“Landscapes for Climate Mitigation in Ithaca and Beyond”
Department of Landscape Architecture, Cornell University
Regional Research and Workshop Series (January 2022 to May 2022)
GIS based spatial modeling of carbon sequestration and regional biomass
Advised by Jamie Vanucchi
This research evaluates the regional landscape as a functional carbon sink by examining the sequestration and storage capacity of public and private lands in Ithaca. Utilizing GIS based spatial modeling, I analyzed forest composition and land cover data to establish a comprehensive baseline for biomass storage across various ecosystem types. The project investigates how physical infrastructures such as trail corridors and floodplains can be managed as active metabolic agents for carbon extraction. By integrating empirical data with landscape planning, this study proposes a quantitative framework for climate governance that prioritizes the metabolic health of the built environment.
