Plantation forestry: Carbon and climate impacts

Conifer forestry is expanding rapidly across western parts of the British Isles. This is promoted as good for climate, carbon and biodiversity. However, many spruce plantations are established by draining and disturbing peaty soils, which then release carbon and impair river ecosystems. This ‘viewpoint paper’ focuses on Scotland, and asks that investors and policy-makers recognise the damage being done by rapid afforestation and restocking. The author focusses on the drainage of peaty soils, and suggests that the incentives driving these changes are corrected in order to favour a better kind of forest. •For spruce plantations on peaty soils, measured carbon emissions are greater than currently predicted.•Despite new guidelines, spruce plantation establishment and restocking continues to disturb and drain peaty soils.•Carbon is flowing out of ditches into rivers, and spruce plantations on peaty soils are contributing to climate change.•The problem is acute in south west Scotland.•Regulations and safeguards for soil carbon and drainage of peaty soils should be further strengthened.