This could expand the native woodland, which could take in and store a million tons of carbon dioxide each year, equating to about five per cent of the carbon removal target for UK woodlands, researchers said.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have suggested that the reintroduction of grey wolves to the Cairngorms, as well as the south-west, north-west and central Highlands, could help reduce the issue of red deer eating tree saplings, which stops natural woodland regeneration.
Each wolf would lead to an annual carbon uptake capability of 6,080 tonnes of CO2, which the researchers estimated would make each of them “worth” £154,000, according to the accepted current valuations of carbon.
Co-author of the study, Lee Schofield, said that they recognised “that substantial and wide-ranging stakeholder and public engagement would clearly be essential before any wolf reintroduction could be considered".
Scientists have suggested reintroducing dozens of wolves into the Scottish Highlands in order to help the UK reach its climate targets.
