JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2024, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (2): 209-218.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202206031

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Effects of vegetation distribution on the carbon neutrality performance of urban green spaces

YANG Yunfeng(), YU Chunhua   

  1. College of Landscape Architecture,Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing 210037, China
  • Received:2022-06-20 Revised:2022-12-10 Online:2024-03-30 Published:2024-04-08

Abstract:

【Objective】 To provide a theoretical reference for urban green space construction under the “Dual Carbon” goal, we established a carbon neutrality performance evaluation system and analyzed the impacts of vegetation distribution on the carbon neutrality performance of green spaces. 【Method】 Based on life cycle assessments, green space construction was divided into three stages: material production and transportation, site construction and planting, and green space operation and maintenance, which were combined with open, semi-open, covered and closed vegetation types. Carbon emissions and sink simulations were performed to analyze the carbon neutrality performance.【Result】 When the vegetation type changed from openness to closedness, the total carbon emissions increased rapidly and the trend accelerated. The proportions of carbon sources in the three stages decreased, leveled out and increased, respectively. The total carbon sink and net carbon neutrality both increased gradually. The number of years of carbon neutrality decreased gradually, from 43.9 years for open vegetation to 24.6 years for closed vegetation. These trends implied that there was a limit to the degree of vegetation shading for improving the carbon neutrality performance.【Conclusion】 Vegetation type clearly has an impact on the carbon neutrality performance. In terms of carbon sources, strategies such as reducing machinery use, selecting environmentally friendly materials, controlling construction damage, and improving energy utilization efficiency are suggested. For carbon sinks, strategies such as selecting tree species that have dominant local carbon sinks, adjusting the structures of vegetation communities, and regulating and managing green spaces along with life cycles are suggested. Ultimately, we postulate that green space carbon neutrality performance can be achieved by adapting to local conditions.

Key words: green space, carbon neutrality performance, carbon emission, carbon sink, life cycle assessment, spatial type of vegetation

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