How does the potential to sequester carbon via short rotation forestry vary with species?

<p>Conversion of land to short rotation forestry (fast growing, densely planted trees, harvested within 15 years) has increased in recent years.&#160; The wood produced is primarily used in short lived products (e.g. paper) or as biomass for renewable energy production, quickly returning carbon to the atmosphere.&#160;</p> <p>We ask, how much potential is there to sequester carbon via short rotation forestry and how does it differ between species when soil type and meteorological conditions are the same?</p> <p>We present preliminary results from a species field trial nearing maturity (planted in 2010), comparing soil carbon stocks (pre-planting to the present day); woody biomass; total and heterotrophic below-ground respiration; soil methane fluxes and leaf area index assessments between six commonly used short rotation forestry species (silver birch, common alder, sycamore, sweet chestnut, aspen and red alder).&#160;</p>