Abstract
In response to growing concerns about carbon emission and climate change, recent studies have investigated in carbon storage, carbon neutralization and carbon sequestration. In this study, I expanded on this body of work by investigating the carbon sequestration rates of soft landscapes in the University of British Columbia Vancouver campus and compare their carbon sequestration capacity. The significance of carbon sequestration rates in soft landscapes is discussed in the context of urban planning and the role of vegetation in mitigating climate change. LiDAR data and aerial photos are used to estimate above-ground carbon sequestration, and GIS and R are used for data analysis. The research objectives are to compare the attributes of different soft landscapes, estimate their carbon sequestration rates, identify which soft landscapes have the highest carbon sequestration capacity, and discuss the limitations of the study and possible improvements for future research. The proposed methods include data pre-processing, developing a canopy height model, and estimating carbon sequestration capacity for each soft landscape area. The study aims to provide valuable insights for optimizing urban soft landscape services to increase carbon storage in cities, and to explore the potential for incorporating soft landscapes as a sustainable urban infrastructure element for carbon sequestration. Moreover, the findings of this study may inform decisions regarding the implementation of sustainable landscape design practices that can be applied to new and existing urban green spaces, with the goal of maximizing the potential of soft landscapes to provide ecosystem services that benefit human well-being and the environment.
MGEM Student: Yichi Zhang
Community Partner: SEEDS Biodiversity Coordinator
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Zhang, Yichi, 2023, “Comparing the Level of Carbon Sequestration Capability of Different Soft Landscape in UBC”, https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/OBWUIZ, Borealis, V1