Student Research Reports

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Human-induced disruptions to the global carbon cycle remain the primary driver of accelerating climate change. While carbon emissions are often discussed at national or industrial scales, the capacity of small-scale residential ecosystems to store carbon – particularly below ground – remains underexplored. This three-year study completes a household-scale carbon budget by integrating aboveground vegetation carbon storage, net primary productivity (NPP), belowground soil carbon storage, and personal greenhouse gas emissions within a residential study site. Aboveground carbon storage was quantified using the GLOBE Non-standard Site Carbon Cycle Protocol through measurements of tree circumference at breast height, shrub canopy dimensions, and herbaceous biomass. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) was determined by tracking changes in vegetation carbon storage over time. Belowground carbon storage was assessed using Pedosphere Protocols, incorporating soil characterization, bulk density measurements, and soil organic carbon analysis via the Walkley-Black method across multiple soil depths. Household carbon footprint data were calculated following the ISO 14064-1:2006 standard, categorizing emissions into direct, energy-indirect, and other indirect sources. Results indicate that large trees dominate aboveground carbon storage, while soil organic carbon contributes approximately 20-48% of total ecosystem carbon storage when measured comprehensively to depth. Despite measurable increases in vegetation biomass and an increase in NPP of 240 gC/m² over the study period, household greenhouse gas emissions consistently exceeded the ecosystem’s total carbon storage capacity. These findings demonstrate that while residential ecosystems play a meaningful role in carbon sequestration, nature-based storage alone is insufficient to offset household emissions, underscoring the necessity of integrating behavioral emission reductions with ecosystem-based climate solutions.