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Quantifying and Optimizing Vegetation Carbon Storage in Building-Attached Green Spaces for Sustainable Urban Development

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  • Wenjun Peng

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
    Key Laboratory of Intelligent Health Perception and Ecological Restoration of Rivers and Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Xinqiang Zou

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Yanyan Huang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Hui Li

    (School of Navigation, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China)

Abstract

Public building-attached green spaces are increasingly important urban carbon sinks, yet their carbon sequestration potential remains poorly understood and underutilized. This study quantified vegetation carbon storage across three attached green space typologies (green square, roof garden, and sunken courtyard) at a representative public building in Wuhan, China, using field surveys and species-specific allometric equations. Total carbon storage reached 19,873.43 kg C, dominated by the green square (84.98%), followed by a roof garden (12.29%) and sunken courtyard (2.72%). Regression analysis revealed strong correlations between carbon storage and morphological traits, with diameter at breast height (DBH) showing the highest predictive power for trees (r = 0.976 for evergreen, 0.821 for deciduous), while crown diameter (CD) best predicted shrub carbon storage (r = 0.833). Plant configuration optimization strategies were developed through correlation analysis and ecological principles, including replacing low carbon sequestering species with high carbon native species, enhancing vertical stratification, and implementing multi-layered planting. These strategies increased total carbon storage by 131.5% to 45,964.00 kg C, with carbon density rising from 2.00 kg C∙m −2 to 4.63 kg C∙m −2 . The findings provide a quantitative framework and practical strategies for integrating carbon management into the design of building-attached green spaces, supporting climate-responsive urban planning and advancing sustainable development goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjun Peng & Xinqiang Zou & Yanyan Huang & Hui Li, 2025. "Quantifying and Optimizing Vegetation Carbon Storage in Building-Attached Green Spaces for Sustainable Urban Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:8088-:d:1745072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qingqing Li & Yueru Zhu & Zunling Zhu, 2022. "Calculation and Optimization of the Carbon Sink Benefits of Green Space Plants in Residential Areas: A Case Study of Suojin Village in Nanjing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Peiyuan Tao & Ye Lin & Xing Wang & Jiayan Li & Chao Ma & Zhenkun Wang & Xinyue Dong & Peng Yao & Ming Shao, 2023. "Optimization of Green Spaces in Plain Urban Areas to Enhance Carbon Sequestration," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-25, June.
    3. Hongbo Guo & Enzai Du & César Terrer & Robert B. Jackson, 2024. "Global distribution of surface soil organic carbon in urban greenspaces," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Peihao Song & Gunwoo Kim & Audrey Mayer & Ruizhen He & Guohang Tian, 2020. "Assessing the Ecosystem Services of Various Types of Urban Green Spaces Based on i-Tree Eco," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Nancy L. Harris & David A. Gibbs & Alessandro Baccini & Richard A. Birdsey & Sytze Bruin & Mary Farina & Lola Fatoyinbo & Matthew C. Hansen & Martin Herold & Richard A. Houghton & Peter V. Potapov & D, 2021. "Global maps of twenty-first century forest carbon fluxes," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(3), pages 234-240, March.
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