A paper published in Nature (Frank Keppler et.al., Vol 439, pgs. 187-191) some weeks ago indicating that tree emit methane, generated lots of media for a couple of days, and then nothing.
I wrote my last two columns for The Land on the issue, click here and here.
I received the following email in response:
Hello Jennifer,
It was with interest that I read your recent article on the effect of trees on the atmosphere. In my youth I worked in the timber industry as a faller and later as a dozer operator, here in this higher rainfall area the amount of termite activity in mature and maturing trees is amazing, almost every tree you would fall would have a nest in the butt and almost all stressed trees with a bit of dead wood in them will be ant infested, this does include quite small trees at times.
I noticed that the CSIRO tested methane in a young pinus radiata plantation I think they should be challenged to do their trials in a mature eucalypt forest, an old growth forest would be ideal, I’m sure the result would be a damn site different there.
Regards
Bruce Campbell
Thanks Bruce. I would also like to see some figures for mature tropical forests in Australia. And I was fascinated to read that termites emit 20 million tonnes of methane per year (Nature, Vol 439, pg. 148).
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
I received the following comment by email:
“When you are next on the theme, you might like to play up the little money-earner I’ve discovered in relation to Kyoto (along much the same theme as your column). If you put in a plantation and sell the carbon credits, then technically under Kyoto, if the plantation is burnt down by a fire that is started by humans, you will need to repay the credits, but if the fire is natural, then the emissions arising are not part of Kyoto accounting, and therefore credits don’t need to be repaid. Seems that anyone planting trees for carbon credits should do so in a lightning prone area, or simply install a large lightning conductor within the plantation. That way, every time a ‘natural’ fire burns down the trees, you can replant the plantation and sell a new batch of carbon credits!
By the way, based on the latest European Carbon market quotes, the value of landclearing credits has more than doubled since that estimate was made.”
Posted by Jennifer, for a reader of this blog.
Phone-a-friend says that for Australia this is not correct. You’re liable for fire regardless of cause. Do we have any documentation of the above claim on fire ?
There have been that many variations to the treatment over the past decade that it is near impossible to keep track. Moreover, it is also pointless because Kyoto is dead meat and the rule will be changed 40 times before the trees get their first thinning. Even if most of the world set a rule, the AGO will interpret it some other way to satisfy anonymous interests who own no trees. Whether you like it or not, for landowners, trees are the enemy. They were once our pride an joy but someone, without mandate, sucked the joy and pleasure of forest ownership right off the hillside.
If you really want to depress your children, just plant trees.
Bloody hell Ian, I hope you survive this period of half empty glasses. If there’s ever a long period without a comment from you, should we ring your neighbours to check you aren’t stuck head first in the oven? There’s always the faint hope that rational thought will return.