This study quantified CO2, SO2 and NO2 uptake by vegetation for the Namsan Nature Park in Seoul, and explored values for the park to contribute to atmospheric purification. Broad-leaved forest accounted for about 54% of total forest area, and tree-age...
This study quantified CO2, SO2 and NO2 uptake by vegetation for the Namsan Nature Park in Seoul, and explored values for the park to contribute to atmospheric purification. Broad-leaved forest accounted for about 54% of total forest area, and tree-age structure was dominated by a young, growing tree population. Tree density and basal area averaged 17.5 trees/100m2 and 2,580 cm2/100m2, respectively. Atmospheric purification per unit area by forest type and age class was greater in older age classes, associated with changes in basal area, and tended to be greater in broad-leaved or mixed forest than in coniferous forest for the same age classes. Mean CO2 storage per unit area for all the forest types and age classes was 293.8 t/ha and economic value of the CO2 storage was ₩147 millions/ha. Annual uptake averaged 24.6 t/ha/yr for CO2, 17.1 kg/ha/yr for SO2 and 43.9 kg/ha/yr for NO2, and economic value of the annual uptake was ₩13 millions/ha/yr. Total forest area stored 72,100 t of CO2, and annually sequestered 6,040 t/yr of CO2, 4,200 kg/yr of SO2 and 10,770 kg/yr of NO2. Economic value of atmospheric purification for the entire area amounted to approximately ₩36,100 millions for the CO2 storage, and ₩3,100 millions/yr for the annual CO2, SO2 and NO2 uptake. The park played an important role through annually offsetting CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption by 1,100 persons, SO2 emissions by 2,800 persons, and NO2 emissions by 1,160 persons. The results from this study are expected to be useful not merely in informing the public of atmospheric purification values of urban nature parks, but in urging the necessity for replanting and management budgets.