Over the past decades the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have increased contributing to emphasize the effects of global climate change. A large share of global greenhouse emissions is attributable to cities, accounting for more than 71% of the energy related to global greenhouse gases, which is expected to rise to 76% by 2030. In particular, cities represent a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere due to the anthropogenic emissions originating from road traffic and local heating with natural gas, oil or coal. Nevertheless, there are comparatively large segments of urban areas covered by parks having an important role in the local carbon cycle of the city. The objective of this research was to quantify CO2 sequestration and temperature lowering capability by urban parks in Rome. The results underline that parks extending over larger areas (Villa Pamphilj and Villa Borghese, 180 and 80 ha, respectively) and characterized by a larger tree coverage (81 and 60 ha, respectively) have a significant role in the surrounding areas than those extending over small areas (Villa Torlonia and Villa Celimontana, 14 and 11 ha, respectively) with a lower tree coverage (7 and 6.6 ha, respectively). Moreover, the air amelioration capability by parks is extended over 300 m in the surrounding areas with a significant decrease of air temperature and CO2 concentration, on an average, of 4% and 22%, respectively. Thus, the urban heat island can be positively influenced by tree coverage, and both evergreen and deciduous species decrease air temperature through shading and transpiration. More efforts should be made to improve urban strategies, such as increasing tree species and considering that not correct pruning practices can reduce or avoid plants amelioration capability. Understanding the relationship among urban vegetation and air quality can facilitate future urban design enhancing environmental and social benefits.
Environmental benefits derived by urban parks: carbon dioxide (CO2) lowering and microclimate amelioration / Gratani, Loretta; Bonito, Andrea; Naimoli, M.; Varone, Laura. - ELETTRONICO. - (2014), pp. 71-71. (Intervento presentato al convegno European Conference of Arboriculture “Planning the Green City: Relationships Between Trees and Infrastructures” tenutosi a Torino nel 26-28 Maggio 2014).
Environmental benefits derived by urban parks: carbon dioxide (CO2) lowering and microclimate amelioration
GRATANI, Loretta;BONITO, ANDREA;VARONE, LAURA
2014
Abstract
Over the past decades the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have increased contributing to emphasize the effects of global climate change. A large share of global greenhouse emissions is attributable to cities, accounting for more than 71% of the energy related to global greenhouse gases, which is expected to rise to 76% by 2030. In particular, cities represent a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere due to the anthropogenic emissions originating from road traffic and local heating with natural gas, oil or coal. Nevertheless, there are comparatively large segments of urban areas covered by parks having an important role in the local carbon cycle of the city. The objective of this research was to quantify CO2 sequestration and temperature lowering capability by urban parks in Rome. The results underline that parks extending over larger areas (Villa Pamphilj and Villa Borghese, 180 and 80 ha, respectively) and characterized by a larger tree coverage (81 and 60 ha, respectively) have a significant role in the surrounding areas than those extending over small areas (Villa Torlonia and Villa Celimontana, 14 and 11 ha, respectively) with a lower tree coverage (7 and 6.6 ha, respectively). Moreover, the air amelioration capability by parks is extended over 300 m in the surrounding areas with a significant decrease of air temperature and CO2 concentration, on an average, of 4% and 22%, respectively. Thus, the urban heat island can be positively influenced by tree coverage, and both evergreen and deciduous species decrease air temperature through shading and transpiration. More efforts should be made to improve urban strategies, such as increasing tree species and considering that not correct pruning practices can reduce or avoid plants amelioration capability. Understanding the relationship among urban vegetation and air quality can facilitate future urban design enhancing environmental and social benefits.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
