Measuring Carbon Sequestration of University of Delaware’s Central Campus

• Ekaterina Hampton, Biological Sciences, Shippensburg University

• Chris Williams, Wildlife Biology and Entomology, University of Delaware
• Zack Hammaker, Landscape and Architecture, University of Delaware

Carbon dioxide emissions remain on an unstable growth trajectory reaching a new high in 2022 of more than 36.8 billion tons (IEA, 2023). Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing, securing, and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (CLEAR Center, 2022). Plants are an efficient method of removing the CO₂ from the atmosphere and being able to store it until it dies; thus, counteracting carbon emissions from fossil fuels causing climate change. This research aims to develop a map of the University of Delaware Campus that designates impervious surfaces (sidewalks, roads, and buildings) grass, and landscaping as well as calculating how much carbon is being sequestered by the green spaces on campus with the intention of estimate the carbon sequestration occurring by the University’s green spaces. GIS Arc Pro was utilized to design a map of central campus based on satellite imagery with the help of previously developed vector files. The map was taken into the field to help differentiate between landscaping and turfgrass. Landscaping was determined to be vegetation without grass underneath such as shrubs or garden beds. An amount of carbon sequestered was then calculated based on values through research in which turfgrass sequesters 0.23 kg/C/m²/year and landscaping sequesters about 0.76 kg C/m². The central campus was measured to be 65.6 acres with 31% of it being grass, 11% landscaping, and the other 58% being impervious surfaces such as parking, sidewalks, and buildings. About 19,051 kg C/yr is being sequestered by turfgrass and 21,897 kg C/m² is being sequestered by landscaping. Despite landscaping making up a third of the greenspace as compared to turfgrass it is important to recognize it sequestered just as much carbon as grass. With the increasing climate change, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is becoming increasingly important and will be critical for UD to meet its sustainability goals. I recommend UD convert more of its turfgrass to herbaceous plantings to increase carbon sequestration.