1. Cost–Benefit Assessment for Maintenance of Urban Green Infrastructure at the University Campus in Moscow : Application of GreenSpaces and TreeTalker Technologies to Regulating Ecosystem Services
- Author
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Matasov, V., Grigoreva, V., Makhinya, K., Kozyreva, M., Romzaikina, O., Maximova, O., Pakina, A., Filyushkina, A., Vasenev, V., Matasov, V., Grigoreva, V., Makhinya, K., Kozyreva, M., Romzaikina, O., Maximova, O., Pakina, A., Filyushkina, A., and Vasenev, V.
- Abstract
Trees are a key element of urban green infrastructure (UGI). They supply a wide range of benefits—ecosystem services—from air purification to places for recreation. UGI is also an expenditure item in the budget due to the investments required for its establishment and maintenance. Accounting for ecosystem services in monetary terms allows considering direct and indirect benefits of green spaces together with costs, has not only implications for decision-making but also could be instrumental in changing landowners’ perceptions of UGI and its importance. In this paper, we used the data from advanced tree monitoring technologies to compare monetary values of regulating ecosystem services to maintenance costs for the case of campus of the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) in Moscow, Russia. Inventories of UGI elements were conducted by means of a field survey and remote sensing, that resulted in GIS project in GreenSpaces software. The same program was used to keep track of costs of the different types of maintenance work based on information from Greening Department of RUDN. Biophysical parameters of tree functioning were obtained from more than 60 TreeTalker sensors installed on the major species during the two years. The monetary value of four major regulating ecosystem services (air purification, climate regulation, water transpiration, carbon sequestration) of the trees was then assessed, allowing a comparison of the costs for maintenance and some of the benefits derived. The results show that even when considering just monetary value from regulating services, it outweighs the costs for maintenance of the UGI in the amount of 1.5 million rubles or about a quarter of the costs.
- Published
- 2023