Carbon drawdown

CarbonFarms landscapes will draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere so that each of our members can play their part in reducing atmospheric green houses gases and offsetting their personal emissions. Carbon is drawn down (sequestered) via photosynthesis and stored above and below the ground.

Biodiversity

Forests provide fauna with food and shelter. Within a few years, forests and native grasslands begin to develop populations of animals feeding on seeds, nectar, sap, insects, and each other… Newly planted forests commonly aim to connect existing vegetation patches and remnant mature trees so that flora and fauna can safely travel throughout the landscape in search of food, water and mates.

Watershed protection

Well planned and managed forests and native grasslands act like a sponge within the landscape - building soil carbon which absorb water in wet periods, holding that water, then releasing it gradually. Trees and forests also filter water as it passes through the system. Returning trees to the landscape improves water in terms of both quality and quantity.

Soil and fertility

Many agricultural landscapes have been denuded of trees and are regularly over-grazed. This leads to compaction and erosion of topsoil, salinity and sedimentation of watercourses. Trees and healthy native grasslands in the landscape protect (and build) soil, reduce/reverse salinity and can improve soil fertility as a result.

Climate change adaptation

Virtually all landscapes will need to adapt to climate change - to play their part in mitigation and to ovoid or reduce the impacts. Silvopasture is one management tool that can be deployed to adapt to the changing climate.

Drought resilience

A landscape with greater tree cover, healthy native grasslands and increased soil carbon has the capacity to store more water. This allows the landscape to endure droughts for a longer period, protecting the land, production and biodiversity as a result.

Acknowledgement of first nations people

CarbonFarms acknowledges and respects the sustainable management of land that occurred prior to colonisation of Australia. While CarbonFarms does not seek or claim to replicate indigenous land management practices, the principles of indigenous land stewardship, including intermittent burning, will be adopted where practical. CarbonFarms will seek to engage with traditional owners in the local area to consult on, and assist with fire management practices.

Fire - threat and tool

Fire in the landscape can enhance carbon drawdown. Fire is currently used in many places to reduce emissions and increase drawdown.

Land managers generally seek to avoid severe, hot fires, which can damage assets, biodiversity, health and stock.

Cool burns, or cultural burns, have the potential to stimulate biodiversity, reduce risk (from hot fires) and improve productivity.

Subject to various safety, environmental and cultural considerations, CarbonFarms intends to undertake cool burns on the properties to maximise the benefits of the carbon forests.