Carbon sequestration capability of Fagus sylvatica forests developing in the Majella National Park (Central Apennines,Italy)

Terrestrial ecosystems represent a major sink for atmospheric carbon(C) and temperate forests play an important role in global C cycling, contributing to lower atmospheric carbon dioxide(CO2) concentration through photosynthesis. The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change highlights that the forestry sector has great potential to decrease atmospheric CO2concentration compared to other sectoral mitigation activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate CO2sequestration(CO2S)capability of Fag us sylvatica(beech) growing in the Orfento Valley within Majella National Park(Abruzzo,Italy). We compared F. sylvatica areas subjected to thinning(one high-forest and one coppice) and no-management areas(two high-forests and two coppices). The results show a mean CO2S of 44.3 ± 2.6 Mg CO2ha-1a-1,corresponding to 12.1 ± 0.7 Mg C ha-1a-1the no-managed areas having a 28% higher value than the managed areas. The results highlight that thinning that allows seed regeneration can support traditional management practices such as civic use in some areas while no management should be carried out in the reserve in order to give priority to the objective of conservation and naturalistic improvement of the forest heritage.

Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Capability of the Botanical Garden of Rome: Environmental and Economic Benefits

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gases contributing to increase air temperature. Urban areas covered by parks, gardens, tree-lined avenues, sports fields, and hedges are important sinks for CO2. Urban green areas should include the Botanical Gardens, taking into consideration their key role in ex situ plant conservation as well as air quality amelioration and social benefits. In such context, the CO2 sequestration capability of the most representative plant collections developing in the Botanical Garden of Rome and their influence on microclimate was analyzed. Our results highlight that plant collections have a CO2 sequestration capability of 6947 Mg CO2 year-1. The CO2 sequestration capability and air temperature lowering by plant collections growing in the Botanical Garden have positive effects (p ≤ 0.05) on the surrounding area resulting in 4% CO2 concentration and 1°C air temperature decreasing at 150 m from the centre of the Garden.

Relationship between Atmospheric CO₂Concentration and Vegetation in a Hospital Area: The Policlinico Umberto I in Rome

The capability of the plants growing in the Policlinico Umberto I, one of the most important hospitals in Rome, to lower carbon dioxide (CO2) and air temperature was analyzed. The CO2 concentration inside and outside the hospital and traffic density in the streets surrounding the area was monitored monthly. Measurements of structural plant traits were carried out. The highest CO2 concentration was monitored in winter-spring (425 ± 8 ppm, mean value) when traffic density peaks, decreasing by 17% in summer. During the day-time, the highest CO2 concentration (433 ± 61 ppm, mean value) was measured in the first hours of the morning (9:00) decreasing by 12% from 11.00 to 13.00 in relationship with traffic density decreasing (p 0.05). Among the greening present in the hospital area, the “group of trees” plays an important role in lowering CO2 concentration compared to meadows. Moreover, outside the Policlinico air temperature was, on average, 17% higher compared to the inside. The results show the effectiveness of plants in improving air quality and suggest that greening traits may be used to realise an inventory available for tree planting programs to ameliorate the quality of life.