With the GreenSpaces platform, it is possible to estimate the ecosystem services provided by a specific plant species, such as a Populus nigra with a 40 cm trunk diameter, in a specific urban location. These estimates are based on biometric and ecophysiological data from the Life Urbangreen and VerdeVale projects, combined with local meteorological data. This integration enables accurate modelling of benefits like CO₂ assimilation, microclimate regulation, and air particulate matter removal.

Biometric measurements—such as trunk diameter, height, and canopy size—are the foundation of the platform’s ecosystem services module. In Life Urbangreen, over 1,700 mature trees were monitored in Rimini (Italy) and Krakow (Poland). Researchers measured stem diameter at breast height (DBH), plant height, and canopy radius and Leaf Area Index (LAI) to estimate the total leaf area. In VerdeVale, similar data were gathered from around 300 shrubs in Lugano (Switzerland) and Bolzano (Italy).

The collected data supported the development of species-specific growth equations, allowing GreenSpaces to predict how environmental benefits evolve over time.

To discover more about the science behind GreenSpaces, follow us in the next Green Pill!