Generalized regional estimates of forest carbon stocks are a useful tool when site-specific data are not available. Existing forest carbon lookup tables are based on naturally regenerated forests and may not be appropriate for use in planted stands. A Northern Research Station scientist was part of a team that developed general estimates of expected carbon storage for common reforestation scenarios, a tool that will be useful to a variety of land managers implementing nature-based solutions to climate change.

The Northern Research Station has provided forest carbon estimates and estimation tools since the 1990s, and some of the most widely used products are carbon lookup tables, or general regional estimates of forest carbon stocks. With the implementation of tree-planting initiatives, including the national Trillion Trees Initiative, as well as the need to restore stands burned by wildfire, interest in reforestation projects is increasing. A Northern Research Station scientist was part of a team that developed a set of carbon lookup tables for common reforestation scenarios, a tool that will serve foresters and decision-makers who need to estimate the amount of carbon potentially stored from reforestation projects. Tables include 13 forest types in eight geographic regions, each represented by two planting densities. A report includes definitions of the carbon pools, a description of the development process, and tables providing estimates of forest carbon stocks for common reforestation scenarios. While general regional estimates are not as accurate as site specific data, they are a useful tool to provide a reasonable estimate of expected carbon stocks when site-specific data are not available.