Abstract

“Carbon Sinks- the Greenhouse Gas Impact of Pest Control”

Forest Pest Management Forum 2001

Ottawa- Nov 2001

Doug Bradley

Domtar

It is known that spraying for pests protects forests from defoliation and tree mortality. As of July 2001, forest management activity such as spraying became part of the Kyoto agreement on climate change. The agreement now allows carbon sequestration from such activity to offset the emissions from other sources in order to achieve emission targets.

By using data from previous Jack Pine bud worm infestations, it is possible to estimate the volume of biomass that remains as living trees as a direct result of spray activity. Further analysis will allow estimation of the net greenhouse gas impact on all relevant carbon pools, including the carbon in trees, soils and wood products. This carbon will have value in an anticipated carbon market, which can fund spray activity.