Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


NKOPIO FINAL 4 29 2022 with cert.pdf (2.72 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Assessment of Forest Cover Change on Carbon Capture in the Youngstown Metropolitan Area

Nkopio, Jeniffer Simpano
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2727-2095
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1651512492925438

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Science in Environmental Science, Youngstown State University, Department of Physics, Astronomy, Geology and Environmental Sciences.
Anthropogenic increases in greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, have been associated with rising global temperatures. These changes have led to desertification, heat waves, ecosystem disruption, intensification of severe weather, and loss of agricultural productivity. To mitigate against these adverse effects, carbon sequestration approaches such as afforestation and reforestation are being explored in landscapes, including urban ecosystems. The amount of forest cover and carbon storage was evaluated for the Youngstown Metropolitan Area (YMA), located in northeast Ohio. Four urbanized sub-watersheds of the Mahoning River within the YMA were chosen. The amount of forest cover for each sub-watershed for the years 2001 and 2019 was determined using ArcGIS Pro and a 50- year land cover projection was generated using the TerrSet software. Results indicate that YMA lost approximately 40ha (5,330ha to 5,290ha) of forest cover between 2001 and 2019, while developed areas gained 200ha (from 18,400ha to 18,600ha) between the same period. While the Dry Run Creek is the only sub-watershed in the study area with an increased forest area (from 1,420ha in 2001 to 1,460ha in 2019), the Crab Creek sub watershed registered the highest decrease (from 1,760ha to 1,720ha) during the same period. Currently, the area under forest cover in the Crab Creek sub-watershed is the largest (1,720ha or 17.2km2 ), storing approximately 60,700t of carbon. On the other hand, the Andersons Run-Mill Creek sub-watershed has the lowest forest area 524ha (5.24km2 ), sequestering up to 18,500t of carbon. By 2069, the area under forest cover in Crab Creek is predicted to decrease by 70ha (from 1,720ha in 2019 to 1,650ha in 2069), while iv developed land area would increase by 90ha (from 3,350ha in 2019 to 3,440ha in 2069). Although 90.3% of Andersons Run-Mill Creek sub-watershed is expected to be developed by 2069, forest cover is predicted to occupy 6.9% of its landscape. This study showed that urbanization in the YMA will continue to increase and the amount of forest cover, despite their significant roles in carbon sequestration, will decrease. Several areas within the YMA that are currently under forest cover will be replaced by developed land uses. There is, therefore, a need to increase the amount of forest cover in the region through reforestation in order to mitigate against adverse effects of climate change.
Peter Kimosop, PhD (Advisor)
Felicia Armstrong, PhD (Committee Member)
Colleen McLean, PhD (Committee Member)
Lauren Schroeder, PhD (Committee Member)
61 p.
Environmental Studies; Forestry; Gases; Geographic Information Science
Forest cover change; Carbon capture; Climate change; Youngstown Ohio Sub-watersheds

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Nkopio, J. S. (2022). Assessment of Forest Cover Change on Carbon Capture in the Youngstown Metropolitan Area [Master's thesis, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1651512492925438

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Nkopio, Jeniffer. Assessment of Forest Cover Change on Carbon Capture in the Youngstown Metropolitan Area. 2022. Youngstown State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1651512492925438.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Nkopio, Jeniffer. "Assessment of Forest Cover Change on Carbon Capture in the Youngstown Metropolitan Area." Master's thesis, Youngstown State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1651512492925438

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu1651512492925438
169
© 2022, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.