Conservation value and carbon sequestration potential of urban green spaces in a growing city: Case of the city of Bouaflé

Abstract

Faced with the effects of climate change, green spaces are very determining in the provision of ecosystem services, particularly in carbon sequestration. This is why, from a perspective of sustainable management of these high-value spaces, this study was carried out. Surface and itinerant survey methods were combined to collect floristic data. At the end of the inventories, 99 species distributed between 33 families and 75 genera including 24 species with special status were recorded in eight (08) types of development. The total biomass of all the species inventoried at Bouaflé is 4385.78 t, corresponding to a carbon rate of 2192.91 t for a CO2 equivalent of 8047.99 t. The economic value of the rate of CO2 sequestered by all types of development varies from 24143.97 Euros, or 15814274 FCFA according to the CDM carbon price to 112671.86 Euros, or 73800068 FCFA according to the REDD+ carbon price. Social and educational establishments recorded the highest biomass (1841.88 t) while the lowest biomass (5.53 t) was estimated in sports equipment. The average biomass estimated in all types of development is of the order of 232.02±185.64 t/ha, which corresponds to a carbon rate of 116.01±92.82 t/ha and an equivalent CO2 of 425.76±340.65 t/ha. Considering each type of development, the average value of biomass varies between 24.83 t/ha in sports facilities and 468.79 t/ha in cemeteries.