Carbon Stocks
Carbon stocks and growth of six common shelterbelt species:
- Overview of data analyses used to estimate carbon stocks in shelterbelts in Saskatchewan.
- Carbon stocks in shelterbelts in Saskatchewan.
- Carbon stocks by shelterbelt species:
- Deciduous spp.: Hybrid poplar, Green ash, Manitoba maple
- Coniferous spp.: White spruce, Scots pine
- Shrub spp.: Caragana
Shelterbelt carbon stocks are reported for 31 clusters within 5 soil zones in Saskatchewan. Each cluster is a group of homogeneous ecodistricts. The sub-soil-zone clustering approach grouped similar ecodistricts within the 5 soil zones of agricultural Saskatchewan into clusters for modeling purposes (106 ecodistricts were clustered into 31 clusters). There were between 4 and 8 clusters in each soil zone and each cluster included between 1 and 9 ecodistricts. The method used 42 variables for each clustering analysis (done separately for each soil zone). The number of clusters in each soil zone explained 54-69% of the variation among 42 climatic, topographic, soil, geologic, and plant-growth variables. These variables were extracted from the Soil Landscapes of Canada v. 3.2 (2011) and National Ecological Framework of Canada (1999) datasets.
What are the cluster ID and soil zone at my location?
- The map to the right shows the spatial distribution of 31 clusters with 5 soil zones in Saskatchewan.
- If you need to determine the cluster ID for your farm’s location, please go to this mapping application.
Overview of data analyses used to estimate carbon stocks in shelterbelts in Saskatchewan
Shelterbelt Data Analysis
Shelterbelts have been planted in Saskatchewan for more than a century, since 1901, under the provisions of the Government of Canada’s Prairie Shelterbelt Program (PSP). In the past two decades, the carbon storage potential of planted shelterbelts was recognized, but there was a lack of shelterbelt distribution data and growth models. To estimate the carbon stocks in shelterbelts for the agricultural land in Saskatchewan, the following data analyses are performed (Figures 1 and 2):
- Cluster analysis is used to group and map 106 ecodistricts into 31 clusters based on similar tree-growth variables for simulation modeling purposes
- Shelterbelt planting and distribution during eight decades and their estimated length are mapped across 31 clusters for six common shelterbelt species
- Unbiased selection of field sampling sites is achieved by a modified randomized branch sampling (RBS) procedure to collect data from shelterbelts at randomly selected township locations within randomly selected soil polygons within randomly selected ecodistricts within the cluster with the highest number of trees ordered though the PSP (i.e. model parameterization cluster)
- Field data are collected from white spruce (WS), hybrid poplar (HP), Manitoba maple (MM), Scots pine (SP), green ash (GA), and caragana (CG) shelterbelts at a total of 143 sites: 13 for destructive sampling, 59 for model parameterization, and 71 for validation of results (Figure 1)
- Field data are used to parameterize the 3PG model and perform tree growth simulations for a 60-yr period, from 1954 to 2014, for three spacings (2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 m, all within a linear row of planted trees) and four mortality levels (0, 15, 30, and 50%) within the parameterization cluster; additionally, 3PG model simulations are conducted for the remaining 30 clusters encompassing the entire agricultural land base in Saskatchewan.
Generated Shelterbelt Products
- Yield tables quantifying shelterbelt volume increment are generated by the 3PG model and used as input data in the CBM-CFS3 model
- In CBM-CFS3, C stocks for six shelterbelt species are generated in 31 clusters and validated with field data
- Finally, maps of the carbon stocks inventory are created, including total ecosystem carbon (TEC) and carbon stocks additions (Figure 2)
- Carbon inventories are generated for four periods: a/ planted 1925-2009; b/ since 1990, regardless of planting period; c/ planted 1990-2009; and d/ planted 2015-2075, using the A2-scenario of future climate projections by the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis
- All generated products (Figure 2) are valuable tools for shelterbelt decision support systems for future tree planting on agricultural landscapes
Carbon stocks in shelterbelts in Saskatchewan:
The carbon (C) sequestration potential of six common shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan was 1.3-5.3 Mg C /ha/yr (Figure 1), which was similar to other regions in the world. Saskatchewan shelterbelts sequester C at rates that are also comparable to intensively managed shrub willow plantations (15,000 shrubs /ha) in the province at 4.9-6.6 Mg C /ha/yr (Figure 1), and to higher density (1,600 trees /ha) hybrid poplar plantations in western Canada at 1.7-6.1 Mg C /ha/yr. Globally, shelterbelts sequester 0.7-2.0 and 1.5-2.0 Mg C /ha/yr in aboveground biomass, and 0.4-1.0 and 0.8-1.5 Mg C /ha/yr in the soils, in Asia and Europe, respectively. Much lower C sequestration rates have been reported elsewhere in North America at 0.37-0.73 Mg C /ha/yr.
Carbon Stocks Inventory
- Tree growth (3PG model) and C dynamics (CBM-CFS3 model) modelling approaches were used to determine the total ecosystem C (TEC) stocks and C stocks additions in shelterbelts of different ages, species, and planting locations in five soil zones.
- The total length of six commonly planted shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan, of any planting period, was estimated to be 50,439 Km, and ranged from 991 (white spruce) to 35,245 Km (caragana) (Table 1).
- TEC stocks and C stocks additions produced by shelterbelt planting during the course of eight decades were 10.8 and 4.8 Tg C (1 Tg = 1 million Mg), respectively. About 78% of these C stocks additions (3.77 Tg C) occurred since 1990 (Table 1).
- About 69% of the C stocks additions occurring since 1990 were in caragana shelterbelts, mainly because of the very large number of planted caragana shelterbelts, followed by hybrid poplar (15%) and green ash (9%) (Table 1). The estimated value of 3.77 Tg C additions = $208 mill., at $15 per Mg CO2-eq.
Shelterbelt Species Prevalence
- Distribution analysis of six common shelterbelt species from south to north showed a caragana majority in all of the Brown, Dark Brown, and half of the Black soil zone clusters, followed by green ash and hybrid poplar trees (Figure 2)
- Mainly in the Gray and Dark Gray zone clusters (latitude > 52°), conifer shelterbelt species were preferred, and caragana distribution was relatively minimal.
- The length of planted shelterbelts in the province is >3 round-trips from Saskatoon to Paris, France. This legacy of the Prairie Shelterbelt Program (PSP) is deeply rooted in the minds and hearts of farmers, directly benefiting Saskatchewan’s agricultural land, as well as indirectly benefiting the local and global climate.
- Planting shelterbelt trees and shrubs on agricultural landscapes is an important strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses.
Hybrid poplar carbon stocks in shelterbelts
Tree growth (3PG model) and C dynamics (CBM-CFS3 model) modelling approaches were used to determine the total ecosystem C (TEC) stocks and C stocks additions in hybrid poplar shelterbelts in Saskatchewan. Our growth curves and biomass prediction values (Figure 1) were limited to age 60 years. All older-than-60 years shelterbelts were assigned a conservative, 60-year biomass estimate. Differences in climatic and soil conditions caused the wide ranges of hybrid poplar growth in shelterbelts: mean aboveground biomass (stems, branches, bark), at age 60 years, was 397-634 Mg/Km, diameter at breast height (DBH) was 52-63 cm, and height was 15-17 m (Figure 1). The growth curves were used as input in the CBM-CFS3 model to produce an inventory of the carbon stocks (Table 1) in all hybrid poplar shelterbelts planted from 1925 to 2009.
Carbon Stocks Inventory
- TEC stocks and C stocks additions in hybrid poplar shelterbelts were 1.3 and 0.68 Tg (1 Tg = 1 million Mg), respectively. About 83% of these C stocks additions (0.57 Tg) occurred since 1990, regardless of tree planting period, and have an estimated value of $31.2 million, at $15 per Mg CO2-eq (Table 1).
- About 23% (942 Km) of all hybrid poplar shelterbelts (4,144 Km) were planted in the last 25 years.
- For six common shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan, the total length of hybrid poplar shelterbelts is 8.2%, and the TEC stocks stored in them is 12%, of the cumulative length and TEC stocks, respectively.
- Although 85% are in the Dark Brown soil zone (Table 1), hybrid poplar shelterbelts represent a consistent 5%, or greater, spatial occurrence across the province, compared to other common shelterbelt species. In the Dark Gray and Gray soil zones, they represent up to 30% of the cumulative TEC stocks (Figure 2).
Relative Occurrence and C Sequestration Rate
- Hybrid poplar fast growth and its C sequestration potential make it a very desirable species for shelterbelt establishment (Figure 2)
- The average C sequestration rate was 6.03-6.54 Mg C /Km/yr, the highest being in the Gray soil zone.
- Hybrid poplar relative spatial occurrence and estimated rate of C sequestration (Figure 2) could be used as a guideline for identifying best locations for future planting.
- Best predicted areas for future planting are the Gray, Brown, and Dark Brown soil zones, where on the majority of the clusters, the C sequestration rate is estimated >6.3 Mg C /Km/yr, ranging 4.62-7.27 Mg C /Km/yr.
- Planting fast growing hybrid poplar shelterbelt trees on agricultural landscapes is an important strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses.
Green ash carbon stocks in shelterbelts
Tree growth (3PG model) and C dynamics (CBM-CFS3 model) modelling approaches were used to determine the total ecosystem C (TEC) stocks and C stocks additions in green ash shelterbelts in Saskatchewan. Our growth curves and biomass prediction values (Figure 1) were limited to age 60 years. All older-than-60 years shelterbelts were assigned a conservative, 60-year biomass estimate. Differences in climatic and soil conditions caused the wide ranges of green ash growth in shelterbelts: mean aboveground biomass (stems, branches, bark), at age 60 years, was 93-148 Mg/Km, diameter at breast height (DBH) was 25-31 cm, and height was 10-12 m (Figure 1). The growth curves were used in the CBM-CFS3 model to produce an inventory of the carbon stocks (Table 1) in all green ash shelterbelts planted from 1925 to 2009.
Carbon Stocks Inventory
- TEC stocks and C stocks additions in green ash shelterbelts were 0.96 and 0.43 Tg (1 Tg = 1 million Mg), respectively. About 80% of these C stocks additions (0.35 Tg) occurred since 1990, regardless of tree planting period, and have an estimated value of $19 million, at $15 per Mg CO2-eq (Table 1).
- 42% (2,482 Km) of all green ash shelterbelts (5,841 Km) were planted in the last 25 years.
- For six common shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan, the total length of green ash shelterbelts is 12%, and the TEC stocks stored in them is 8.9%, of the cumulative length and TEC stocks, respectively.
- Although 83% are in the Dark Brown soil zone (Table 1), green ash shelterbelts represent about 10%, or greater, spatial occurrence in the Black, Dark Gray and Gray soil zones. In the Dark Gray soil zone, they represent up to 36% of the cumulative TEC stocks in some clusters (Figure 2).
Relative Occurrence and C Sequestration Rate
- Green ash growth and its C sequestration potential make it a very desirable species for shelterbelt establishment (Figure 2).
- The average C sequestration rate was 1.78-1.98 Mg C /Km/yr, the highest being in the Gray soil zone.
- Green ash relative spatial occurrence and estimated rate of C sequestration (Figure 2) could be used as a guideline for identifying best locations for future planting.
- Best predicted areas for future planting are the Black and Gray soil zones, where on the majority of the clusters, the C sequestration rate is estimated >1.85 Mg C /Km/yr, ranging 1.42-2.61 Mg C /Km/yr.
- Planting green ash shelterbelt trees on agricultural landscapes is an important strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses.
Manitoba maple carbon stocks in shelterbelts
Tree growth (3PG model) and C dynamics (CBM-CFS3 model) modelling approaches were used to determine the total ecosystem C (TEC) stocks and C stocks additions in Manitoba maple shelterbelts in Saskatchewan. Our growth curves and biomass prediction values (Figure 1) were limited to age 60 years. All older-than-60 years shelterbelts were assigned a conservative, 60-year biomass estimate. Differences in climatic and soil conditions caused the wide ranges of Manitoba maple growth in shelterbelts: mean aboveground biomass (stems, branches, bark), at age 60 years, was 118-193 Mg/Km, diameter at breast height (DBH) was 34-44 cm, and height was 9-11 m (Figure 1). The growth curves were used in the CBM-CFS3 model to produce an inventory of the carbon stocks (Table 1) in all Manitoba maple shelterbelts planted from 1925 to 2009.
Carbon Stocks Inventory
- TEC stocks and C stocks additions in Manitoba maple shelterbelts were 0.36 and 0.21 Tg (1 Tg = 1 million Mg), respectively. About 67% of these C stocks additions (0.14 Tg) occurred since 1990, regardless of tree planting period, and have an estimated value of $7.8 million, at $15 per Mg CO2-eq (Table 1).
- 14% (375 Km) of all Manitoba maple shelterbelts (2,646 Km) were planted in the last 25 years.
- For six common shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan, the total length of Manitoba maple shelterbelts is 5.2%, and the TEC stocks stored in them is 3.4%, of the cumulative length and TEC stocks, respectively.
- Although 86% are in the Dark Brown soil zone (Table 1), Manitoba maple shelterbelts represent about 5%, or greater, spatial occurrence in the Black, Dark Gray and Gray soil zones. In the Gray soil zone, they represent up to 16% of the cumulative TEC stocks in some clusters (Figure 2).
Relative Occurrence and C Sequestration Rate
- Manitoba maple growth and its C sequestration potential make it a valuable species for shelterbelt establishment (Figure 2).
- The average C sequestration rate was 2.39-2.60 Mg C /Km/yr, the highest being in the Gray soil zone.
- Manitoba maple relative spatial occurrence and estimated rate of C sequestration (Figure 2) could be used as a guideline for identifying best locations for future planting.
- Best predicted areas for future planting are the Black and Gray soil zones, where on the majority of the clusters, the C sequestration rate is estimated >2.48 Mg C /Km/yr, ranging 2.01-3.32 Mg C /Km/yr.
- Planting Manitoba maple shelterbelt trees on agricultural landscapes is an important strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses.
White spruce carbon stocks in shelterbelts
Tree growth (3PG model) and C dynamics (CBM-CFS3 model) modelling approaches were used to determine the total ecosystem C (TEC) stocks and C stocks additions in white spruce shelterbelts in Saskatchewan. Our growth curves and biomass prediction values (Figure 1) were limited to age 60 years. All older-than-60 years shelterbelts were assigned a conservative, 60-year biomass estimate. Differences in climatic and soil conditions caused the wide ranges of white spruce growth in shelterbelts – mean aboveground biomass (stems, branches, bark), at age 60 years, was 152-253 Mg/Km, diameter at breast height (DBH) was 29-34 cm, and height was 14-17 m (Figure 1). The growth curves were used as input in the CBM-CFS3 model to produce an inventory of the carbon stocks (Table 1) in all white spruce shelterbelts planted from 1925 to 2009.
Carbon Stocks Inventory
- TEC stocks and C stocks additions in white spruce shelterbelts were 0.13 and 0.05 Tg (1 Tg = 1 million Mg), respectively. Nearly 90% of these C stocks additions (0.045 Tg) occurred since 1990, regardless of tree planting period, and have an estimated value of $2.50 million, at $15 per Mg CO2-eq (Table 1).
- About 35% (347 Km) of all white spruce shelterbelts (991 Km) were planted in the last 25 years.
- For six common shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan, the total length of white spruce shelterbelts is 2.0%, and the TEC stocks stored in them is 1.2%, of the cumulative length and TEC stocks, respectively.
- With the highest number in the Dark Brown soil zone (Table 1), white spruce shelterbelts are relatively more common, compared to other common shelterbelt species, in the Dark Gray and Gray soil zones, where they represent up to 38% of the cumulative TEC stocks in some clusters (Figure 2).
Relative Occurrence and C Sequestration Rate
- White spruce growth and its C sequestration potential make it a valuable species for shelterbelt establishment (Figure 2)
- The average C sequestration rate was 2.43-2.75 Mg C /Km/yr, the highest being in the Gray soil zone.
- White spruce relative spatial occurrence and estimated rate of C sequestration (Figure 2) could be used as a guideline for identifying best locations for future planting.
- Best predicted areas for future planting are the Black, Dark Gray, and Gray soil zones, where on the majority of the clusters, the C sequestration rate is estimated >2.6 Mg C /Km/yr, ranging 1.98-3.25 Mg C /Km/yr.
- Planting white spruce shelterbelt trees on agricultural landscapes is an important strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses.
Scots pine carbon stocks in shelterbelts
Tree growth (3PG model) and C dynamics (CBM-CFS3 model) modelling approaches were used to determine the total ecosystem C (TEC) stocks and C stocks additions in Scots pine shelterbelts in Saskatchewan. Our growth curves and biomass prediction values (Figure 1) were limited to age 60 years. All older-than-60 years shelterbelts were assigned a conservative, 60-year biomass estimate. Differences in climatic and soil conditions caused the wide ranges of Scots pine growth in shelterbelts: mean aboveground biomass (stems, branches, bark), at age 60 years, was 119-201 Mg/Km, diameter at breast height (DBH) was 28-37 cm, and height was 11-13 m (Figure 1). The growth curves were used in the CBM-CFS3 model to produce an inventory of the carbon stocks (Table 1) in all Scots pine shelterbelts planted from 1925 to 2009.
Carbon Stocks Inventory
- TEC stocks and C stocks additions in Scots pine shelterbelts were 0.18 and 0.064 Tg (1 Tg = 1 million Mg), respectively. About 87% of these C stocks additions (0.056 Tg) occurred since 1990, regardless of tree planting period, and have an estimated value of $3.1 million, at $15 per Mg CO2-eq (Table 1).
- 30% (479 Km) of all Scots pine shelterbelts (1,573 Km) were planted in the last 25 years.
- For six common shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan, the total length of Scots pine shelterbelts is 3.1%, and the TEC stocks stored in them is 1.7%, of the cumulative length and TEC stocks, respectively.
- Although 86% are in the Dark Brown soil zone (Table 1), Scots pine shelterbelts represent about 10%, or greater, spatial occurrence in the Dark Gray and Gray soil zones. In the Gray soil zone, they represent up to 90% of the cumulative TEC stocks in some clusters (Figure 2).
Relative Occurrence and C Sequestration Rate
- Scots pine growth and its C sequestration potential make it a valuable species for shelterbelt establishment (Figure 2).
- The average C sequestration rate was 1.90-2.17 Mg C /Km/yr, the highest being in the Gray soil zone.
- Scots pine relative spatial occurrence and estimated rate of C sequestration (Figure 2) could be used as a guideline for identifying best locations for future planting.
- Best predicted areas for future planting are the Black and Gray soil zones, where on the majority of the clusters, the C sequestration rate is estimated >2.05 Mg C /Km/yr, ranging 1.44-2.67 Mg C /Km/yr.
- Planting Scots pine shelterbelt trees on agricultural landscapes is an important strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses.
Caragana carbon stocks in shelterbelts
Growth (3PG model) and C dynamics (CBM-CFS3 model) modelling approaches were used to determine the total ecosystem C (TEC) stocks and C stocks additions in multi-stem caragana shrub shelterbelts in Saskatchewan. Our growth curves and biomass prediction values (Figure 1) were limited to age 60 years. All older-than-60 years shelterbelts were assigned a conservative, 60-year biomass estimate. Differences in climatic and soil conditions caused the wide ranges of caragana growth in shelterbelts: mean aboveground biomass (stems, branches, bark), at age 60 years, was 93-147 Mg/Km, plant diameter at 30 cm height was 30-36 cm, and the height of tallest stem was 8-9 m (Figure 1). The growth curves were used in the CBM-CFS3 model to produce an inventory of the carbon stocks (Table 1) in all caragana shrub shelterbelts planted from 1925 to 2009.
Carbon Stocks Inventory
- TEC stocks and C stocks additions in caragana shelterbelts were 7.9 and 3.4 Tg (1 Tg = 1 million Mg), respectively. About 77% of these C stocks additions (2.6 Tg) occurred since 1990, regardless of the planting period, and have an estimated value of $144 million, at $15 per Mg CO2-eq (Table 1).
- 20% (7,053 Km) of all caragana shrub shelterbelts (35,245 Km) were planted in the last 25 years.
- For six common shelterbelt species in Saskatchewan, the total length of caragana shelterbelts is 70%, and the TEC stocks stored in them is 73%, of the cumulative length and TEC stocks, respectively.
- Although 76% are in the Dark Brown soil zone (Table 1), caragana shrub shelterbelts represent about 20-70% of the cumulative TEC stocks in the Black soil zone. In the Brown soil zone, they have spatial occurrence up to 90% in some clusters, and are consistently >75% across all clusters (Figure 2).
Relative Occurrence and C Sequestration Rate
- Caragana growth, ability to resprout quickly, and its C sequestration potential make it a very desirable species for shelterbelt establishment (Figure 2).
- The average C sequestration rate was 1.73-2.03 Mg C /Km/yr, the highest being in the Gray soil zone.
- Caragana relative spatial occurrence and estimated rate of C sequestration (Figure 2) could be used as a guideline for identifying best locations for future planting.
- Best predicted areas for future planting are the Brown and Gray soil zones, where on the majority of the clusters, the C sequestration rate is estimated >2.00 Mg C /Km/yr, ranging 1.41-2.53 Mg C /Km/yr.
- Planting caragana shrub shelterbelts on agricultural landscapes is an important strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses.