Reforestation Carbon Sequestration Calculator

Reforestation Carbon Sequestration Calculator: Estimates carbon dioxide absorbed by a new forest based on tree type and area.

Area Reforested (ha): Area of land reforested in hectares

Tree Species: Species type influences carbon sequestration rate

Tree Density (trees/ha): Number of trees planted per hectare

Average Growth Rate (cm/yr): Annual diameter increment at breast height

The annual CO₂ sequestration is calculated based on the biomass growth of trees, adjusted for species-specific carbon storage and area.

Annual Biomass Increment per Tree:
\\[ B_{\text{tree}} = k \cdot G^2 \\]

Where:
- \\( G \\): Average growth rate (cm/yr, diameter increment)
- \\( k \\): Biomass constant (0.05 for pine, 0.04 for oak, 0.06 for eucalyptus, 0.045 for tropical mixed)
Estimates biomass growth in kg dry weight per tree per year.
Total Biomass Increment:
\\[ B_{\text{total}} = B_{\text{tree}} \cdot D \cdot A \\]

Where:
- \\( D \\): Tree density (trees/ha)
- \\( A \\): Area reforested (ha)
Calculates total biomass growth in kg/yr across the reforested area.
Carbon Content:
\\[ C = B_{\text{total}} \cdot 0.5 \\]

Assumes 50% of dry biomass is carbon.
CO₂ Sequestration:
\\[ \text{CO}_2 = C \cdot \frac{44}{12} \\]

Converts carbon to CO₂ using the molecular weight ratio (44 g CO₂ per 12 g C), yielding metric tons CO₂/yr.
Impact Level:
Based on CO₂ sequestration per hectare (\\( \text{CO}_2 / A \\)):
- Low: ≤ 5 t CO₂/ha/yr
- Moderate: 5–10 t CO₂/ha/yr
- High: 10–20 t CO₂/ha/yr
- Significant: > 20 t CO₂/ha/yr

Inputs: Area = 10 ha, Tree Species = Pine, Density = 1000 trees/ha, Growth Rate = 1.5 cm/yr

Calculations:

Biomass Increment per Tree: \\[ 0.05 \cdot 1.5^2 = 0.05 \cdot 2.25 = 0.1125 \, \text{kg/tree/yr} \\]
Total Biomass Increment: \\[ 0.1125 \cdot 1000 \cdot 10 = 1125 \, \text{kg/yr} \\]
Carbon Content: \\[ 1125 \cdot 0.5 = 562.5 \, \text{kg C/yr} \\]
CO₂ Sequestration: \\[ 562.5 \cdot \frac{44}{12} \approx 2062.5 \, \text{kg} = 2.0625 \, \text{t CO}_2/\text{yr} \\]
CO₂ per Hectare: \\[ \frac{2.0625}{10} = 0.20625 \, \text{t CO}_2/\text{ha/yr} \\]
Impact Level: Low (≤ 5 t CO₂/ha/yr)

Result: CO₂ Sequestration: 2.1 t CO₂/yr (Low)

Inputs: Area = 50 ha, Tree Species = Eucalyptus, Density = 800 trees/ha, Growth Rate = 2.5 cm/yr

Calculations:

Biomass Increment per Tree: \\[ 0.06 \cdot 2.5^2 = 0.06 \cdot 6.25 = 0.375 \, \text{kg/tree/yr} \\]
Total Biomass Increment: \\[ 0.375 \cdot 800 \cdot 50 = 15000 \, \text{kg/yr} \\]
Carbon Content: \\[ 15000 \cdot 0.5 = 7500 \, \text{kg C/yr} \\]
CO₂ Sequestration: \\[ 7500 \cdot \frac{44}{12} \approx 27500 \, \text{kg} = 27.5 \, \text{t CO}_2/\text{yr} \\]
CO₂ per Hectare: \\[ \frac{27.5}{50} = 0.55 \, \text{t CO}_2/\text{ha/yr} \\]
Impact Level: Low (≤ 5 t CO₂/ha/yr)

Result: CO₂ Sequestration: 27.5 t CO₂/yr (Low)

Inputs: Area = 100 ha, Tree Species = Tropical Mixed, Density = 1200 trees/ha, Growth Rate = 3 cm/yr

Calculations:

Biomass Increment per Tree: \\[ 0.045 \cdot 3^2 = 0.045 \cdot 9 = 0.405 \, \text{kg/tree/yr} \\]
Total Biomass Increment: \\[ 0.405 \cdot 1200 \cdot 100 = 48600 \, \text{kg/yr} \\]
Carbon Content: \\[ 48600 \cdot 0.5 = 24300 \, \text{kg C/yr} \\]
CO₂ Sequestration: \\[ 24300 \cdot \frac{44}{12} \approx 89100 \, \text{kg} = 89.1 \, \text{t CO}_2/\text{yr} \\]
CO₂ per Hectare: \\[ \frac{89.1}{100} = 0.891 \, \text{t CO}_2/\text{ha/yr} \\]
Impact Level: Low (≤ 5 t CO₂/ha/yr)

Result: CO₂ Sequestration: 89.1 t CO₂/yr (Low)

Follow these steps to estimate the annual CO₂ sequestration of a reforestation project:

Enter Area Reforested: Input the area in hectares (0.01–100000, e.g., 10). Use the decimal button (.) for precision.
Select Tree Species: Choose pine, oak, eucalyptus, or tropical mixed from the dropdown.
Enter Tree Density: Input the number of trees per hectare (100–5000, e.g., 1000).
Enter Growth Rate: Input the average annual diameter increment in cm (0.1–5, e.g., 1.5). Use the decimal button for precision.
Calculate: Click “Calculate CO₂ Sequestration” to see the result.
Interpret Result: The result shows the CO₂ sequestration in metric tons per year (t CO₂/yr) with an impact level (Low: ≤5, Moderate: 5–10, High: 10–20, Significant: >20 t CO₂/ha/yr). If you see “Please fill in all fields,” ensure all inputs are valid.
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Note: This is a simplified model. Actual CO₂ sequestration depends on factors like soil type, climate, tree age, and management practices.