Biodiversity effects in carbon sequestration from human activities

Abstract

Introduction: Emissions of carbon dioxide from cities have increased significantly in
the last few decades with rapid urbanization. It is an important scientific question to
what extent carbon dioxide emissions from urban activities can be offset by maintaining
or increasing carbon sequestration in and around urban areas. Although natural
terrestrial ecosystems absorb some of the emitted carbon dioxide, the long-term
sustainability of these ecosystems is affected by their biodiversity status.
Materials & Methods: In this study, using the data obtained from field surveys, field
and laboratory measurements, the carbon sequestration capacity of vegetation on the
northwestern outskirts of Tehran was estimated. Identification of biomass relationships
with diversity, richness and uniformity indices was also assessed by Pearson correlation
test.
Results: The results showed that the diversity index of Simpson and Shannon Wiener
was normal and their distribution was symmetric. In the study of Ghana indices, both
Margalf and Mannich indices had a normal distribution. The Hill uniformity index
distribution was not normal but the Pete uniformity index had a normal distribution.
Investigation of the relationship between vegetation topsoil and study indices showed
that between Simpson diversity index (P<0.039, n=37 and r=66.91%), Shannon-Wiener
diversity (P<0.033, n=38, and r=53.58%), Ghana Margalf (P<0.033, n=38, r=21.52%),
Ghana Manichae (P<0.035, n=38, r =19.71%), Peat uniformity (P<0.010, n=38,
r=17.36%) There is a significant and positive relationship with terrestrial biomass.
Conclusion: The conditions and structure of vegetation on the outskirts of cities can
indicate the status of carbon sequestration in the region and the amount of carbon
sequestration of such ecosystems is directly affected by the indicators of diversity,
richness and uniformity of vegetation.