Urban tree species and their ability to absorb CO2

All the carbon dioxide emissions They are a concern for cities, so they are looking for ways to reduce or absorb this pollutant.

La Junta de Andalucía and the University of Seville are working on the project called "Forests by cities". Which consists of taking a public area of ​​the city and planting a significant number of trees and plants to form an urban forest mass with indigenous species that absorbs carbon dioxide.

It was investigated which are the species that had the greatest capacity for absorb CO2 and it was concluded that trees such as lemon, bitter orange, gall oak and laurel are those with the highest CO2 sequestration. As for the bushes, the most efficient ones are oleander, ligustrina, lavender, and palm.

The use of these species in urban areas will not only improve the air quality since it filters particles and pollutants, but they will also achieve an aesthetic and landscape improvement of the cities, they will be able to absorb more water so it helps to prevent flooding, regulate the temperature of the environment, reduce noise, among other benefits.

It is estimated that 2000 trees with a high capacity to absorb CO2 can sequester 160 tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is a lot for a city. If to this is added the reduction of pollution from vehicles and industries, a significant improvement in the the environment.

The natural CO2 sinks They are very necessary but it is not enough if emissions are not reduced and other actions are also carried out.

Several municipalities in Andalusia are implementing the forest by cities project to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants and collaborate in the fight against climate change.

These types of actions are useful and in general allow them to be replicated in others, so it is a way of promoting concrete actions to reduce CO2 emissions locally.

SOURCE: Ecoticias