Report: Trees' Role in Reducing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels

This report investigates the multifaceted impacts of trees on atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. It explores both the direct and indirect effects, referencing Akbari (2008) to highlight photosynthesis's role in CO2 absorption and the cooling effect trees provide, especially in urban areas, which reduces the need for energy-intensive air conditioning and thus lowers CO2 emissions. However, the report also acknowledges the "green roof effect," where dense tree canopies can trap polluted air, potentially worsening air quality, as discussed in Zheming et al. (2015). The conclusion emphasizes the need for structured and planned tree planting to maximize the benefits of trees in managing CO2 levels, balancing the positive impacts with potential negative consequences on air quality. The report utilizes scholarly sources, including Akbari (2008) and Zheming et al. (2015), to support its arguments.

IMPACTS OF TREES ON REDUCTION OF HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN
THE ATMOSPHERE
Trees, and by extension vegetation play a significant role in the ecological cycle on earth.
They are vital in maintaining the balance between the different components that make up the
ecological cycle in the planet. The trees are more important (compared to other vegetation types)
when discussing the ecological cycles due to their size and hence impact on maintain balance in
the cycle.
Akbari (2008) states planting of trees as one of the Heat Island Mitigation technologies.
Noting that trees play a significant role in both reduction of energy consumption and improving
the quality of air. According to Akbari (2008), planting of trees has two main impacts on the
levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; direct and indirect impacts.
In the direct impact, trees require carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis to
produce carbohydrates. This implies that the trees that will be planted will absorb the carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and subsequently assist in managing the
levels of carbon dioxide in the air.
In the indirect impact, trees provide shade and hence a cooling effect. This is especially
for urban areas where the lack of vegetation and in overall global warming, results in high
temperatures (Akbari, 2008). In order to cool the temperatures, air conditioning is required.
The energy supplied to power air conditioners is supplied from power plants that emit
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Planting trees in urban area can therefore provide the
cooling effect and reduce the necessity of air conditioning. From Akbari (2008), this would
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reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from the power plants and hence as well assist in managing
the levels of carbon dioxide in the air.
IMPACTS OF TREES IN INCREASING THE LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE
ATMOSPHERE
Although the role of trees, and vegetation in general, in managing carbon dioxide levels
is evident, the extent of their efficiency is a subject of interest. Since trees absorb carbon dioxide
during photosynthesis, the role of trees in air pollution mitigation can only be limited to carbon
dioxide as the pollutant (Zheming, Whitlow, Macrae, Landers, & Yoshiki, 2015). Other air
pollutants such as sulfur dioxide are however not considered in this case.
Planting trees in large numbers and especially in close proximity leads to a “green” roof
effect (Zheming, Whitlow, Macrae, Landers, & Yoshiki, 2015). In this effect, the canopy of the
trees as well as the trees create an enclosing effect that prevents the free flow of air. The
disruption of air movement by the “green” roof effect in urban areas may trap polluted air within
an area thereby worsening the air quality instead of improving it (Zheming, Whitlow, Macrae,
Landers, & Yoshiki, 2015).
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CONCLUSION
Trees play a crucial role (both directly and indirectly) in managing the levels of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere as stated in Akbari (2008), where the properties of carbon dioxide
absorption and cooling effect combine to manage the levels. The trees, however also have a
“green” roof effect that traps polluted air within an area and hence works to worsen the air
quality. In order have maximum benefits of trees in carbon dioxide levels managing, tree
planting should be well structure and planned way.
REFERENCES
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Akbari, H. (2008). Saving Energy and Improving Air Quality in Urban Heat Islands. AIP
Conference Proceedings (pp. 192-208). Berkeley, CA: AIP.
Zheming, T., Whitlow, T. H., Macrae, P. F., Landers, A. J., & Yoshiki, H. (2015). Quantifying
the effect of vegetation on near-road air quality using. Environmental Pollution, 141-149.
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