Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Assessment of Carbon Sequestration in the U.S. Residential Landscape

Zirkle, Gina N.

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Soil Science.
Since the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of CO2 (carbon dioxide) have been increasing. To mitigate or slow the accession of CO2, research in the areas of terrestrial and soil C (carbon) sequestration is on the rise. This study focuses on the potential of residential landscapes to sequester C. Urbanized land covers approximately 40.6 Mha (million hectares) in the U.S with approximately 41% of the U.S. urban areas are used for residential neighborhoods. As urbanization increases, the percentage of land converted into residential homes and landscapes is also increasing. Turfgrasses are common in urban areas and cover 16 – 20 Mha in the U.S. which includes residential, commercial, and institutional lawns, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields. Home lawns constitute approximately 6.4 Mha of this turfgrass area. In this study tree, shrub, and lawn C sequestration rates are estimated based on 80 million U.S. single family residential homes with a residential lot size of 2,000 m2. A typical US home is 93 m2 with a 2-car garage or carport size of 38 m2 and a deck or patio of 38 m2. The house is assumed to be sited in the middle of the lot, with a driveway size of 168 m2 and a sidewalk size of 122 m2. The remaining area of 1,541 m2 is landscape. The first model estimates the influence of home lawns on net soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration taking into account the hidden carbon costs (HCC) of fertilizer, mowing, irrigation, and pesticide applications. SOC sequestration and HCC data rates are established from literature. The net SOC sequestration rate is assessed by subtracting the HCC from gross SOC sequestered. Lawn maintenance practices range from low to high management. Low management or minimal input (MI) includes mowing only, with a net SOC sequestration rate of 63.5 – 69.7 kg C lawn-1 yr-1. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) management by homeowners is 107.7 – 124.8 kg C lawn-1 yr-1. High management is based on university and industry-standard best management recommendation practices (BMPs) and has a net SOC sequestration rate of 85.3 – 142.9 kg C lawn-1 yr-1. The next model uses the SOC sequestration rates from the previous model and incorporated trees and shrubs using two landscape regimes. The first model has a minimal landscape with one landscape bed in the front of the house 13 m long containing 5 – 10 shrubs approximately 0.6 – 1.2 m in length and width, 2 trees, and a minimal managed lawn. The second model has a maximum landscape with several landscape beds 43 m long surrounding the perimeter of the house containing 17 – 25 shrubs approximately 0.6 – 1.2 meters in length and width, 6 trees, and highly maintained lawn. Tree sequestration rates are determined by average sequestration rates available from literature and the size of the 10 most common species found in the U.S. shrub sequestration rates are a fraction of that to trees based on relative canopy size. Total or gross C sequestration rate for trees are 3.4 – 5.9 kg C tree-1 yr-1and 0.07 – 0.24 kg C shrub-1 yr-1. A minimal landscaped yard sequesters 111.5 – 139.4 kg C yard-1 yr-1. Approximately 7.4% is sequestered by trees, 1.1% by shrubs, and 91.5% by the lawn. A maximum landscape yard sequesters 110.9 – 262.8 kg C yard-1 yr-1 with 14.9% from trees, 2.6% by shrubs, and 82.5% by the lawn. Results support the conclusion that residential landscapes are a positive net sink for atmospheric CO2 under all evaluated levels of landscapes. Even though there are HCC associated with lawn management practices, the potential for soils to sequester C may offset these costs. Residential landscapes have a significant influence on the C cycle. Therefore, these landscapes should be included in regional, national, and global C budget estimations.
Rattan Lal (Advisor)
Nicholas Basta (Committee Chair)
Karl Danneberger (Committee Chair)
Michael Boehm (Committee Chair)
106 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zirkle, G. N. (2010). Assessment of Carbon Sequestration in the U.S. Residential Landscape [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1267189156

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zirkle, Gina. Assessment of Carbon Sequestration in the U.S. Residential Landscape. 2010. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1267189156.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zirkle, Gina. "Assessment of Carbon Sequestration in the U.S. Residential Landscape." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1267189156

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)