Assessing urban tree carbon storage and sequestration in Bolzano, Italy

Russo, Alessio ORCID: 0000-0002-0073-7243, Escobedo, Francisco J., Timilsina, Nilesh, Schmitt, Armin Otto, Varela, Sebastian and Zerbe, Stefan (2014) Assessing urban tree carbon storage and sequestration in Bolzano, Italy. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management, 10 (1). pp. 54-70. doi:10.1080/21513732.2013.873822

Preview

Text (© 2014 Taylor & Francis) Assessing urban tree carbon storage and sequestration in Bolzano Italy.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 3.0. Download (927kB) | Preview

Abstract

Recent climate change, environmental design, and ecological conservation policies require new and existing urban developments to mitigate and offset carbon dioxide emissions and for cities to become carbon neutral. Some North American models and tools are available and can be used to quantify the carbon offset function of urban trees. But, little information on urban tree carbon storage and sequestration exists from the European Southern Alps. Also, the use of these North American models in Europe has never been assessed. This study developed a protocol to quantify aboveground carbon (C) storage and sequestration using a subsample of urban trees in Bolzano, Italy, and assessed two existing and available C estimation models. Carbon storage and sequestration were estimated using city-specific dendrometrics and allometric biomass equations primarily from Europe and two other United States models; the UFORE (Urban Forest Effects Model) and the CUFR Tree Carbon Calculator (CTCC). The UFORE model carbon storage estimates were the lowest while the CUFR Tree Carbon Calculator (CTCC) C sequestration estimates were the highest. Results from this study can be used to plan, design, and manage urban forests in northern Italy to maximize C offset potential, provide ecosystem services, and for developing carbon neutral policies. Findings can also be used to predict greenhouse gas emissions from tree maintenance operations as well as estimating green waste yield from landscape maintenance activities and its use as biofuel and compost. Managers need to be aware that available models and methods can produce statistically different C storage and sequestration estimates.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	I-Tree Eco; Growth rates; Allometric equations; Ecosystem services; CTCC model
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences S Agriculture > SB Plant culture > SB469 Landscape gardening. Landscape architecture S Agriculture > SD Forestry
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Creative Arts
Research Priority Areas:	Creative Practice and Theory
Depositing User:	Alessio Russo
Date Deposited:	18 Mar 2019 16:11
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:23
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/6595

University Staff: Request a correction | Repository Editors: Update this record