Bunia urban trees store carbon, study findsCEFR B2
5 Apr 2026
Adapted from Laura, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Rengan Visweswaran, Unsplash
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.
Difficult words
- inventory — to list and record items or datainventoried
- non-destructive — not causing damage or removal
- aboveground biomass — mass of living plant material above soil
- sequester — to store carbon and keep it safesequestered
- carbon stock — amount of carbon stored in ecosystem
- hectare — unit of area equal to ten thousand square metresone-hectare, urban hectare
- carbon credit — certificate representing one unit of emissions reductioncarbon credits
- degraded — reduced quality or condition, often ecological
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think treating urban trees as climate assets could change city planning in the DR Congo? Why or why not?
- Based on the study, which tree species should cities prioritise and why? Give reasons linked to carbon storage.
- What challenges might cities face if they try to use voluntary carbon markets to fund urban green-space management?
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