Carbon sequestration of four urban parks in Rome

• CO2 sequestration was correlated with leaf area index (LAI).
• Woods and tree lined avenues showed the highest CO2 sequestration.
• The CO2 sequestration economic value for the four parks was $ 23,537/ha.

Urban parks form the largest proportion of public green spaces contributing to both physical and mental well-being of people living in urban areas. CO2 sequestration capability of the vegetation developing in parks of four historical residences (Villa Pamphjli, Villa Ada Savoia, Villa Borghese and Villa Torlonia) in Rome and its economic value were analyzed. Villa Pamphjli and Villa Ada Savoia having a larger vegetation extension (165.04 ha and 134.33 ha, respectively), also had a larger total yearly CO2 sequestration per hectare (CS) (780 MgCO2 ha−1 year−1 and 998 MgCO2 ha−1 year−1, respectively) than Villa Borghese (664 MgCO2 ha−1 year−1) and Villa Torlonia (755 MgCO2 ha−1 year−1), which had a lower vegetation extension (56.72 ha and 9.70 ha, respectively). CS was significantly correlated with leaf area index (LAI). The calculated CS for the four parks (3197 MgCO2 ha−1 year−1), corresponding to 3.6% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of Rome for 2010, resulted in an annual economic value of $ 23537 /ha.