Impact of urbanization on urban ecosystem services dynamic, structural attributes, carbon storage and sequestration in two Nigeria cities

Abstract

Urbanization can have positive or negative effect on diversity conservation and carbon sequestration. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of urbanization on urban ecosystem services dynamic, structural attributes, carbon storage and sequestration Osogbo and Akure cities, using Simple Random Sampling. Biomass values, above-ground biomass (AGB) and below-ground biomass (BGB) was used to quantify carbon stock to estimate the amount of carbon sequestrated by the urban forests in the two cities. The results revealed a total of 455 individual trees distributed among 37 species and 19 families in Osogbo, while 985 individual trees distributed among 41 species and 21 families in Akure urban forest respectively. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (2.65 and 3.42) was higher in Akure and lower in Osogbo, with higher species recorded for Akure, this is an indication of a more pronounce greenness coverage for Akure metropolis than Osogbo metropolis. The total carbon stored by the urban forests of Osogbo and Akure were estimated at 405.73 and 1049.70 tons, respectively. Tree species diversity had greater influence in determining biomass accumulation, carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Selecting and planting the right species as avenue trees, building parks and gardens, urban landscaping could improve urban forest carbon sequestration and providing other essential urban forest ecosystem services.