University of Twente Student Theses
Mapping and estimation of Carbon Stock of Roadside Woody Vegetation along Roadways in Eastern Overijssel, the Netherlands
Wysowski, Brandon (2010) Mapping and estimation of Carbon Stock of Roadside Woody Vegetation along Roadways in Eastern Overijssel, the Netherlands.
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| Abstract: | Despite the growing evidence of the effect of roadside wood vegetation on carbon storage, few studies have been carried out especially at local level in most countries. Roadside vegetation serves many ecosystem values, such as, increase in biodiversity, aesthetic value, and carbon sequestration and stock. With the increasing emission levels of Green House Gases (GHG) globally, there is need to explore the carbon potential of non-notified forests like roadside woody vegetation. The aim of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of roadside wood vegetation species biodiversity and to assess the carbon stock potential of roadside wood vegetation. The research was undertaken in Eastern Overijssel province, the Netherlands. A total of 92 sample plots were collected and analyzed using optical imagery and 14 species were identified. The dominant species in the area were Quercus robur and Quercus rubra, which corresponds to nearly two thirds of all sampled trees. A half of the area along expressways was available for conversion to ecological corridors. The main road land had almost 2/3 of its land available for conversion, but only 1/5 was recommended as potential ecological corridors. Scenario analysis revealed that selective tree planting does not necessarily decrease the carbon stock of roadside vegetation, but selecting one species can lead to less biodiversity. Generally the carbon stock estimates from the study were overestimated due to site conditions and underestimation of the study area size. Better results could be obtained by not estimating by area, but rather by carbon per kilometer of roadway; furthermore, by availing better information (or studies) to further help in accurately assessing the growth conditions of trees along roads. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | ITC: Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation |
| Programme: | Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation MSc (75014) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/90737 |
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