Research on Carbon Sink Performance of Blue-Green Landscape Spaces in the Wuhan Garden Expo Park

Abstract

Investigating the carbon sink performance of urban blue-green spaces can help guide reasonable construction of urban carbon pools and enable to scientific assessment of carbon sinks. Among the existing studies, there are few mesoscale studies and comprehensive benefits of blue-green spaces are rarely investigated. Thus, this study attempted to perform a a long-term follow-up investigation of the Wuhan Garden Expo Park, which was built five years ago. In particular, attention was paid to the comprehensive assessment of the carbon sink capacity of blue-green spaces formed by water bodies and green spaces in the Park. Spatial and ecological data on the Park was acquired using ENVI and GIS software and was based on construction drawings and on-site sampling surveys. Vegetation, soil, and water environments in the Park were assessed with reference to the National Tree Benefit Calculator of the USA and the biomass estimation method. The main findings are as follows: ( 1) The total carbon sink in the blue-green space is about 111,485.4 tons; (2) Vegetation and soil are major contributors to the total carbon sink, accounting for 62.9% and 36. 96% ; (3) Vegetation with high carbon sink capacity, such as trees with strong carbon sinks, can significantly improve the carbon sink performanc of green spaces; (4) Permeable soils significantly contribute to carbon sinks; (5) Water in the blue-green space only accounts for 0. 14% of the carbon sink. However, aquatic vegetation in wetlands can improve the carbon sinking potential of water bodies. This study provides a reference for future mesoscale research on carbon sink performance assessment in urban areas.