Download Modelling options for indigenous forest yield tables

This report was the first in a series of research projects investigating potential improvements to the indigenous forest default carbon look-up tables used in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme. The study simulated forest development and carbon accumulation across New Zealand for three broad classes of indigenous forest: a mix of mānuka and kānuka, beech forests, and all remaining indigenous forest types. Modelled results were compared with field-based measurements from the Land Use and Carbon Analysis System (LUCAS) plot network and found to provide realistic estimates of carbon change. The findings highlighted important regional and forest-type differences in carbon accumulation. While the study demonstrated that carbon accumulation varies significantly between indigenous forest types and regions, implementing forest-type-specific default tables would have required reliable identification and mapping of forest types over time, as well as a stronger national dataset across all forest types and regions.

Keywords: indigenous forest; native forest; ngahere; carbon accumulation; carbon yield; carbon sequestration; carbon default tables; forest carbon; perfect plasticy assumption model; PPA; mānuka; kānuka; beech forest; forest regeneration; Emissions Trading Scheme; ETS.