Abstract
Given the increasing demand for carbon dioxide storage estimates in urban areas and the high cost for ground-based inventories, there is need for more efficient approaches. Limited open-grown urban tree species biomass equations have necessitated use of forest-derived equations with diverse conclusions on the accuracy of these equations to estimate urban biomass and carbon storage. Our goal was to determine and explain variability among estimates of CO2 storage from four sets of allometric equations for the same ground sample of 640 trees. Also, we compare the variability found in CO2 stored and sequestered per hectare among estimation approaches for Sacramento’s urban forest with the variation found among six other cities. We found substantial variability among the four approaches. Storage estimates differed by a maximum of 29% and ranged from 38 to 49 t/ha. The two sequestration estimates differed by 55%, ranging from 1.8 to 2.8 t/ha. To put these numbers in perspective, they amounted to about one-tenth and one-quarter of the maximum differences in CO2 storage and sequestration rates among six cities, respectively. i-Tree Eco produced the lowest storage estimates, perhaps because it relied exclusively on forest-based equations and applied a 0.80 correction factor to open-grown trees. The storage estimates produced by i-Tree Streets and CUFR Tree Carbon Calculator (CTCC) were the highest, while Urban General Equations produced relatively low estimates of CO2 storage. Eco produced lower estimates of CO2 sequestration rates than the CTCC across a range of species. Eco’s reductions for tree condition and projected mortality may partially explain the difference. An analysis of the roles of tree growth modeling and biomass equation selection for a green ash tree illustrated how the dynamic interaction between tree growth and biomass storage rate can influence the temporal stream of sequestration in complex ways. Based on these results we conclude that applying UGEs to remotely sensed data that accurately classify broadleaf, conifer and palm tree types in the Sacramento region is likely to produce conservative results compared to results from urban-based species-specific equations. The robustness of this result needs to be tested with different tree populations, and research is needed to establish relations between remotely-sensed tree crown projection area and dbh values required for biomass calculation. Of course, ground-based inventories remain necessary for more accurate estimates of CO2 storage and for municipal forest management and health monitoring purposes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsAbbreviations
- BVOCs:
-
Biogenic volatile organic compounds
- CLE:
-
Crown light exposure
- CTCC CUFR:
-
Tree Carbon Calculator
- CUFR:
-
Center for Urban Forest Research
- STRATUM:
-
Street Tree Resource Assessment Tool for Urban forest Managers
- SUFES:
-
Sacramento Urban Forest Ecosystem study
- UFORE:
-
Urban Forest Effects Model
- UGEs:
-
Urban general equations
References
Baller ML, Wilson JS (2008) Comparison of urban tree canopy classification with high resolution satellite imagery and three dimensional data derived from LIDAR and stereoscopic sensors. Master of Science Thesis, Department of Geography, Indiana University
Birdsey R (1992) Carbon storage and accumulation in United States forest ecosystems. General technical ReportWO-GTR-59, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Radnor, p 51
Brack CL (2002) Pollution mitigation and carbon sequestration by an urban forest. Environ Pollut 116:195–200
Cairns MA, Brown S, Helmer EH, Baumgardner GA (1997) Root biomass allocation in the world’s upland forests. Oecologia 111:1–11
California Climate Action Registry (2008) Urban forest project reporting protocol. V.1. Available at: http://www.climateregistry.org/resources/docs/protocols/progress/urban-forest/urban-forest-protocol-final-082008.pdf. Retrieved 22 Oct 2008
Climate Action Reserve (2010) Urban forest project protocol. Downloaded 09 Feb 2010 from http://www.climateactionreserve.org/how/protocols/adopted/urban-forest/current-urban-forest-project-protocol/
Domec JC, Gartner BL (2002) How do water transport and water storage differ in coniferous earlywood and latewood? J Exp Bot 53(379):2369–2379
Escobedo F, Varela S, Zhao M, Wagner JE, Zipperer W (2010) Analyzing the efficacy of subtropical urban forests in offsetting carbon emissions from cities. Environ Sci Policy 13(5):362–372
Fleming LE (1988) Growth estimation of street trees in central New Jersey. M.S. Thesis, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, p 143
Forest Products Laboratory (1987) Wood handbook: wood as an engineering material. In: Agricultural Handbook 72 (Rev.). US Dept of Agric, Washington, DC, p 466
Frangi JL, Lugo AE (1985) Ecosystem dynamics of a subtropical floodplain forest. Ecol Monogr 55:351–369
Hahn JT (1984) Tree volume and biomass equations for the Lake States. Research paper NC-250, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, p 10
Hansen M (1992) Volume and biomass estimation in FIA: National consistency vs. regional accuracy. Forest Inventory and Analysis program of the USDA Forest Service
Harris WF, Goldstein RA, Henderson GS (1973) Analysis of forest biomass pools, annual primary production and turnover of biomass for a mixed deciduous forest watershed. In: Young HE (ed) Proceedings IUFRO symposium working party on forest biomass. University of Maine Press, Orono, Maine
Hoehn R (2010) Personal communication. USDA Forest Service. North Research Station, Syracuse
Husch B, Miller CI, Beers TW (1982) Forest mensuration. Wiley, New York
Jenkins JC, Chojnacky DC, Heath LS, Birdsey RA (2003a) National-scale biomass estimators for United States tree species. For Sci 49(1):12–35
Jenkins JC, Chojnacky DC, Heath LS, Birdsey RA (2003b) Comprehensive database of diameter-based biomass regressions for North American tree species. General Technical Report/NE-319, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, Newtown Square, p 45
Jo HK (2002) Impacts of urban greenspace on offsetting carbon emissions for middle Korea. J Environ Manage 64(2):115–126
Jo HK, McPherson EG (1995) Carbon storage and flux in urban residential greenspace. J Environ Manage 45:109–133
Lieth H (1963) The role of vegetation in the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. J Geophys Res 68:3887–3898
Maco SE, McPherson EG (2003) A practical approach to assessing structure, function, and value of street tree populations in small communities. J Arboric 29(2):84–97
Markwardt LJ (1930) Comparative strength properties of woods grown in the United States. Technical Bulletin 158, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, p 38
Markwardt LJ, Wilson TR (1935) Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States. Technical Bulletin No. 479, USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, p 113
McHale MR, Burke IC, Lefsky MA, Peper PJ, McPherson EG (2009) Urban forest biomass estimates: is it important to use relationships developed specifically for urban trees? Urban Ecosyst 12:95–113
McPherson EG (1994) Using urban forests for energy efficiency and carbon storage. J For 92:36–41
McPherson EG (1998) Atmospheric carbon dioxide reduction by Sacramento’s urban forest. J Arboric 24(4):215–223
McPherson EG, Simpson JR, Peper PJ, Maco SE, Xiao Q (2005) Municipal forest benefits and costs in five U.S. cities. J For 103(8):411–416
McPherson EG, Simpson JR, Peper PJ, Aguaron E (2008) Urban For. & Climate Change. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany
Nowak DJ (1994) Atmospheric carbon dioxide reduction by Chicago’s urban forest. In: McPherson EG, Nowak DJ, Rowntree R (eds) Chicago’s urban forest ecosystem: results of the Chicago urban forest climate project. General technical report NE-186, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Radnor
Nowak DJ, Crane DE (1998) The Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) Model: quantifying urban forest structure and functions. Integrated tools proceedings, Boise
Nowak DJ, Crane DE (2002) Carbon storage and sequestration by urban trees in the USA. Environ Pollut 116(3):381–389
Nowak DJ, Crane DE, Stevens JC, Ibarra M (2002) Brooklyn’s urban forest. General Technical Report NE-290, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, Newtown Square, p 107
Nowak DJ, Crane DE, Stevens JC, Hoehn RE, Walton JT, Bond J (2008) A ground-based method of assessing urban forest structure and ecosystem services. Arboric Urban For 34(6):347–358
Nowak DJ, Crane DE, Stevens JC, Hoehn RE, Walton JT, Bond J (2010) Sacramento study UFORE Draft Report, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, Newtown Square
Pataki DE, Alig RJ, Fung AS, Golubiewski NE, Kennedy CA, McPherson EG, Nowak DJ, Pouyat RV, Romero-Lankao P (2006) Urban ecosystems and the North American carbon cycle. Glob Clim Change 12:1–11
Peper PJ, McPherson EG, Mori SM (2001a) Predictive equations for dimensions and leaf area of coastal Southern California street trees. J Arboric 27:169–180
Peper PJ, McPherson EG, Mori SM (2001b) Equations for predicting diameter, height, crown width, and leaf area of San Joaquin Valley street trees. J Arboric 27:306–317
Pillsbury NH, Kirkley ML (1984) Equations for total, wood and saw-log volume for thirteen California hardwoods. Research Note PNW-414, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, p 52
Pillsbury NH, Reimer JL, Thompson RP (1998) Tree Volume Equations for Fifteen Urban Species in California. Technical Report 7, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo,p 56
Radiata Pine Breeding Co. Ltd (RPBC) (2003) Radiata pine wood density. Information Bulletin Number 2. RPBC, Rotorua, New Zealand, p. 4
Schreuder HT, Bain S, Czaplewski RC (2003) Accuracy assessment of percent canopy cover, cover type, and size class. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-108, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, p 10
Simpson WT (1993) Specific gravity, moisture content, and density relationship for wood. General Technical Report FPR-GTR-76, U.S. Dept. of Agric., Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, p 13
Simpson JR, McPherson EG (2000) Effects of urban trees on regional energy use and avoided carbon. 3rd urban environment symposium; 2000 August 14–18; Davis, CA, American Meteorological Society, Washington, DC, pp 143–144
Stoffberg GH, van Rooyen MW, van der Linde MJ, Groeneveld HT (2010) Carbon sequestration estimates of indigenous street trees in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Urban For Urban Green 9(1):9–14
Tritton LM, Hornbeck JW (1982) Biomass Equations for Major Tree Species of the Northeast. NE General Technical Report No. 69, USDA Forest Service, Broomall
Wenger KF (1984) Forestry handbook. Wiley, New York
Whittaker RH, Likens GE (1973) Carbon in the biota. In: Woodell GM, Pecans EV (eds) Proceedings of the 24th Brookhaven symposium in biology: 16–18 May 1972, US Atomic Energy Commission. Technical Information Services. Office of Information Services, Upton, pp 281–302
Xiao Q (1998) Rainfall interception by urban forests. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of California, Davis
Xiao Q, Ustin SL, McPherson EG (2004) Using AVIRIS data and multiple-masking techniques to map urban forest trees species. Int J Remote Sens 25(24):5637–5654
Zhao M, Escobedo F, Staudhammer C (2010) Spatial patterns of a subtropical, coastal urban forest: implications for land tenure, hurricanes and invasives. Urban For Urban Green. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2010.01.008
Acknowledgments
We want to thank the Sacramento Tree Foundation for their field data collection and support for this research. This study would not be possible without funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Aguaron, E., McPherson, E.G. (2012). Comparison of Methods for Estimating Carbon Dioxide Storage by Sacramento’s Urban Forest. In: Lal, R., Augustin, B. (eds) Carbon Sequestration in Urban Ecosystems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2366-5_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2366-5_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-2365-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-2366-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)