Adaptive green space management strategies for sustainable carbon sink parks

Abstract

Green spaces, such as urban parks, function as carbon absorption strategies for the attainment of carbon neutrality. However, urban parks are at risk of losing their carbon absorption function based on changes in carbon flux dynamics due to climate change. Therefore, this study proposes an adaptive green space management strategy for establishing a sustainable carbon sink park by analyzing the carbon flux dynamics of urban parks. To this end, first, a system dynamics model was developed to analyze the carbon flux dynamics of city parks. Second, 10 adaptive green space management programs were established to enable the urban park to function as a carbon sink park. After evaluating the effects of the program, third, three scenarios were built according to the pursued values (ecological, social, economic). As a result of analyzing the carbon flux dynamics, the annual net carbon uptake has continuously decreased since the 2030 s. The amount of carbon uptake has decreased due to a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis, an increase in pests, and mortality. As a result, lawn area decreases, increases in broad-leaf trees, and decreases in lawn management strength were the most effective programs for increasing the carbon uptake by the following order. In addition, the ecological scenario was reported to have the highest cumulative net carbon uptake among the three scenarios. However, all programs and scenarios could not prevent urban parks from losing their carbon sink function. These results presented the flexibility of carbon flux dynamics and how climate change threatened the sustainability of carbon sink parks. According to the results of this study, an adaptive green space management program should be modified to increase carbon sequestration without degrading other functions of urban parks. A further study will be conducted to expand the system dynamics model and analyze the effects of the modified program.