Abstract
The state of the urban carbon cycle is an important indicator for managing fossil energy consumption and land resources and it is also a basis for the planning of urban eco-services and urban sustainable development. This paper aims to analyze the spatial distribution of the carbon cycle of the mono-centric cities, based on the von Thünen concentric ring theory, using the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs) model and an atmospheric diffusion model to assess the carbon sequestration capacity of land cover/use, to estimate carbon emissions, discuss influencing factors that determine changing trends in carbon sequestration capacity and to predict the changing law of the carbon sequestration eco-service spatial pattern based on scenario simulations. The results of this study show: (1) In Guang’an, the spatial distribution of the carbon cycle follows a concentric ring pattern. From the concentric ring pattern center, the first annular zone represents the carbon emissions, which lie at the concentric ring center; the second annular zone represents the carbon sequestration service; and the third annular zone represents stable carbon stock; (2) The structure of the concentric ring has not changed, but the spatial distribution of carbon sequestration and carbon density has changed due to fossil energy consumption and land cover/use change. From 2014 to 2016, the carbon emission zone shrunk, while the carbon sequestration service zone expanded and the carbon density increased—the increase of forest land is the main factor in the increase of carbon density; (3) The current carbon sequestration eco-service in Guang’an is not the best development condition. The planning of urban eco-service spatial patterns and land cover/use should consider the protection of cultivated and ecological areas at the same time. The results of this study can help the government implement spatial planning and regional policy interventions for land cover/use and eco-service.
Highlights
The urban carbon cycle is a component of the global carbon cycle [1]
Through discussing the influence that regulation of the carbon sequestration zone and land cover/use has on the carbon sequestration capacity of the city, we conclude that it is significant for formulating land cover/use policies that maintain the carbon cycle stability of cities
This paper discussed the spatial distribution of carbon cycle for mono-centric cities, based on the von Thünen concentric ring theory, using an integration of the InVEST model and the revised atmospheric diffusion model, combined with land cover/use, carbon emissions and ecological data, and we discuss the various factors of land cover/use change on urban carbon cycle and its spatial pattern evolution using scenario simulations
Summary
The urban carbon cycle is a component of the global carbon cycle [1]. In China, urban expansion has increased energy consumption and carbon emissions [2]. The carbon sequestration capacity of densely populated cities is limited, so those cities must transfer the ecological pressure of carbon sequestration to the suburbs [3]. Urban suburbs have a close ecological relationship with cities [4,5]. The creation of urban ecological zones should involve the consideration of ecological security [6]. The division of the study area into ecological functional units can help to allocate ecosystem resources [7] and reveal ecological and environmental problems [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
