Terrestrial carbon stocks across a gradient of urbanization: a study of the Seattle, WA region

摘要: Most of our global population and its CO2 emissions can be attributed to urban areas. The process urbanization changes terrestrial carbon stocks fluxes, which, in turn, impact ecosystem functions atmospheric concentrations. Using the Seattle, WA, region as a case study, this paper explores relationships between aboveground land cover within an urbanizing area. major objectives were estimate live dead across multiple classes quantify vegetation gradient urbanization. We established 154 sample plots Seattle assess function distance from core [urban (heavy, medium, low), mixed forest, conifer forest covers]. mean (and 95% CI) biomass for was 89 � 22MgCha 1 with additional 11.8 4MgCha coarse woody debris biomass. average stored forested covers 140 40 18 14MgCha , respectively, 57% vegetated canopy regionally. Both total surprisingly high, even heavily urbanized areas, well exceeding observations other areas US stocks. As populations continue rapidly increase globe, these results highlight importance considering cycle.