- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the soil carbon pool is held in peatlands.
Answer
Our latest estimates suggest that peatlands in Scotland contain approximately 1,620 MtC (58%) of Scotland''s total soil carbon, which is approximately 2,800 MtC. (These figures are approximate due to limitations in the currently available data).
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average amount of carbon sequestered by one hectare of woodland is over one rotation.
Answer
Woodland has the ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, converting some of it to wood. The maximum potential carbon stock held in the biomass or woody element of mature woodland in this country is estimated to be around 250 tonnes of carbon per hectare after about 80 years. Less carbon is sequestered if woodland is managed on shorter rotations.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional capital it estimates that it will receive in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14 through offering management leases and cutting rights, as proposed in its document Climate Change and the National Forest Estate - Consultation on forestry provisions in the Scottish Climate Change Bill.
Answer
If a decision is taken, following the consultation, that leasing of forest land and cutting rights should take place, the additional capital received will depend upon such factors as the terms of the lease, costs associated with leasing, and the lessee''s expectations of future market conditions. Subject to these factors, it could be in the range £150 to 200 million. The timing of payments will depend upon securing legal powers to allow leasing, the time taken to prepare and agree any leases and decisions about whether or not to receive payment in instalments. No receipts are expected before 2010-11.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage maintenance and reinstatement of peatlands as part of its strategy to combat climate change.
Answer
In principle, restoration and re-instatement of peatlands may be ultimately beneficial in terms of carbon sequestration. However, uncertainty exists on the time taken for such sites to change from initial sources of methane, to become sinks of carbon dioxide. Given this uncertainty we will be seeking further evidence to allow us and our stakeholders to develop the best approach to this issue.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional hectares of woodland cover it aims to have been created by (a) 2014, (b) 2019 and (c) 2024.
Answer
Our current aim is for 10,000 hectares of woodland creation per year. This would result in an additional 50,000 hectares of woodland by 2014, 100,000 hectares by 2019 and 150,000 by 2024.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how much land is covered by peatlands.
Answer
Our latest estimates are that there are approximately 17,269 km2 of peatland in Scotland.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated average amount of carbon sequestered by one hectare of woodland is (a) one year, (b) five years, (c) 10 years and (d) 25 years after planting.
Answer
The long-term average rate of carbon accumulation by woodland is estimated to be in the order of two to three tonnes of carbon per hectare per year. On this basis, average amounts of carbon sequestered over one, five, 10 and 25 years by one hectare would be approximately (a) two to three tonnes, (b) 10 to 15 tonnes, (c) 20 to 30 tonnes and (d) 50 to 75 tonnes respectively. However, more specific estimates of the pattern of average post-planting carbon accumulation rates would vary with such factors as site productivity and species.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 16 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 20 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it is making available to Dumfries and Galloway Council for the control of seagulls and whether it has placed conditions on the use of this funding.
Answer
The Scottish Government is considering funding the trial use of a falcon to deter gulls from the centre of Dumfries. A decision will be made in due course.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 19 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-478 by Richard Lochhead on 12 June 2007, what its timetable is for any consultation on draft licensing of animal sanctuaries legislation.
Answer
It is anticipated that a consultation paper on proposals to require animal sanctuaries to be licensed will be issued before the summer recess.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 19 January 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17557 by Richard Lochhead on 14 November 2008, what its timetable is for consultation on the replacement of the Pet Animals Act 1951.
Answer
We anticipate that we shall issue a consultation paper on proposals for regulations to replace the Pet Animals Act 1951 towards the end of the year.
