Soil Dynamics in an Urban Forest and Its Contribution as an Ecosystem Service

María de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes (), Oscar Peralta, Rocío García, Eugenia González del Castillo, Rosa María Cerón Bretón, Julia Griselda Cerón Bretón, Eric Tun Camal and Faustino Zavala García
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María de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes: Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change Institute, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Oscar Peralta: Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change Institute, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Rocío García: Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change Institute, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Eugenia González del Castillo: Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change Institute, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Rosa María Cerón Bretón: Chemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, Mexico
Julia Griselda Cerón Bretón: Chemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, Mexico
Eric Tun Camal: Chemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, Mexico
Faustino Zavala García: Marine Sciences and Limnology Institute, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Forests embedded in an urban matrix are an important site to investigate the effects of multiple anthropogenic influences that can lead to the modification of biogeochemical cycles and, consequently, of the ecosystem services they provide. In this study, the main soil properties, exchangeable cations, and heavy metal concentrations were measured to assess soil quality and fertility, as well as soil carbon stock (SCS) and CO 2 effluxes (Rs) at the Natural Protected Area Bosque de Tlalpan (BT). Four study zones were considered: strict protection zone (Z1), restricted use protection zone (Z2), extensive public use zone (Z3), and intensive public use zone (Z4) during three climatic seasons (rainy, dry-cold, and dry-warm seasons). The concentration of heavy metals in the BT soil showed that these elements are within the reference limits accepted by Mexican standards and are not considered toxic to the environment, except for mercury, which exceeded the standard with double the concentration. The results revealed significant variations in the SCS and soil organic matter (SOM) among the different sites. The highest mean values of SCS (3.01 ± 0.63 and 4.96 ± 0.19 kg m −2 ) and SOM (7.5 ± 1.01% and 8.7 ± 0.93%) were observed in areas of high protection and extensive public use. CO 2 effluxes showed significant differences between sampling seasons, with fluxes being highest during the rainy season (3.14 ± 1.01 µmol∙m −2 ∙s −1 ). The results suggest that the level of conservation and effective management of the sites played an important role in the carbon storage capacity and in the physicochemical properties of the soil. This not only provided insights into the current state of an urban forest within a large urban area but also emphasized the significance of conserving such ecosystems.

Keywords: CO 2 effluxes; soil carbon stock; soil fertility; land management; urban soils (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:12:p:2098-:d:1285826

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