{"id":19032,"date":"2025-02-26T15:15:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T15:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=19032"},"modified":"2025-02-26T16:12:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T16:12:38","slug":"urban-trees-in-los-angeles-absorb-more-carbon-dioxide-new-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/urban-trees-in-los-angeles-absorb-more-carbon-dioxide-new-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Urban Trees in Los Angeles Absorb More Carbon Dioxide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A new USC Dornsife study has discovered that Los Angeles&#8217; urban trees absorb more carbon dioxide than expected, providing valuable data that could guide future environmental initiatives and urban planning.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The trees of Los Angeles are more powerful allies in the fight against climate change than previously believed, according to a study from USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The research, conducted under the auspices of USC Dornsife\u2019s Public Exchange, reveals that certain trees in central Los Angeles absorb substantially more carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) than anticipated, especially during the warmer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.est.4c11392\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Published<\/a> in the journal Environmental Science &amp; Technology, the study offers one of the most detailed analyses to date on the role of urban trees in improving air quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings show that vegetation within the study area absorbed up to 60% of daytime fossil fuel CO\u2082 emissions in spring and summer, and approximately 30% annually, positioning Los Angeles among cities with the highest recorded rates of CO\u2082 uptake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Study<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The research team employed the Carbon Census array, a set of 12 high-resolution BEACO\u2082N sensors, to track CO\u2082 levels in real time. These sensors were installed across a 15-by-6-mile section of Los Angeles&#8217; Mid-City, mapping CO\u2082 concentrations as they shifted throughout the urban environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This allowed researchers to account for wind patterns, urban density and other factors crucial in understanding how local greenery mitigates emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can think of emissions like passengers on a train,\u201d Will Berelson, who led the research and is a professor of earth sciences, environmental studies and spatial sciences at USC Dornsife, said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-trees-absorb-more-carbon-emissions-than-expected\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">news release<\/a>. \u201cAs the wind moves pollution through the city, some gets picked up and some gets dropped off. These sensors let us see that process in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In contrast to models that estimate CO\u2082 based on fuel sales or static traffic data, this study monitored emissions directly over an extended period, from July 2021 to December 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By differentiating CO\u2082 from fossil fuels from that produced by living organisms through carbon monoxide (CO), a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, the researchers obtained a more precise and localized estimation of emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the study focused on a specific section of Los Angeles, its implications extend to urban areas globally, offering a template for improving air quality through strategic planting and other green initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, the research identified that trees absorb the most CO\u2082 in the summer, despite the season&#8217;s dryness in Los Angeles. This unexpected result likely owes to irrigation, groundwater from leaky pipes and resilient tree species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the study also emphasized that urban vegetation alone cannot fully counterbalance emissions from vehicles, buildings and industrial activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This research forms a cornerstone for the USC Urban Trees Initiative, a collaborative effort between USC, the City of Los Angeles and local community organizations aimed at expanding urban greenery in under-served neighborhoods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By pinpointing where trees most effectively absorb carbon, the findings provide actionable data to steer future planting projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNature is helping us, but we can\u2019t rely on it to do all the work,\u201d Berelson added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study estimates urban vegetation absorbs about 30% of annual fossil fuel emissions in the study area, underscoring the need for comprehensive measures such as clean energy adoption, improved public transportation and broader emissions cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Encouraged by this study\u2019s success, the USC team has broadened its sensor network, adding eight more BEACO\u2082N sensors to cover areas east of the original site and extending into Santa Monica. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These sensors, developed through the University of California, Berkeley\u2019s BEACO\u2082N project, supply urban areas with high-resolution emissions data that were previously inaccessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur goal is to monitor more areas of L.A. to define baseline values of CO\u2082 emissions and identify where vegetation is making the biggest impact and where more greenery is needed,\u201d concluded Berenson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Los Angeles aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, this research indicates that while urban greenery can significantly aid in reducing CO\u2082 levels, the critical step remains cutting fossil fuel use. The data-driven approach exemplified by the Carbon Census array provides a promising pathway for cities worldwide to better monitor and reduce their carbon footprints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The trees of Los Angeles are more powerful allies in the fight against climate change than previously believed, according to a study from USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The research, conducted under the auspices of USC Dornsife\u2019s Public Exchange, reveals that certain trees in central Los Angeles absorb substantially more carbon dioxide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[40],"class_list":["post-19032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate-and-environment","tag-university-of-southern-california"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The trees of Los Angeles are more powerful allies in the fight against climate change than previously believed, according to a study from USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The research, conducted under the auspices of USC Dornsife\u2019s Public Exchange, reveals that certain trees in central Los Angeles absorb substantially more carbon dioxide&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19032"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19049,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19032\/revisions\/19049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}