ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the factors and processes of the urbanization effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, considers different space and time scales. Urban soil is a specific phenomenon, exposed to the anthropogenic influence both directly and indirectly. There is still no agreement in the research community on whether urban soils are carbon stocks or sources. Some comparative studies report higher SOC stocks in urban soils compared to nonurban soils. The assessment of carbon stocks in urban soils is complicated by high spatial-temporal variability, driven by a combination of bioclimatic and urban-specific factors. Regional analysis of urbanization effect on SOC stocks may be even more challenging compared to the global scale, since the allocation of the urbanized areas and spatial variability of SOC carbon within and between the urban areas are complicated by multiple environmental and socio-economic factors.
