Another area that may leave room for inaccuracies in the data stems from the fact that some of the sample plots have not been field checked recently . This means that some of these records are not up to date . The data pertaining to diameter may be slightly different if measured more recently compared to the extant data . It may not be much different since older trees are not actively growing as much and expanding in diameter compared to younger specimens ( Johnson et al . 2009 ). A more concerning situation that may occur with inaccurate records is that a younger tree may have failed without detection and so seems alive in the system and accounted for in sequestration totals . The chances of this happening are low , but are still something to consider .
The most important thing to take into account is that these numbers are an estimate . To get more exact numbers , every tree would need to be measured at the start of the study . This type of surveying would take years to accomplish for 4,698 trees . It would take less time with more aid in measurement , but the more hands involved invites room for error . The method of selecting sample plots as a representative of the cemetery ’ s tree composition was deemed the most efficient way of estimating carbon storage and sequestration totals .
RESULTS & CONCLUSION
In the report generated by i-Tree , the carbon stored 1 in the seven sample plots was found to be 816.1 tons . This equates to an estimated 3.68 thousand tons of carbon stored 1 in Mount Auburn Cemetery . The annually sequestered carbon 2 totals in the sample plots were found to be 17.56 tons . This equates to an estimated 79.1 tons of carbon sequestered 2 annually by Mount Auburn ’ s trees . To put these numbers into perspective , Mount Auburn Cemetery ’ s trees sequester about the same amount of carbon per acre as a 100-year-old , mixed hardwood New England forest ( Catanzaro & D ’ amato 2019 ). Though we match in sequestered totals with local forests , we fall short when comparing storage totals . This discrepancy is due to the fact that the species and age of the trees are not the only factors in determining a carbon pool of an area . There are other things to be considered such as deadwood , leaf litter , and soil disturbance ( Vermont Dept . Forests , Parks & Recreation 2017 ). Even so , it is incredible that Mount Auburn Cemetery ’ s sequestration totals are comparable to those of local natural landscapes . It shows what decades of dedicated horticultural management and planting trees can do for the environment .
Although Mount Auburn Cemetery cannot offset its carbon emissions with its trees alone , the trees still provide many other important ecosystem services . They aid in rain water runoff , removing pollutants from the air , and providing a natural respite for grieving families and those looking for a break from the city . The trees ’ presence plays a key role in climate change mitigation and are a piece in the working puzzle of climate action planning . Preserving what we have and sustainably planting new each year will continue to move the needle in the right direction .
REFERENCES & DEFINITIONS : ₁ . Carbon storage : “ Carbon storage is the amount of carbon bound up in the above-ground and below-ground parts of woody vegetation .” ( i-Tree 2016 )
₂ . Carbon sequestration : “ Carbon sequestration is the removal of carbon dioxide from the air by plants .” ( i-Tree 2016 )
Mount Auburn Cemetery | Climate Action & Sustainability Plan 96