Carbon storage estimation and strategy optimization under low carbon objectives for urban attached green spaces

Lisu Chen; Yu Wang; Enyan Zhu; Huafeng Wu; Daolun Feng

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171507

Carbon storage estimation and strategy optimization under low carbon objectives for urban attached green spaces

Sci Total Environ. 2024 May 1:923:171507. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171507. Epub 2024 Mar 5.

Authors

Lisu Chen¹, Yu Wang², Enyan Zhu³, Huafeng Wu⁴, Daolun Feng²

Affiliations

¹ College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
² College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China.
³ College of Transport and Communications, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: eyzhu@shmtu.edu.cn.
⁴ Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China.

PMID: 38453080
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171507

Abstract

In the context of rapid urbanization, scarce land resources have highlighted the importance of attached green spaces (AGS), which have received limited attention despite their critical importance in the urban carbon cycle. Analyzing the differences in carbon storage of different AGS types and proposing different optimization strategies can provide a reference for urban managers to scientifically enhance the carbon sinks of greenfield. This study estimated the carbon storage of AGS in central Shanghai using a series of detailed field survey data and remote sensing data. The results showed that AGS stored 296 Gg (1Gg = 10⁹ g) of carbon, accounting for 56 % of the total carbon storage in all urban green spaces. While carbon density in AGS is lower than that in other green space types due to the dominance of small trees, simple vegetation structures and poor maintenance in some areas. Significant differences in carbon storage capacity were also found among different types of AGS, related to individual vegetation attributes and vegetation structure. Our findings emphasized that optimal design strategies should be different for various green space types, and proposed corresponding optimization strategies for different AGS types. Furthermore, the dual role of multi-layered planting structures in carbon sinks and biodiversity was also emphasized.

Keywords: Attached green space; Carbon storage; Optimization strategies; Urban ecosystem.