Written question WQ86708
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What assessment has the Minister made of (a) how much carbon is stored per hectare of deep peat, and (b) how much of this carbon is lost when trees grow on deep peat as a result of a lack of management, rewilding schemes, or being planted?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
• >63,865 kt of carbon is estimated to be stored in Welsh peatlands. A per hectare estimate cannot be provided due to the inherent variation in peat depth. The Welsh Peatland Data Portal | Wales Environmental Information Portal (arcgis.com) provides carbon stock estimates. Further information on its production and how estimates are calculated may be found in the Soil Policy Evidence Programme 2020-21: Production of the Peatlands of Wales Map (gov.wales)
• The amount of stored carbon lost due to any land use activity will depend on the level of disturbance, alterations to hydrology, period of use, and management activity. Section 2.3 of the National Peatlands Action Programme, 2020-2025 (cyfoethnaturiol.cymru) document provides further information on the pressures and condition of Welsh peatlands. Table 4.1 of the Implementation of an Emissions Inventory for UK Peatlands (defra.gov.uk) is used to assess emissions.