As for ecosystem benefits , imagine a heavy downpour . Tree canopies help slow down the initial rush of water . The understory vegetation reduces storm water sheetflow and its power to overwhelm catch basins , which causes erosion and negatively impacts wildlife habitat . According to iTree , Mount Auburn ’ s trees avoid 94,770ft3 of runoff , which is equivalent to emptying about 24,000 bathtubs each filled with 30 gallons of water . Fortunately , storm water percolates down through the soil and recharges the aquifer . Based on a 2002 study by Emery & Garret Groundwater 3 , the perviousness of Mount Auburn ’ s landscape recharges the aquifer at an estimated 92 million gallons in one year of average rainfall . So , the trees slow down the rain , the understory reduces sheetflow , and the ground layer absorbs water . Natural systems are amazing .
Maintaining these natural systems , in this case starting with the trees , requires innovative landscape maintenance and long-term planning ensuring plant health . Adding new plants and diversifying species through wise policies with an eye on the impact of climate change will ensure long-term successful carbon storage and sequestration as well as oxygen-rich air to breath and a beautiful , in fact , priceless landscape .
SAMPLE USED WITH iTREE
Ecosystem Benefits of Trees Across Mount Auburn ' s 175 Acres iTree Categories Ecosystem Benefits iTree Sample units $ All MAC units $
Number of Trees |
1,047 |
4,968 |
Acreage |
32.57 |
175 |
Hort Sections |
10 , 14 , 16 , 43 , 53 , 54 , 55 |
1-60 |
Tree Cover |
42.50 % |
48.15 % |
|
|
Sugar maple ( Acer saccharum ), Dogwood ( Cornus |
|
Sugar maple ( Acer saccharum ), Northern red oak , |
florida ), Eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus ), Northern |
Most Common Species Pct of trees less than 6 " |
( Quercus rubra ), Eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus )
41.20 %
|
red oak , ( Quercus rubra ) |
Pollution Removal |
703.7 lbs / year |
$ |
17,900 |
year |
3,170.0 lbs / yr |
$ |
80,600 |
yr |
Oxygen Production |
46.82 tons / year |
|
|
|
211 tons / yr |
|
|
|
Avoided Runoff |
21,400 ft3 |
$ |
1,410 year |
94,770 ft3 |
Structural values |
$
3,260,000
|
$ |
14,700,000 |
Carbon Storage |
816.1 tons |
$ |
139,000 |
year |
3,680.0 tons |
$ |
626,000 |
yr |
conversion t to mt |
740.6 mt |
|
|
|
3,339.4 mt |
|
|
|
C to CO2 conversion |
2,715.4 |
mtCO2e |
12,244.5 |
mtCO2e |
Carbon Sequestration |
17.56 tons / year |
$ |
2,990 |
year |
79.1 tons / year |
$ |
13,500 |
yr |
conversion t to mt |
15.9 mt / year |
|
|
|
71.8 mt / year |
|
|
|
C to CO2 conversion |
58.4 |
mtCO2e / year |
263.2 |
mtCO2e / year |
The total carbon stored in the tree trunks is the 3,339.4 metric tonnes of carbon ( mtC ). To get a sense of the magnitude of carbon storage when compared with Mount Auburn ’ net carbon footprint of 614.52 mtCO2e , this carbon ( C ) storage figure is the equivalent of 12,244.5 mtCO2e . These figures are enormous , however they are a grand total ; they have not been annualized . In order to determine the potential carbon offset per year , tree growth between two periods need to be compared , then the yearly offset amount could be calculated , based on new plantings and tree
3
Consultant to Mount Auburn on permitting and pumping water from the aquifer required by MA DEP .
Mount Auburn Cemetery | Climate Action & Sustainability Plan 34