C40 -- Carbon-Neutral Construction: Harnessing Domestic Wood for Sustainability and Community Support

In the pursuit of achieving carbon neutrality and fostering community development, this study has placed a significant focus on harnessing local timber resources for construction purposes. The primary objective of this research was to project the demand for timber within the local community while simultaneously identifying tree species that could effectively serve both the demand for wood resources and contribute to carbon sequestration efforts. The study was conducted in a specific urban area where the site suitability of each tree species was meticulously assessed through a site index estimation formula that considered soil quality and climatic conditions. This evaluation helped pinpoint the specific tree species that were not only in high demand within the chosen area but also excelled in absorbing carbon throughout their life cycles, making them ideal candidates for effective carbon sequestration. Among the various tree species studied, Quercus mongolica (QM) emerged as the prime candidate for reforestation in the selected area. The reforestation efforts involving QM in the Daejeon Forest yielded a 278.94% increase in the production of exterior building materials compared to the existing forests. Likewise, in both the Daejeon and Gyeryongsan forests, introducing QM through reforestation led to a substantial 203.72% surge in exterior wood production. Furthermore, QM demonstrated its prowess in carbon absorption, outperforming the existing forests. In the Daejeon Forest, it recorded an annual carbon absorption rate of 0.856 kg/m²/year, surpassing the existing forest's rate of 0.786 kg/m²/year. In both the Daejeon and Gyeryongsan forests, the average annual carbon absorption rate increased from 0.785 kg/m²/year to 0.83 kg/m²/year with the introduction of QM.