous and coniferous forests by measuring the carbon
content of trees in two sample areas. This will be looked at together with other environmental
factors, specifically water infiltration rate and biodiversity. The positive environmental impact of
forests is well documented, and with increasing effects of climate change it is becoming more crucial
to understand the implication of different planting schemes and maximise these benefits. Cannock
Chase was chosen as the study area because it is local and easily accessible, and well maintained. It
has large sections of both coniferous and deciduous forest so it is easy to study all three hypotheses
in a single location.
The Carbon Cycle (links to specification 3.1.1.3, 3.1.1.4 and 3.1.1.5)
Carbon is an essential element for life, the intake and output of carbon forms a balance that affects
the whole planet. The global carbon cycle is made up of four main reservoirs: the atmosphere, the
oceans, land and fossil fuels. As seen in Figure 1, there are many processes involved, with transfers
between reservoirs. Forests are a key component of the terrestrial carbon cycle, part of the fast
carbon cycle and important in reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases. (Lee, 2015). Trees sequester
carbon by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and transforming it into biomass through
photosynthesis. Carbon is also released back into the atmosphere by natural processes such as
respiration and decomposition of leaves, or by human activities such as logging and deforestation. If
the net carbon balance in forests is negative, forests act as a carbon sink, contributing to mitigating
carbon emissions and lessening the effects of climate change.
Figure 1. The Carbon Cycle (Source Climate and the Carbon Cycle: Unit Overview (carleton.edu)
The carbon stock of a forest includes carbon found in trees, other vegetation, deadwood and plant
litter, soil, and any harvested wood products. It is difficult to measure all these elements, as a result
there have been very few comprehensive measurements of woodland carbon balances in the UK
(Morison et al, 2012). The easiest way to compare different forests is to estimate the carbon content
of the trees, and there are recommended procedures to follow to perform this assessment (Jenkins
et al, 2011).
Jenkins et al (2001) found that deciduous trees have a higher biomass than coniferous trees. It is
widely accepted that around 50% of the biomass consists of carbon, so it can be concluded that
4
between deciduous and coniferous
forests at Sherbrook Valley, Cannock
Chase, and how does this affect the
environment?
By Adam Bailey
,Contents
Executive summary ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Methodology table ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Risk assessment …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18
Data presentation and analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………… 19
Hypothesis 1: Carbon stores are larger in deciduous forests than in coniferous forests ………. 19
Hypothesis 2: Infiltration rates will be greater in a forest with a larger carbon store …………… 23
Hypothesis 3 - Biodiversity will be greater in a forest with a larger carbon store ……………….. 26
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29
Evaluation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33
1. Raw data tables for carbon content: coniferous ………………………………………………………………. 33
Raw data tables for carbon content: deciduous ……………………………………………………………….. 34
2. Raw data table for infiltration ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
3. Data collection sheets for quadrat study ………………………………………………………………………….. 36
2
,Executive summary
Carbon is an essential element for life and the intake and output of carbon forms a balance that
affects the whole planet. Forests are a major component in the terrestrial carbon cycle and are
important for reducing the amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere. The aim of this field work was to look at one specific area of the carbon cycle by
comparing the carbon content in deciduous forests to carbon content in coniferous forests, to find
out if the type of tree effects the carbon cycle. It looks at the effects that carbon content has on the
infiltration rates and biodiversity using primary and secondary data to find out which type of forest
has a more positive impact on the environment. The investigation was located at Sherbrook Valley in
Cannock Chase where there were both types of forest in a relatively small area. Evidence gathered
points to deciduous forests having greater carbon content and therefore a greater positive
environmental impact, although further investigations are required to reach firm conclusions.
3
, Introduction
The main aim of this study is to compare deciduous and coniferous forests by measuring the carbon
content of trees in two sample areas. This will be looked at together with other environmental
factors, specifically water infiltration rate and biodiversity. The positive environmental impact of
forests is well documented, and with increasing effects of climate change it is becoming more crucial
to understand the implication of different planting schemes and maximise these benefits. Cannock
Chase was chosen as the study area because it is local and easily accessible, and well maintained. It
has large sections of both coniferous and deciduous forest so it is easy to study all three hypotheses
in a single location.
The Carbon Cycle (links to specification 3.1.1.3, 3.1.1.4 and 3.1.1.5)
Carbon is an essential element for life, the intake and output of carbon forms a balance that affects
the whole planet. The global carbon cycle is made up of four main reservoirs: the atmosphere, the
oceans, land and fossil fuels. As seen in Figure 1, there are many processes involved, with transfers
between reservoirs. Forests are a key component of the terrestrial carbon cycle, part of the fast
carbon cycle and important in reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases. (Lee, 2015). Trees sequester
carbon by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and transforming it into biomass through
photosynthesis. Carbon is also released back into the atmosphere by natural processes such as
respiration and decomposition of leaves, or by human activities such as logging and deforestation. If
the net carbon balance in forests is negative, forests act as a carbon sink, contributing to mitigating
carbon emissions and lessening the effects of climate change.
Figure 1. The Carbon Cycle (Source Climate and the Carbon Cycle: Unit Overview (carleton.edu)
The carbon stock of a forest includes carbon found in trees, other vegetation, deadwood and plant
litter, soil, and any harvested wood products. It is difficult to measure all these elements, as a result
there have been very few comprehensive measurements of woodland carbon balances in the UK
(Morison et al, 2012). The easiest way to compare different forests is to estimate the carbon content
of the trees, and there are recommended procedures to follow to perform this assessment (Jenkins
et al, 2011).
Jenkins et al (2001) found that deciduous trees have a higher biomass than coniferous trees. It is
widely accepted that around 50% of the biomass consists of carbon, so it can be concluded that
4
