Student Research Reports

View Research Report

Carbon sequestration by trees is a key process for mitigating climate change, as forest ecosystems act as temporary reservoirs of atmospheric carbon. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze and compare the variation in carbon stored in the aboveground biomass of trees on a school property between 2024 and 2025, considering the dynamics of the tree system based on the growth of existing trees, the addition of new specimens, and tree loss between the two periods. The study was based on field measurements of the diameter at breast height (DBH) at 1.30 m and the height of the trees present on the school property. A total of 45 trees belonging to native and exotic species were analyzed. From these measurements, individual aboveground biomass and stored carbon were estimated using allometric equations specific to each species group, following the GLOBE Programme protocols. The analysis was based exclusively on an empirical comparison of data obtained in 2024 and 2025, without resorting to projection models. The results show that the carbon stored on the school grounds exhibits significant interannual variations associated with the structure and evolution of the tree population. Native trees, although less numerous, made significant contributions to total carbon when represented by large, mature specimens, such as the native willow. However, the loss of some of these trees between the two years resulted in an immediate decrease in stored carbon. Exotic species, represented by a greater number of trees, contributed steadily to the total carbon of the system, mainly through the growth of young trees and the addition of new individuals to the analysis in 2025. The comparison between 2024 and 2025 allowed for an understanding of carbon sequestration as a dynamic process, resulting from the balance between tree growth, addition, and loss, rather than as a fixed value. Furthermore, the study revealed that carbon storage capacity depends largely on the size and stage of development of the trees, regardless of whether they are native or exotic. Finally, this work highlights the value of continuous monitoring of school trees as a scientific and educational tool, consolidating the school grounds as a living laboratory for the study of the carbon cycle and the training of students in the analysis of real environmental problems.