Calculating carbon in a tree by Forestry England

Introduction

Forestry England has published an excellent fieldwork guide enabling students to calculate the carbon stored in a tree.

Following a brief introduction explaining how carbon is stored in trees, this handy fieldwork guide describes how to measure the circumference of a tree trunk to calculate dry weight and carbon content.

This simple guide can be used by students at all levels from KS3 to NEA to compare the carbon capture between tree species or between two different woodlands.

• A carbon capture study could form a relevant, appropriate and highly accessible GCSE investigation.
• Fieldwork involves primary data collection and simple calculations, helping to address geographical skills in GCSE specifications.
• Fieldwork can often be conducted in the school grounds or the local area which may be an advantage if transportation is an issue.

This carbon capture fieldwork activity is one of four activities by Forestry England focused on the topic of cutting carbon emissions.

Click the link below to find out more and to access the carbon capture activity sheet.

If you’re looking for more free, curriculum-linked resources, visit Forestry England’s learning hub. Or if you’d like practical activities delivered direct to your inbox, sign up to Forestry England’s termly education newsletter and read their teachers’ blog.