Abstract
This study quantified annual $CO_2$, SO$_2$ and NO$_2$ uptake and annual $O_2$ production by trees in Yongin´s urban ecosystem, and explored values of urban tree plantings in atmospheric purification. Woody plant cover was only 7.7% with planting density of 1. trees/100$m^2$, and the tree-age structure was largely characterized by a young, growing tree population. Annual per capita pollutant emissions from fossil fuel consumption were 7.3t/yr for $CO_2$, 7.6kg/yr for SO$_2$, and 26.6kg/yr for NO$_{x}$. Carbon dioxide storage per unit urban area by trees was 13.1t/ha and the economic value for $CO_2$ storage was ￦6.6millions/ha. Annual atmospheric purification was 2.0t/ha/yr for $CO_2$ uptake, 2.0kg/ha/yr for SO$_2$ uptake, 4.0kg/ha/yr for NO$_2$ uptake and 1.5t/ha/yr for $O_2$ production, and the annual economic value for the atmospheric purification was ￦1.5millions/ha/yr. Urbantrees stored an amount of $CO_2$ equivalent to about 3.1% of the total annual $CO_2$ emissions, and annually offset total $CO_2$ emissions by 0.5%. Annual SO$_2$ and NO$_2$ uptake by trees equaled 0.5% of total SO$_2$ emissions and 0.3% of total NO$_{x}$ emissions, respectively. Urban trees also played an important role through producing annually 9.2 of the $O_2$ requirement for Yongin´s total population, despite relatively poor tree plantings. Future active plantings and greenspace enlargement in the study city could enhance the role of atmospheric purification by urban trees. The results from this study are expected to be useful in emphasizing environment benefits of urban trees, and in urging the continuous necessity for tree planting and management budget.get.
