Religious landscapes offer underexplored value for carbon
sequestration and biodiversity
conservation. This study uses remote sensing and spatial analysis to assess the
Fo Guang Shan
Buddha Museum’s carbon storage and ecological resilience in Taiwan. From 2016
to 2022, carbon storage rose by 17.8%, with tree canopy accounting for over
1300 tons. Although sequestration rates have recently declined, habitat
connectivity remains high, and biodiversity indices show increasing species
richness and evenness. Economic valuation estimates the site’s carbon storage
atUSD16–19 million, aligned with Taiwan’s 2024 Carbon Fee Policy. Landscape
metrics indicate that temple managed green spaces reduce fragmentation more
effectively than passive conservation. These findings support the inclusion of
sacred landscapes in carbon offset and nature-based climate programs. The study
highlights the policy relevance of religious sites as multifunctional heritage spaces
that advance ecological sustainability and national climate goals.




