New Math Model Lets Cities Predict Tree Growth and Carbon Capture
Researchers have created a computational tool that accurately forecasts how trees and hedges will grow over time—and how much carbon they'll absorb. The model, tested on European forestry data, could help urban planners and developers make smarter decisions about green infrastructure investments and meet climate targets more reliably.
Originaltitel: Growth projections for trees, hedges, and tree groups
This report develops mathematical models to describe tree growth using Mapscape and Swiss forestry data. We first establish allometric relations between diameter, height, and canopy area, then extend them through time with the von~Bertalanffy--Chapman--Richards equation. To capture spatial effects, we introduce canopy-density PDEs and a mechanistic geometric model. Finally, we present approaches to estimate biomass and CO$_2$ sequestration, with applications to urban planning and forestry management.