Estimation of carbon storage in green space soil based on plant decomposition characteristics.

Abstract

The carbon sequestration function of green spaces was evaluated based on the decomposition characteristics of plants. We collected plants in July, when grasslands are mowed, and again in November, when they regenerate after mowing, to represent the plants that grow in a year. The plant materials were divided according to the collection period. The plant materials were mixed into soil, and the change in the rate of CO₂ release from the plant materials was measured to estimate the amount of carbon that was decomposed into CO₂. The proportion of carbon decomposed into CO₂ out of the total carbon in the plant material was approximately 30%. To quantitatively evaluate the carbon sequestration function of green spaces over a short period, it is effective to determine the amount of carbon sequestered by plants and the proportion of that carbon that remains as organic matter after plant decomposition.