Spatial variability in soil carbon dynamics and related parameters in urbanization driven peri-urban region

Rapid expansion of urban areas dramatically alters land use, which thereby influences the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and processes in urban soil. However, research on the spatial patterns of soil carbon (C) dynamics associated with urban land use in developing countries is limited. The present study aimed to document the spatial variability in SOC and related parameters in a rapidly urbanizing peri-urban region of Ghaziabad. A multiscale approach was used to assess the influence of anthropogenic land use types on soil C dynamics. Soil characterization was done at three scales, i.e., patches, land use types viz. agriculture (AGR), residential (RES), park (PAR), industrial (IND), and bare land (BAR), and the peri-urban region. Result showed that the soil properties varied differently across the scales, increasing from smaller scale (within-patch) to wider scale (regional scale). Comparison among different land uses showed significant variation in soil parameters across the selected types. RES land use exhibited highest SOC (1.31%), total nitrogen (0.13%), and SOC density (55.6 Mg ha^-1), while PAR land use with favourable edaphic conditions showed highest microbial biomass C (MBC) (300 μg g^-1) and CO₂ efflux (11.3 CO₂-C mg g^-1 h^-1). Green spaces, i.e., PAR and RES had higher C mineralization activity in comparison to other land use types. Relatively disturbed IND land use had low SOC and related parameters, indicating a strong impact of anthropogenic disturbances. We concluded that adopting appropriate management activities in urban green spaces can reduce C efflux and enhance their C storage potential.