Project Summary:

This study investigates carbon cycle dynamics in urban complex ecosystems to address the critical role of cities in global carbon fluxes. The research establishes a high spatiotemporal resolution urban carbon emission inventory and deploys ground-based carbon monitoring stations to develop a methodological framework for inventory construction. By integrating atmospheric transport models, simulated urban CO₂ concentrations are validated against observational data, refining inventory accuracy and identifying error sources. An atmospheric inversion model is further developed to estimate urban CO₂ fluxes by synthesizing emission inventories and CO₂ concentration observations, with uncertainty analysis highlighting key drivers of urban carbon neutrality challenges. As urban CO₂ fluxes typically represent net emissions, this work quantifies city-scale carbon budgets, clarifies spatiotemporal patterns of carbon sources/sinks, and provides scientific foundations for decarbonization strategies. The project advances technical methodologies for urban carbon cycle monitoring and modeling, enhances understanding of carbon-climate interactions in heterogeneous urban systems, and supports evidence-based policies for emission reduction and carbon sink enhancement.

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Jun Wang
Duration: January 2019 – December 2022