Economic potential for carbon sequestration by short rotation eucalypts using biochar in Florida, USA

Abstract

Above- and below-ground carbon sequestration by Eucalyptus depends on management options, which in Florida include short rotation woody crops (SRWC) and windbreaks (WB). Applying growth and economic models to E. grandis and E. grandis x E. urophylla cultivars grown as SRWCs and to E. grandis cultivars in a related WB, with and without soil amendments including biochar (BC), we developed preliminary estimates of their carbon sequestration potentials. The cultivars may sequester over 10 Mg of C/ha/year as SRWCs. Under the assumed management costs and market conditions, SRWC management with BC will be more profitable than operational culture if BC application costs are ≤$450/Mg. In WBs, E. grandis cultivars may sequester up to 34 Mg of C/ha in three years, with additional sequestration by amending soil with BC. Using BC, e. g., derived from eucalypts, as a soil amendment is both a long-term sequestration strategy and an opportunity to increase plantation and crop productivity.