Selcoth Burn Afforestation

214 tonnes

The project is exposed to minimal reversal risk. Fire is considered an unlikely risk as the woodlands are in a fairly isolated location with limited public access. The layout of the planting areas also provide natural breaks (roads/watercourses) combined with diverse species compositions to further reduce fire risk. Much of the land surrounding the sites is still grazed by sheep and, as a result, has much reduced fuel accumulation. The design of the woodland provides its own natural buffer to winds, with low-density species on the margins and on exposed ridges and the use of wind-firm species tolerant to exposure such as scots pine and birch on the more exposed slopes. Drought is very unlikely as this location is within a relatively high rainfall area, and all of the sites are situated on hillsides receiving water from above. In a similar vein, flood risk is low as there are no areas of the site within level ground that floods. The topography and soils of the site would suggest that the risk of natural disturbance is unlikely. Similarly, for pests and disease, the sites are protected within fenced enclosures (vole guards). The use of a diverse range of species in the layout reduces the overall risk further. Also, all key species are tolerant of climatic fluctuations within this range, and as above, the wider use of a diverse mix of tree species focused on the right soil types should further reduce this risk.

In the event of a potential reversal, the project's buffer account allocation acts as a safety measure to cover the potential loss of carbon credits.

Please refer to Section 8 of the methodology document.