Balancing Carbon and Ecosystems

Summary

The climate emergency and biodiversity crisis both demand urgent solutions, and CIEEM members have a major role to play in designing and implementing some of those solutions.

Understanding of how habitats sequester and store carbon is a relatively new and developing scientific area. Effective action needs to be based on the most current understanding of this complex field while targeted research is required to address uncertainties. Join Penny Anderson (a very experienced and eminent ecologist with over 40 years’ experience, and a pioneer of ecological consultancy, supported by robust scientific standards, as a professional career), as she explains the delicate balancing act of maintaining thriving ecosystems while maximising carbon storage and sequestration.

Description

Following up on the In Practice article (Issue 111 March 2021) Penny Anderson (CEcol FCIEEM(rtd)) describes in more detail the findings of the review that she has carried out of available evidence regarding carbon storage and sequestration by UK habitats.

Storage in soils represents a significant proportion of ecosystem carbon and is affected by a range of edaphic, environmental, cultivation and land management factors. Understanding of carbon storage and sequestration by the soils and vegetation of different habitat types under varying conditions, and what causes carbon loss, is crucial to planning and prioritising habitat creation, restoration and management action to address both the climate and ecological emergencies. It is also something that should be included in EIA and EcIA to ensure that the impact of development on carbon storage is considered and mitigated.

Focussing effort on the right habitats in the right places must be informed by robust data which is also crucial in development and implementation of monetised schemes that fund land managers for carbon storage and capture and biodiversity enhancements. In this webinar Penny will summarise current understanding, and the gaps in this, in relation to UK habitat types. There will be time for a question and answer session following the presentation.

Penny Anderson is a very experienced and eminent ecologist. With over 40 years’ experience, Penny pioneered ecological consultancy, supported by robust scientific standards, as a professional career. She is a former President of CIEEM, and currently chair of the Registration Authority, a member of CIEEM’s 2030 committee and the Ecological Habitat Restoration and Creation Special Interest Group.

Knowledge Level

Suitable for all

Tickets