Student Research Reports
Green Secrets Unveiled: Probing Carbon Storage and Assessing Footprint in Living Spaces
Organization(s):Shrewsbury International School Riverside Campus
Country:Thailand
Student(s):Arin Thongtang
Arisa Thongtang
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Chomchanok Sutthapas
Contributors:Dr. Kongkiat Suriye
Mrs. Petcharat Thongtang
Ms. Lalita Chaipetch
Mr. Wutthichai Jansak
Mrs. Mi Su Su Mon
Mr. Min Tay Zaw.
Ms. Kananoot Lekvijit
Mr. Atikhun Thongtang
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Carbon Cycle
Presentation Poster:
View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:02/14/2024
The objective of this research is to assess and compare the aboveground carbon storage of plant species in the research area, utilizing the Non-Standard Site Carbon Cycle Protocol for measuring carbon dynamics. The measurements include 1) the circumference at breast height (CBH) for tree trunks and 2) the height of shrubs/saplings as independent variables in allometric equations, calculating biomass to determine aboveground carbon storage, and 3) weighing herbaceous components. The results are then compared with the carbon footprint data using the international standard ISO 14064-1:2006 Greenhouse gases – Part 1: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals. We believe that large tree species should store the most carbon, followed by shrubs/saplings, and the group of herbaceous. We propose that a) there is a positive relationship between the age of trees, their height, and diameter at breast height (DBH), and b) there is a positive correlation between a tree’s carbon storage capability and its biomass. We hypothesize that our carbon footprint will significantly exceed the vegetation’s capacity to store carbon, and electricity is the main carbon footprint culprit. The research revealed that plant density affects aboveground carbon storage capability, and we generated a carbon footprint of 30,802 kilograms of CO2e, 1.96 times exceeding aboveground carbon storage in the research area. The findings highlight the need for measures to reduce the carbon footprint, mitigate the impact, and work towards the goal of a low-carbon society.