Carbon sequestration of four urban parks in Rome

Urban parks form the largest proportion of public green spaces contributing to both physical and mental well-being of people living in urban areas. CO2 sequestration capability of the vegetation developing in parks of four historical residences (Villa Pamphjli, Villa Ada Savoia, Villa Borghese and Villa Tor-lonia) in Rome and its economic value were analyzed. Villa Pamphjli and Villa Ada Savoia having a larger vegetation extension (165.04 ha and 134.33 ha, respectively), also had a larger total yearly CO2 sequestration per hectare (CS) (780 MgCO2 ha(-1) year(-1) and 998 MgCO2 ha(-1) year(-1), respectively) than Villa Borghese (664 MgCO2 ha(-1) year(-1)) and Villa Torlonia (755 MgCO2 ha(-1) year(-1)), which had a lower vegetation extension (56.72 ha and 9.70 ha, respectively). CS was significantly correlated with leaf area index (LAI). The calculated CS for the four parks (3197 MgCO2 ha(-1) year(-1)), corresponding to 3.6% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of Rome for 2010, resulted in an annual economic value of $23537 /ha.