Bunia urban trees store carbon, study finds ^{CEFR B2}

An article published on March 8, 2026 reported a study conducted in October 2025 that measured how much carbon urban trees store in Bunia, Ituri Province. Researchers from the University of Bunia inventoried 2,311 trees across 21 one-hectare plots in three communes (Mbunya, Nyakasanza and Shari). The team applied non-destructive methods using tree diameter, height and wood density to estimate aboveground biomass and carbon stock without cutting trees.

The study found 1,759 tons of aboveground biomass and estimated 8,795 tons of carbon sequestered, equivalent to 2,374 tons of CO2 removed from the atmosphere. Average storage per tree was about 380 kilograms of carbon (about 124 kg CO2), and an average urban hectare held 47.6 tons of carbon, a level comparable to some degraded forest areas.

Not all species contributed equally. The five top species by share of stored carbon were: Eucalyptus globulus (61%), Mangifera indica (mango, 14%), Persea americana (avocado, 9%), Grevillea robusta (7%) and Senna siamea (5%). The researchers estimated a voluntary carbon-market value of roughly USD 14 per tree and argued that DR Congo cities could treat trees as climate assets, pilot urban carbon credits, prioritize high-carbon species, avoid low-impact ornamental plantings, and seek adaptation and mitigation funding to improve urban green-space management.