TYPE: Sequestration methodology 

NOTE: This method has been updated to Human-Induced regeneration of a permanent even-aged native forest V1.1
 

Summary

A project under this methodology aims to enable native vegetation to grow to achieve forest cover through the promotion and management of regeneration. This involves the management or removal of external pressures that prevent regrowth.

Abatement is modelled using the Reforestation Modelling Tool available from the website of the Federal Department of Environment.

Methodology

Project scope

A project under this methodology aims to enable native vegetation to grow to achieve forest cover through the promotion and management of regeneration.

This involves the management or removal of external pressures that prevent regrowth. A project is eligible if:

• the land has been clear of native vegetation and regrowth has been suppressed for at least ten years;

• there is a documented commencement of a human-assisted regeneration activity; or

• there is regeneration that is a direct result of a human-assisted regeneration activity.

Assisted regeneration of forest includes one or more of the following activities:

• exclusion of livestock;

• management of the timing and the extent of grazing;

• management, in a humane manner, of feral animals;

• management of plants that are not native to the project area; or

• cessation of suppression activities.

Emissions covered

This methodology covers carbon stocks and emissions from:

• above and below ground live biomass;

• dead plant matter and debris;

• fuel use; and

• fire.

Timing and location

The project must be located in Australia, excluding external territories. The methodology allows for credits to be earned from 1 July 2010. Eligible projects may have been established prior to this date.

Project areas

The land that the project may be undertaken on must have been subject to suppression activity in the baseline period (ten years prior to the start of the project) such that forest cover was not achieved. More specifically:

• the suppression activities during the baseline period resulted in carbon stocks being less than five per cent of the maximum carbon stocks of the project area, and

• there was no forest cover (two metres in height and twenty per cent crown cover) during the baseline period.

The project area must be defined, and include at least one carbon estimation area. Each carbon estimation area has uniform land management across the area. Carbon estimation areas must be re-stratified in the event of significant disturbance or heterogeneous regeneration. Areas within the project area that has forest cover immediately prior to project commencement, does not have forest potential, will not be used in project activities, or fails to regenerate are to be defined as an exclusion area.

Boundaries of the project, carbon estimation and exclusion areas must be defined and mapped in accordance with the CFI Mapping Guidelines.

Project operation

Under the project, biomass must not be removed from carbon estimation areas except for up to ten per cent of fallen timber for personal use as firewood. Thinning of biomass is allowed for ecological purposes provided the biomass remains in the carbon estimation area.

If the project activities include exclusion of livestock, livestock must be excluded until forest cover has been achieved. For all projects, livestock must be excluded from the carbon estimation area if the livestock prevent or inhibit the growth or maintenance of forest cover. Lime or fertiliser must not be used in the carbon estimation area.

Net abatement

Net abatement is the increase in carbon stocks in the project area less project emissions (from fuel use and fire). The baseline carbon stocks are assumed to be zero.

Modelling of the carbon stocks commences from the date when sufficient regeneration has occurred to achieve forest cover. Areas without forest potential are recorded as having carbon stocks of zero.

The Reforestation Modelling Tool (available from the Department of Environment website) is used to determine, for each reporting period:

• initial carbon stocks;

• final carbon stocks;

• tree layer carbon emitted to the atmosphere each month (used in the calculation of emissions from fire);

• debris layer carbon emitted to the atmosphere each month (used in the calculation of emissions from fire); and

• emissions from fire in the carbon estimation area.

Emissions from fuel use are calculated based on the quantity of each fuel type used and the energy content and emission factor of each fuel type.

Monitoring and reporting

Geospatial information must be monitored and reported on using the CFI Mapping Tool or a geographic information system in accordance with the CFI Mapping Guidelines 25.

Disturbance events must be monitored and recorded. Records must be kept of:

• commencement of regeneration activities;

• evidence of suppression activities for ten years prior to project commencement;

• evidence to satisfy the project eligibility requirements;

• descriptions of carbon estimation areas;

• evidence of the plant species regenerating in the project area;

• Reforestation Modelling Tool inputs and outputs;

• forest management information;

• project area information; and

• fuel use on project activities.

Offsets reports must include the following information:

• net abatement amount;

• carbon stock changes;

• emissions due to biomass burning;

• fuel use emissions;

• initial and final carbon stocks;

• forest management information;

• project area information; and

• Reforestation Modelling Tool outputs.

25 < http://www.climatechange.gov.au/reducing-carbon/carbon-farminginitiative/methodologies/spatialmapping- guidelines>