Analysis of carbon absorption amount of urban forests by spatial interpolation methods

Abstract

As a result of increasing urbanization as of the 20th century, people's need for green space is increasing. It can be said that the concept of Urban Forest has emerged as a natural result of increasing urbanization both in the world and in our country. In a study conducted by the World Health Organization, it is emphasized that at least 9m2 green area per person is necessary for a healthy society. In this context, the concept of urban forests, which provides the opportunity to offer the social functions of forests to people, gains importance day by day. The Urban Forests project started to be implemented in our country in 2003. With this project, a total of 64 urban forests have been established in 55 provinces and 9 districts until the end of 2008. The oxygen produced, the carbon dioxide consumed and the carbon absorption of 64 urban forests that constitute the analysis area of this study were calculated. As a result of interpolation studies carried out in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), maps showing the contribution of urban forests to the environment were created and all these factors were analyzed on a spatial basis.