Assessing ecosystem services of urban green spaces: the case of Eugene Pioneer Cemetery, Eugene, OR (USA)

Objective: The objective of this study was to quantify four regulating ecosystem services; carbon sequestration and storage, avoided run-off, air pollution removal by trees and oxygen production in the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery, OR (USA). Material and Methods: For data preparation the field data of trees was collected on paper data sheets. Collected data in the field were land-use type, tree species, diameters of breast height-DBH (cm), total tree height (m), live crown height (m), crown base height (m), and crown percent missing. In data analysis I-Tree Eco model version 6 developed by the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station was used. Results: The gross sequestration of the cemetery trees is about 7,136 metric tons of carbon per year. Trees in the cemetery were estimated to store 1,610 metric tons of carbon. The trees and shrubs of the cemetery help to avoid run-off by an estimated 452 cubic meters a year. It was estimated that trees remove 143,9 kilograms of air pollutions. Trees in the cemetery were estimated to produce 19,03 metric tons of oxygen per year. Conclusion: This study recommends large green areas (large permeable surfaces) and trees with large crowns in the planting design as a better solution for regulating ecosystem services.