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Carbon Dynamics across an Urban to Wildland interface in Subtropical, Central Florida


EMSL Project ID
48381

Abstract

Urban centers are a major global source of fossil-fuel emissions, and consequently a large source of carbon (C) to the atmosphere. Understanding the impact of urbanization on C cycling, is therefore critical to our ability to model the C cycle at a regional scale. Eddy covariance provides a methodology to measure net C exchange at the ecosystem, or neighborhood scale. These measurements integrate both anthropogenic and biogenic fluxes within a measured footprint. Such studies have been established in both urban and suburban areas and provide valuable spatial and temporal information about patterns of C flux. However, challenges to modeling urban C exchange exist due to divergent drivers of anthropogenic and biogenic fluxes. Partitioning of net C exchange amongst anthropogenic and biogenic components is essential for process based modeling of the urban C cycle. Stable isotopes show great promise for partitioning sources of CO2 in urban systems based on different 18O and 13C signatures of fossil fuels and biogenic CO2. This research will not only investigate how net ecosystem exchange of carbon is affected by urbanization, but will also elucidate the driving forces responsible. We will enhance an existing eddy covariance C flux site in an urbanized area of central Florida. We plan to work with EMSL scientists to develop and deploy a capillary absorption spectrometer (CAS) for high-frequency measurement of CO2, CO, CH4 and their 13C and 18O signatures. This enhanced capability will enable partitioning of anthropogenic and biogenic components of the net C fluxes. Working with EMSL scientists, we will use these data to parameterize the Community Land Model (CLM) for the Central Florida landscape to simulate C processes and fluxes over the heterogeneous urban-wildland transition. This research will address the specific questions of: How does the net ecosystem C exchange compare between urbanized and natural environments with equivalent regional climate conditions and geologic history?, What is the contribution of biogenic and anthropogenic drivers of C exchange in an urbanized environment?, and What are the impacts of urban expansion on C sequestration and storage at the regional scale?

Project Details

Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2014-10-01
End Date
2016-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Charles Hinkle
Institution
University of Central Florida