Wolves Help Sequester Carbon Dioxide

A recent study published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence proposes the reintroduction of gray wolves in Scotland to enhance carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. Wolves had been hunted in Scotland since 1238 and were finally eradicated from the country about 250 years ago. Without wolves, the Scottish red deer population surged to 400,000—about one deer for every 14 people in the country. Consequently, the deer and, in certain areas, sheep hinder the growth of native woodland by eating tree saplings across the region.

 According to the study, controlling the deer population with wolves could lead to woodland expansion that would absorb up to 1 million metric tons of CO2 each year, which is approximately 5 percent of the carbon removal target for United Kingdom woodlands. The researchers estimated that each wolf would save almost $200,000 per year in carbon removal costs. This study demonstrates the interconnectedness of climate and biodiversity crises, underscoring the need for integrated approaches to management