{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,8]],"date-time":"2026-03-08T11:38:01Z","timestamp":1772969881274,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":45,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1730073600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1730073600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Discov Sustain"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:p>The role of universities in addressing climate change is often discussed, but one crucial aspect tends to be overlooked: their potential contribution to carbon sequestration. Many universities around the world possess significant tracts of land, often featuring substantial forested areas. These landscapes represent an underutilised opportunity for nature-based solutions that facilitate carbon sequestration. This paper discusses the current trends and status of university-owned forests, highlighting some of the largest and most ecologically significant forests managed by academic institutions across different regions worldwide. It explores their capacity for carbon sequestration, their biodiversity value, and the potential they hold for contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts. Furthermore, the article examines how these university forests can serve as dynamic, living laboratories for research, education, and conservation, as well as spaces for community engagement. In addition to their environmental benefits, these green spaces can enhance human health and well-being. Based on this analysis, the paper offers recommendations for universities on how to optimise their forested lands as carbon sinks and enhance their role in advancing sustainable practices, research, and education.<\/jats:p>\n                <jats:p><jats:bold>Graphical abstract<\/jats:bold><\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s43621-024-00590-y","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T18:02:44Z","timestamp":1730138564000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["University forests and carbon sequestration: an untapped potential"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"5","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1241-5225","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Walter","family":"Leal Filho","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9017-4471","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Johannes M.","family":"Luetz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2198-6740","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Maria Alzira Pimenta","family":"Dinis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"590_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"108322","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ecolecon.2024.108322","volume":"225","author":"R Rosa","year":"2024","unstructured":"Rosa R, Simas C, Ata\u00edde R, Soares P, Tom\u00e9 M. Optimal forest management under climate change variability. Ecol Econ. 2024;225:108322. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ecolecon.2024.108322.","journal-title":"Ecol Econ"},{"key":"590_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"119715","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2019.119715","volume":"252","author":"Z Qiu","year":"2020","unstructured":"Qiu Z, Feng Z, Song Y, Li M, Zhang P. Carbon sequestration potential of forest vegetation in China from 2003 to 2050: Predicting forest vegetation growth based on climate and the environment. J Clean Prod. 2020;252:119715. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jclepro.2019.119715.","journal-title":"J Clean Prod"},{"issue":"1","key":"590_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.1111\/brv.12554","volume":"95","author":"X Chen","year":"2020","unstructured":"Chen X, Chen HY, Chen C, Ma Z, Searle EB, Yu Z, Huang Z. Effects of plant diversity on soil carbon in diverse ecosystems: a global meta-analysis. Biol Rev. 2020;95(1):167\u201383. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/brv.12554.","journal-title":"Biol Rev"},{"key":"590_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"119908","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2019.119908","volume":"252","author":"L Huang","year":"2020","unstructured":"Huang L, Zhou M, Lv J, Chen K. Trends in global research in forest carbon sequestration: a bibliometric analysis. J Clean Prod. 2020;252:119908. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jclepro.2019.119908.","journal-title":"J Clean Prod"},{"issue":"1","key":"590_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1111\/napa.12133","volume":"44","author":"J Schelhas","year":"2020","unstructured":"Schelhas J, Hitchner SL. Integrating research and outreach for environmental justice: African American land ownership and forestry. Ann Anthropological Pract. 2020;44(1):47\u201364. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/napa.12133.","journal-title":"Ann Anthropological Pract"},{"key":"590_CR6","unstructured":"Alvidrez KM. Outreach as dialogue: lessons from University Forests [Master, Clemson University]. All Theses. 2022. https:\/\/open.clemson.edu\/all_theses\/3721"},{"key":"590_CR7","unstructured":"Onyili A, Ezenwenyi JU, Nzekwe C, Ezenwankwo S. Potentials of urban trees and their roles in carbon sequestration. In: e-Proceedings Faculty Agriculture international conference; 2023. p 261\u2013264. https:\/\/journals.unizik.edu.ng\/index.php\/faic\/article\/view\/1936"},{"issue":"1","key":"590_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12302-021-00454-6","volume":"33","author":"E Helmers","year":"2021","unstructured":"Helmers E, Chang CC, Dauwels J. Carbon footprinting of universities worldwide: Part I\u2014objective comparison by standardized metrics. Environ Sci Eur. 2021;33(1):1\u201325. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12302-021-00454-6.","journal-title":"Environ Sci Eur"},{"key":"590_CR9","first-page":"1","volume":"24","author":"M Bremer","year":"2020","unstructured":"Bremer M, Frisa E, Maccarone R, Seif D. Campus Forest carbon sequestration: an undergraduate project experience. J Sustain Educ. 2020;24:1\u201315.","journal-title":"J Sustain Educ"},{"key":"590_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20190104","DOI":"10.1098\/rstb.2019.0104","volume":"375","author":"Y Malhi","year":"2020","unstructured":"Malhi Y, Franklin J, Seddon N, Solan M, Turner MG, Field CB, Knowlton N. Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions. Philos Trans Royal Soc B. 2020;375:20190104.","journal-title":"Philos Trans Royal Soc B"},{"issue":"1","key":"590_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"756","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-023-36477-1","volume":"14","author":"S Song","year":"2023","unstructured":"Song S, Ding Y, Li W, Meng Y, Zhou J, Gou R, Zhang C, Ye S, Saintilan N, Krauss KW. Mangrove reforestation provides greater blue carbon benefit than afforestation for mitigating global climate change. Nat Commun. 2023;14(1):756. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-023-36477-1.","journal-title":"Nat Commun"},{"key":"590_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Buxton G, Luetz JM, Shaw S. Towards an embodied pedagogy in educating for creation care. In: Luetz JM, Green B, editors. Innovating Christian education research\u2014multidisciplinary perspectives, Ch. 20. Springer; 2021. p. 349\u2013375. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-981-15-8856-3_20","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-15-8856-3_20"},{"issue":"1","key":"590_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2745.2011.01920.x","volume":"100","author":"DA Coomes","year":"2012","unstructured":"Coomes DA, Holdaway RJ, Kobe RK, Lines ER, Allen RB. general integrative framework for modelling woody biomass production and carbon sequestration rates in forests. J Ecol. 2012;100(1):42\u201364. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1365-2745.2011.01920.x.","journal-title":"J Ecol"},{"issue":"1","key":"590_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1186\/s13021-023-00238-w","volume":"18","author":"S Jin","year":"2023","unstructured":"Jin S, Zhang E, Guo H, Hu C, Zhang Y, Yan D. Comprehensive evaluation of carbon sequestration potential of landscape tree species and its influencing factors analysis: implications for urban green space management. Carbon Balance Manage. 2023;18(1):17\u201317. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13021-023-00238-w.","journal-title":"Carbon Balance Manage"},{"key":"590_CR15","unstructured":"Harvard University. Harvard Forest. n.d. https:\/\/harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu\/. Last accessed 21.01.2024."},{"key":"590_CR16","unstructured":"Yale University. Yale Forests. n.d. https:\/\/forests.yale.edu\/about\/facilities. Last accessed 21.06.2023."},{"key":"590_CR17","unstructured":"University of British Columbia. Research. n.d. https:\/\/www.mkrf.forestry.ubc.ca\/research\/. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR18","unstructured":"University of Oxford. Wytham Woods. n.d. https:\/\/www.wythamwoods.ox.ac.uk\/home. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR19","unstructured":"Wageningen University. Making the Wageningen UR campus more beautiful. A modular plan for increasing natural diversity. 2023. https:\/\/www.greenofficewageningen.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ACT_making-WUR-more-beautiful.pdf. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR20","unstructured":"University of Freiburg. Mathislewald. n.d. https:\/\/www.waldbau.uni-freiburg.de\/sonstiges\/mathislewald. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR21","unstructured":"University of Freiburg. Das Lehrrevier. 2023. https:\/\/www.wildlife.uni-freiburg.de\/de\/jagd\/lehrrevier. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR22","unstructured":"Kyoto University. Ashiu Forest Research Station. n.d. https:\/\/www.kyoto-u.ac.jp\/cutting-edge\/environment\/page12.html. Last accessed 21.6.2023."},{"key":"590_CR23","unstructured":"National University of Singapore. Kent Ridge Walk. n.d. https:\/\/www.dbs.nus.edu.sg\/outreach\/workshops-and-field-trips\/kent-ridge-walk\/. Last accessed 21.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR24","unstructured":"University of Melbourne. Dookie Campus. n.d. https:\/\/science.unimelb.edu.au\/about\/our-locations\/dookie. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR25","unstructured":"University of S\u00e3o Paulo. Within USP\u2019s area, the greenery of the Atlantic Forest. 2021. https:\/\/internationaloffice.usp.br\/en\/index.php\/destaques\/atlantic-forest\/. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR26","unstructured":"Universidad Austral de Chile. Research at the Universidad Austral de Chile. n.d. https:\/\/international.uach.cl\/research-profile\/. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR27","unstructured":"Universidad Austral de Chile. Forestry Sciences and Natural Resources Faculty. 2023. https:\/\/www.forestal.uach.cl\/english.php. Last accessed 22.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR28","unstructured":"Long G, L\u00f3pez M. Workshop contributions: IKIAM Amazon University Workshop Memoirs (3\u20137 Dec. 2013; Vols. 1\u20135). Ministry of Knowledge and Human Talent, Quito\/Ecuador; 2013."},{"key":"590_CR29","unstructured":"Universidad Regional Amaz\u00f3nica Ikiam. 1er Congreso Internacional de Biotecnolog\u00eda y Ecosistemas Neotropicales (CIBEN 2021). 2021. https:\/\/www.ikiam.edu.ec\/ciben\/?id=es"},{"key":"590_CR30","unstructured":"Hainich National Park. Primeval woodland in the heart of Germany. n.d. https:\/\/www.nationalpark-hainich.de\/en\/national-park\/hainich-national-park.html. Last accessed 05.10.2024."},{"key":"590_CR31","unstructured":"\u0160umava National Park. Welcome to the \u0160umava National Park. n.d. https:\/\/www.npsumava.cz\/en\/. Last accessed 05.10.2024."},{"key":"590_CR32","unstructured":"Cairngorms National Park. Plan ahead to get the most out of your visit. n.d. https:\/\/cairngorms.co.uk\/. Last accessed 05.10.2024."},{"key":"590_CR33","unstructured":"Montes de Valsa\u00edn. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. n.d. https:\/\/www.ucm.es\/. Last accessed 21.1.2024."},{"key":"590_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100280","DOI":"10.1016\/j.coesh.2021.100280","volume":"23","author":"RJ Keenan","year":"2021","unstructured":"Keenan RJ, Weston CJ, Volkova L. Potential for forest thinning to reduce risk and increase resilience to wildfire in Australian temperate Eucalyptus forests. Curr Opin Environ Sci Health. 2021;23:100280. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.coesh.2021.100280.","journal-title":"Curr Opin Environ Sci Health"},{"key":"590_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"O\u2019Brien L, Schuck A, Fraccaroli C, P\u00f6tzelsberger E, Winkel G, Lindner M. Protecting old-growth forests in Europe, A review of scientific evidence to inform policy implementation. 2021. https:\/\/efi.int\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/resilience\/OLD-GROWTH%20FORESTS_28.06.21.pdf","DOI":"10.36333\/rs1"},{"issue":"2","key":"590_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"149","DOI":"10.1108\/sampj-11-2013-0048","volume":"5","author":"C De Villiers","year":"2014","unstructured":"De Villiers C, Chen S, Jin C, Zhu Y. Carbon sequestered in the trees on a university campus: a case study. Sustain Account Manag Policy J. 2014;5(2):149\u201371. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/sampj-11-2013-0048.","journal-title":"Sustain Account Manag Policy J"},{"key":"590_CR37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Rinaudo T, McKenzie S, Huynh TB, Sterrett CL. Farmer managed natural regeneration: community driven, low cost and scalable reforestation approach for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In: Luetz JM, Ayal D, editors. Handbook of climate change management. Springer; 2021. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-030-57281-5_281","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-030-57281-5_281"},{"issue":"1","key":"590_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1108\/ijshe-05-2016-0089","volume":"19","author":"E Udas","year":"2018","unstructured":"Udas E, W\u00f6lk M, Wilmking M. The \u201ccarbon-neutral university\u201d\u2014a study from Germany. Int J Sustain High Educ. 2018;19(1):130\u201345. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/ijshe-05-2016-0089.","journal-title":"Int J Sustain High Educ"},{"key":"590_CR39","unstructured":"Rinaudo T. The forest underground: hope for a planet in crisis. ISCAST; 2021."},{"issue":"7","key":"590_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1328","DOI":"10.1111\/gcb.15498","volume":"27","author":"A Di Sacco","year":"2021","unstructured":"Di Sacco A, Hardwick KA, Blakesley D, Brancalion PHS, Breman E, Cecilio Rebola L, Chomba S, Dixon K, Elliott S, Ruyonga G, Shaw K, Smith P, Smith RJ, Antonelli A. Ten golden rules for reforestation to optimize carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery and livelihood benefits. Glob Change Biol. 2021;27(7):1328\u201348. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/gcb.15498.","journal-title":"Glob Change Biol"},{"issue":"6","key":"590_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1572","DOI":"10.1111\/1365-2664.14167","volume":"59","author":"PA L\u00f3pez-Bedoya","year":"2022","unstructured":"L\u00f3pez-Bedoya PA, Bohada-Murillo M, \u00c1ngel-Vallejo MC, Audino LD, Davis ALV, Gurr G, Noriega JA. Primary forest loss and degradation reduces biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: a global meta-analysis using dung beetles as an indicator taxon. J Appl Ecol. 2022;59(6):1572\u201385. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/1365-2664.14167.","journal-title":"J Appl Ecol"},{"issue":"6","key":"590_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3385","DOI":"10.24294\/jipd.v8i6.3385","volume":"8","author":"S Anantsuksomsri","year":"2024","unstructured":"Anantsuksomsri S, Positlimpakul K, Chatakul P, Janpathompong D, Chen G, Tontisirin N. Carbon sequestration analysis of the university campuses in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. J Infrastruct Policy Dev. 2024;8(6):3385. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.24294\/jipd.v8i6.3385.","journal-title":"J Infrastruct Policy Dev"},{"key":"590_CR43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Baumber A, Luetz JM, Metternicht G. Carbon neutral education: reducing carbon footprint and expanding carbon brainprint. In Leal Filho W, Marisa Azul A, Brandli L, G\u00f6kcin \u00d6zuyar P, Wall T, editors. Quality education\u2014encyclopedia of the UN sustainable development goals. Springer; 2020. p. 55\u201367. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-319-95870-5_13","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-95870-5_13"},{"issue":"5","key":"590_CR44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2457","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18052457","volume":"18","author":"JG Kim","year":"2021","unstructured":"Kim JG, Jeon J, Shin WS. The Influence of forest activities in a university campus forest on student\u2019s psychological effects. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(5):2457. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph18052457.","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"590_CR45","volume-title":"Stolen forests","author":"P Gain","year":"2006","unstructured":"Gain P. Stolen forests. Bangladesh: Society for Environment and Human Development; 2006."}],"container-title":["Discover Sustainability"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s43621-024-00590-y.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s43621-024-00590-y\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s43621-024-00590-y.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]],"date-time":"2024-10-28T18:08:29Z","timestamp":1730138909000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s43621-024-00590-y"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]]},"references-count":45,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12]]}},"alternative-id":["590"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s43621-024-00590-y","relation":{},"ISSN":["2662-9984"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2662-9984","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,28]]},"assertion":[{"value":"26 August 2024","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"17 October 2024","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"28 October 2024","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"362"}}