Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Natkos

Deutsche Version

Cities are hotspots of anthropogenic CO₂-emissions. Consequently, they have a particular responsibility for creating strategies and implementing measures to avoid greenhouse gas emissions. A systematic management of the carbon reservoirs of Berlin's urban nature (soil and vegetation) is still lacking - despite its great potential. The overall objective of the project was to strengthen climate conservation in Berlin through the protection and development of the carbon reservoirs of soils and green infrastructure (vegetation).

To meet this objective, the project developed a set of instruments for determining and evaluating the carbon stock of soils and vegetation in Berlin. These instruments allow prognoses on the carbon balance of specific urban development projects and can be consulted in land use planning. An essential component of this project was the creation of a reliable data basis to assess the role of Berlin's soils for climate conservation. Such a data basis allows a differentiation of typical carbon reservoirs and stocks of soils according to selected soil properties, conservation potentials and urban land use types. In addition, typical carbon stocks and -balances (CO₂-fixing potentials) of different vegetation types were determined. The soil and vegetation data are of great relevance in urban development and planning aiming for a "climate-neutral Berlin 2050". The project results are publicly accessible in the form of a brochure detailing the application of the above-mentioned instruments.