Week_5_Trees_and_Carbon_Activity_Sheet_Revised.docx

Use the steps below to determine the of CO2 stored or released in an acre of forest. Calculations: 1. (5 points) Calculate the average biomass per 100 m2 (10m x 10m plot) for the three plots in the Biomass Table. Thus average biomass per 100 m2 = _7735.25_ kg/100 m2 (Hint: add the total biomass for each of the 3 plots and then divide by 3) 2. (5 points) For this question, convert biomass per m2 to biomass per acre. Since 1 acre = 4047 m2 , multiply the average biomass per 100 m2 by 40.47. Thus average biomass per acre = _313,045.57 kg/acre (Hint: multiply your answer in (a) by 40.47) 3. (5 points) To calculate the amount of carbon stored in the plant tissues, multiply the average biomass per acre by 0.45, since studies have shown that about 45% of the biomass of a tree is carbon. Amount of carbon stored in plant tissues = _140,870.5_ kg Carbon / acre (Hint: multiply your answer in (b) by 0.45) 4. (5 points) While carbon per acre is a useful measurement, most studies quantify carbon flux as carbon dioxide, not carbon. To determine the amount of CO2 that the trees removed from the atmosphere, multiply the kg carbon per acre value by 3.67. This value is the mass conversion factor for carbon to carbon dioxide. CO2 removed (or released) from the atmosphere = _516,994.75_ kg CO2/acre of carbon cycling (Hint: multiply your answer in (c) by 3.67) This is an important value, as it shows how much carbon dioxide is sequestered in an acre of forest, and how much would be released to the atmosphere if the trees from an acre were cut and then burned or allowed to decay (mulched). We will return to this value later in the module when you determine your personal CO2 emissions from energy usage, and see how many acres of forest would be needed to “store” your carbon dioxide.