Sir, – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report has identified forestry as a key player in tackling climate change. It will achieve this by carbon sequestration in forests and carbon storage in buildings and other uses where wood displaces fossil-based materials.
Dr Annette Jorgensen (Letters, August 17th) states: "It is a fact that natural mixed woodland sequesters more carbon than the monoculture plantations some favour." However, monoculture forests have not been established in Ireland for decades. Since the turn of the century broadleaf species – mainly native – have averaged 30 per cent of Irish afforestation programmes.
All forests sequester carbon, regardless of species, but some forest types are more effective than others. Contrary to Dr Jorgensen’s assertion, commercial coniferous forests are more effective at sequestering carbon than natural mixed forests. The Teagasc Forest Carbon Tool (FCT) demonstrates that during the brief window available to us to tackle climate change – up to 2050 – the carbon sequestration benefits of conifers far exceed natural forests. The FCT includes carbon sequestered in the forest as well as harvested wood products which are used in construction and other uses.
Dr Jorgensen criticises commercial forestry for its “devastating impact” in causing water pollution from chemicals, landslides and soil erosion. However, commercial forestry is virtually chemical free. Many commercial forests require no fertilisers, herbicides or insecticides and where they are needed they are applied only once over a 30- to 40-year crop rotation. Furthermore, prevention of soil erosion is a major benefit of forestry regardless of species.
Her argument that many commercial forestry plantations are owned by overseas investors and therefore do not benefit local communities is incorrect. In addition to the 12,000 jobs provided by the sector in rural Ireland, 23,491 individual private forest owners – mainly farmers – have established forests in Ireland since 1980. However, farmers’ involvement in afforestation is decreasing. This is due to an unworkable licensing system, which requires farmers to seek costly and time-consuming licences to change from agriculture to forestry as well as having to apply for repeated licences to manage their forests.
Ireland is fortunate to have the best tree-growing conditions in Europe. Farmers should be encouraged to avail of this natural advantage. Supports should be provided to plant mixed forests comprising commercial trees to create an income for the present generation and native species for future generations. This approach will provide real and sustainable opportunities to reduce greenhouse gases plus a sustainable income to those who work the land. – Yours, etc,
PAT O’SULLIVAN,
Technical Director,
Society of Irish Foresters,
Glenealy,
Co Wicklow.