University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Poster Gallery
Preview
Creation Date
2024
Major
Environmental and Applied Geology
Department
Geosciences
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Kelly Watson
Mentor Department
Geosciences
Abstract
Trees on campus provide important urban canopy cover and numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits. In 2020, spatial and attribute data were collected for 3,024 trees on EKU’s Richmond campus. The objectives of this project are 1) to assess the amount of carbon captured and stored by campus trees, also called carbon sequestration, which in turn improves the air quality of our community and helps mitigate the effects of climate change; 2) Address campus tree health by identifying trees vulnerable to loss due to insect pests (e.g., emerald ash borer, oak wilt); 3) Create a visual of campus tree cover based on tree species, tree health, and canopy cover. The results of this project can be used to locate sites where new trees may be planted in the future, locate areas of risk for the spread of tree diseases, and understand how much carbon our trees capture and remove from the atmosphere.