Reforestation Benefit Calculator
Calculate reforestation benefit with our free science calculator. Uses standard scientific formulas with unit conversions and explanations.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Annual CO2 = Surviving Trees x Carbon/Tree x 3.667 / 1000
Surviving trees = area x density x 0.80. Annual CO2 = surviving x carbon uptake x 3.667 / 1000. Cumulative = annual x years. Revenue = CO2 x price.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Community Reforestation
Problem:100 ha, 1,100 trees/ha, 22 kg C/tree/yr, 80% survival, 25 years, $15/t.
Solution:Trees = 110,000 (88,000 surviving)\nCO2/tree = 80.7 kg/yr\nAnnual = 7,102 t CO2/yr\n25-yr = 177,537 t\nRevenue = $2,663,055
Result:7,102 t/yr | 177,537 t total | $2.66M
Example 2: Small Agroforestry
Problem:10 ha, 400 trees/ha, 15 kg C/tree/yr, 20 years, $10/t.
Solution:Trees = 4,000 (3,200 surviving)\nAnnual = 176 t CO2/yr\n20-yr = 3,520 t\nRevenue = $35,200
Result:176 t/yr | 3,520 t total | $35,200
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main benefits of reforestation?
Reforestation provides environmental, social, and economic benefits. Trees sequester atmospheric CO2, mitigating climate change. They restore wildlife habitat, prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, and regulate local climate. Economically, reforestation creates jobs, provides forest products, and generates carbon credit revenue. The IPCC estimates reforestation could sequester 0.5 to 3.6 gigatonnes of CO2 per year globally.
What is the typical survival rate for reforestation?
Survival rates typically range from 60 to 90 percent depending on site conditions, species selection, and post-planting care. Well-managed projects with site-appropriate species achieve 80 to 95 percent. Harsh conditions can reduce survival to 40 to 60 percent. Most mortality occurs in the first 2 to 3 years. Beat-up planting replaces dead seedlings to maintain stocking. Reforestation Benefit Calculator uses 80 percent as a conservative default.
How does reforestation compare to avoided deforestation?
Avoiding deforestation provides greater and more immediate climate benefits per hectare. A mature tropical forest stores 150 to 300 tonnes of carbon per hectare. Reforestation starts from zero and takes decades to accumulate significant stocks, taking 20 to 40 years to reach half natural forest density. The optimal strategy combines both: protecting existing forests while reforesting degraded areas.
What ecosystem services does reforestation provide?
Water regulation includes groundwater recharge, flood reduction, and filtration valued at 500 to 2,500 USD per hectare annually. Soil protection prevents erosion of 5 to 50 tonnes per hectare per year. Biodiversity benefits include habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Air quality improvement from particulate filtration benefits nearby communities. Temperature regulation through evapotranspiration cools surrounding areas by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy