Mapping an urban ecosystem service: quantifying above-ground carbon storage at a city-wide scale

This research paper examines the quantification and mapping of above-ground biological carbon storage in Leicester, UK, to support climate change mitigation policies and the establishment of realistic carbon emission targets for local authorities.

• The study estimates that above-ground vegetation in Leicester stores 231,521 tonnes of carbon, which averages to 3.16 kg C per m2 of urban area. The vast majority of this carbon pool, 97.3%, is stored in trees as opposed to woody and herbaceous vegetation.
• Comparing the study's findings with existing national ecosystem service estimates reveals that Leicester's contribution to carbon storage is undervalued by an order of magnitude.
• The research highlights a need for reliable city-wide data to support the UK government's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050, as local authorities are central to these national efforts.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2011). Mapping an urban ecosystem service: quantifying above-ground carbon storage at a city-wide scale. https://www.sei.org/publications/mapping-an-urban-ecosystem-service-quantifying-above-ground-carbon-storage-at-a-city-wide-scale/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Mapping an urban ecosystem service: quantifying above-ground carbon storage at a city-wide scale. 2011. https://www.sei.org/publications/mapping-an-urban-ecosystem-service-quantifying-above-ground-carbon-storage-at-a-city-wide-scale/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Mapping an urban ecosystem service: quantifying above-ground carbon storage at a city-wide scale |date=5 August 2011 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/mapping-an-urban-ecosystem-service-quantifying-above-ground-carbon-storage-at-a-city-wide-scale/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2011mapping, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Mapping an urban ecosystem service: quantifying above-ground carbon storage at a city-wide scale}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2011}, month = aug, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/mapping-an-urban-ecosystem-service-quantifying-above-ground-carbon-storage-at-a-city-wide-scale/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }