Measuring carbon impact in agroforestry: beyond the numbers

𝐖𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐞

I have noticed we rarely think about how much electricity we use, until the bill arrives (😱). That’s when we start turning off unused lights, unplugging devices, and just being more mindful about our energy usage.

The same goes for carbon, right?
We won’t really know how to reduce our emissions until we actually see how much we produce. That’s where carbon accounting becomes essential. It helps organizations (and even individuals) understand where their emissions come from and what can be done to reduce them.

We must understand that carbon accounting is more than just math and numbers. It’s about connecting data with action and turning awareness into real impact. Beyond that, it’s about strategy. It’s guiding real decisions toward sustainability, and not just compliance.

Because just like with electricity, once we see our carbon footprint, we naturally start thinking differently about how to make it smaller. 🌿

🪱 🪲 At the recent Agroforestry Show, the conversation around carbon measurement in farming systems revealed both the promise and complexity of integrating trees into agricultural landscapes. While carbon accounting has become a headline metric for environmental impact, the benefits of agroforestry extend far beyond simple numbers.

Jemma Morgan from the Farm Carbon Toolkit said, “We will work with farmers to establish where they’re emitting carbon, where they’re sequestering carbon, and then we’ll help to direct them towards practices and farming techniques that might help them to increase the amount of carbon that they’re storing.”

Results from Longmore Farm

Stuart Rogers’ 250-cow dairy operation in Dorset provides compelling evidence of agroforestry’s carbon impact.

His journey began with changing hedge management practices 15 years ago, allowing hedges to grow out rather than cutting them back aggressively. The results speak for themselves: hedgerow carbon storage increased from 14 tons to 154 tons.

More recently, Rogers has integrated trees directly into his grazing system, establishing new hedgerows in 2022 to divide paddocks and provide multiple benefits for his Holstein herd. The trees offer shade and shelter, while diverse hedge species provide natural health benefits through tannins and other compounds that help reduce the need for wormers and fly control.

The soil carbon story

While measuring carbon in trees themselves can be complex due to the dynamic nature of agroforestry systems – where cattle can browse branches and seasonal harvesting takes place – the soil tells a clearer story. Soil sampling reveals remarkable improvements in carbon sequestration relatively quickly after tree establishment.

At Longmore Farm, soil sampling over three years showed an increase of 409 tons of carbon, representing a 0.02% increase in soil organic matter. One of the sampling sites was within the new agroforestry area, suggesting the ripple effects of trees extend well beyond their immediate vicinity.

“The impact of new planting can actually be seen in soil carbon quite quickly,” says Morgan. “In terms of above ground carbon, agroforestry storing carbon in trees isn’t necessarily a huge carbon win in the early years, but the impact that it can have on the soil underneath is remarkably quick.”

Carbon quality

There is an emphasis that while carbon measurement is important, it shouldn’t overshadow the broader benefits of agroforestry systems.

The challenge lies in quantifying benefits like windbreaks, extended grazing seasons through improved microclimates, and animal welfare improvements from shade and shelter.

We have a slight obsession with something only having value if you can measure it and collect data and quantify it. But putting numbers on vitally important things like a windbreak or the increased grazing length of a season by the provision of a microclimate by trees is very difficult to quantify.

Rogers advocates for establishing a baseline through soil testing, then identifying what’s missing from the current system and what can be comfortably managed within existing knowledge and resources.

“Get that initial start point and then highlight where to head next and just get on with it, you know, make a start,” Rogers says. “And I would urge everyone just to make a start and then things start to happen and you’ll start building confidence.”

Morgan adds a crucial element: understanding the specific roles that trees should fulfill on each farm. Whether it’s shade for cattle in increasingly hot summers or windbreaks for sheep, having clear objectives helps ensure success.

Perhaps most importantly, both emphasise that just planting trees is just the beginning.

Successful agroforestry requires ongoing care and management – proper watering, wood chipping, and protection to ensure trees actually grow and provide benefits. Rogers says, “Planting a tree and growing a tree are very different things.”

As the agriculture sector increasingly embraces regenerative practices, agroforestry appears poised to play a larger role. While carbon measurement provides one valuable metric, the true value lies in creating resilient, productive farming systems that benefit farmers, animals, and the environment alike.

To summarise: start with a baseline, understand your specific needs, seek good advice, and begin the journey toward more integrated farming systems. The benefits – measurable and intangible – will follow.

Ready to confidently step into the future of sustainable business? doowe is your reliable partner in this journey, providing expert carbon footprint services to ensure your commitment to the environment is clear, concrete, and verifiable.

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