Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon

Abstract Urban expansion has triggered significant changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), profoundly affecting the global carbon cycle. The accurate prediction of the global distribution of urban SOC and assessment of the impact of future urban expansion on SOC are essential for urban soil carbon man...

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Main Authors: Lingxia Feng, Junjie Jiang, Junguo Hu, Taolve Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85753-1
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author Lingxia Feng
Junjie Jiang
Junguo Hu
Taolve Chen
author_facet Lingxia Feng
Junjie Jiang
Junguo Hu
Taolve Chen
author_sort Lingxia Feng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Urban expansion has triggered significant changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), profoundly affecting the global carbon cycle. The accurate prediction of the global distribution of urban SOC and assessment of the impact of future urban expansion on SOC are essential for urban soil carbon management. By using data from 377 urban locations, this study estimated the global distribution of urban SOC and projected future SOC changes under two socioeconomic scenarios: SSP126 and SSP585. The results showed that compared with the urban SOC density in 2000 (64.75 Mg C ha− 1), the global urban SOC density by 2100 decreased by 1.19% and 4.72% under the SSP126 and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. However, urban SOC stocks increased by 66.13% and 178.75% by 2100 under SSP126 and SSP585, respectively, reflecting a “carbon transfer” from natural ecosystems to urban land use. This study provides critical insights into the dynamics of urban SOC and underscores the necessity to balance urban expansion with ecosystem protection to reduce carbon loss and stabilise the global carbon balance.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-89190563e41147f0a1abb4699b5360192025-01-19T12:17:13ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-85753-1Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbonLingxia Feng0Junjie Jiang1Junguo Hu2Taolve Chen3School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang A&F UniversitySchool of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang A&F UniversitySchool of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang A&F UniversitySchool of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang A&F UniversityAbstract Urban expansion has triggered significant changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), profoundly affecting the global carbon cycle. The accurate prediction of the global distribution of urban SOC and assessment of the impact of future urban expansion on SOC are essential for urban soil carbon management. By using data from 377 urban locations, this study estimated the global distribution of urban SOC and projected future SOC changes under two socioeconomic scenarios: SSP126 and SSP585. The results showed that compared with the urban SOC density in 2000 (64.75 Mg C ha− 1), the global urban SOC density by 2100 decreased by 1.19% and 4.72% under the SSP126 and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. However, urban SOC stocks increased by 66.13% and 178.75% by 2100 under SSP126 and SSP585, respectively, reflecting a “carbon transfer” from natural ecosystems to urban land use. This study provides critical insights into the dynamics of urban SOC and underscores the necessity to balance urban expansion with ecosystem protection to reduce carbon loss and stabilise the global carbon balance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85753-1Soil organic carbonUrbanisationClimate changeMachine learning
spellingShingle Lingxia Feng
Junjie Jiang
Junguo Hu
Taolve Chen
Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon
Scientific Reports
Soil organic carbon
Urbanisation
Climate change
Machine learning
title Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon
title_full Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon
title_fullStr Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon
title_full_unstemmed Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon
title_short Predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon
title_sort predicting the impact of dynamic global urban expansion on urban soil organic carbon
topic Soil organic carbon
Urbanisation
Climate change
Machine learning
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85753-1
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AT taolvechen predictingtheimpactofdynamicglobalurbanexpansiononurbansoilorganiccarbon