Green in the City: Estimating the Ecosystem Services Provided by Urban and Peri-Urban Forests of Tbilisi Municipality, Georgia

Green spaces play a significant role in providing essential natural services to cities. This study aims estimate Tbilisi’s green cover and identify the surface classes, volumes, values of ecosystem services. The area embraces territory Tbilisi municipality its legal/administrative boundaries, which is equal 502 sq. km. We use i-Tree Canopy program (v.7.1) classes quantify price provided by urban peri-urban forests. analysis includes identification distribution Tbilisi, presented as follows: grass/herbaceous (38.71% +/− 1.36%), various impervious surfaces (approx. 21.18%), soil/bare ground (8.61% 0.78%), trees/shrubs (28.55% 1.26%), water (2.95% 0.47) surfaces. Analysis revealed volumes removal atmospheric pollutants, annual carbon, total carbon stock fixed trees shrub vegetation monetary values, expressed US Dollars rounded per km, stored sequestered pollution on studies territory. results showed that air pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, SO2, PM2.5 PM10) totals 1227 tons or 2.444 t/sq.km. average sequestration other 43.72 thousand (87.09 t/sq.km), with an approximate value 8.22 million USD. are storing 1097.9 kilotons (2187.95 t/sq.km) CO2 equivalent 4025 kilotons. estimated this service equals 206.4 type covers has been performed for first time. magnitude great potential “green benefits” city. It gives additional arguments better utilization knowledge advanced planning infrastructure strengthening sustainable resilient development.