The Future of Urban Soils

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperChapter

Abstract

Urban soils are a global resource which presents many challenges and opportunities for human populations in cities. This chapter addresses several of these opportunities and threats, and highlights where scientific knowledge is uncertain or incomplete with implications for the direction of further research. Climate change and global warming is discussed in terms of soil resilience, carbon cycling and storage, pollutant fluxes, and changes in water inputs. We review studies finding that biodiversity change in the context of urban soils may be negative or positive and suggest that some urban environments can promote conservation of flora and fauna. Urban agriculture is a significant opportunity for beneficial use of urban soils, and the benefits and constraints of growing food and trees in cities are examined. Water Sensitive Urban Design is unevenly implemented globally and offers multiple benefits for sustainable development which are not fully realised. Urban soil contamination is presented as an ongoing issue, with discussions of both legacy contamination and emerging contaminants. We highlight the potential for urban soil remediation to be performed more sustainably by widespread adoption of life cycle assessment and emphasise the need to promote environmental justice in the context of urban soils worldwide. Finally, we draw attention to the opportunities to include indigenous, traditional, and local soil knowledge in parallel with scientific and technical understanding of urban soils.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUrban Soils
Subtitle of host publicationPrinciples and Practice
EditorsAndrew Rate
Place of PublicationCham, Switzerland
PublisherSpringer Nature Switzerland AG
Chapter12
Pages399-427
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-87316-5
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-87315-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2022

Publication series

NameProgress in Soil Science
PublisherSpringer Nature Switzerland AG
ISSN (Print)2352-4774
ISSN (Electronic)2352-4782

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