Enhancing soil health in urban green spaces: The critical role of terrain and hydrological connectivity in nutrient redistribution

Abstract

Urban green spaces are essential for maintaining ecological balance, although the distribution of soil nutrients in these areas can be considerably influenced by topographic features and hydrological connectivity. Understanding the interaction of these factors is crucial for developing sustainable land management practices that optimize soil health. We explore the role of terrain characteristics and hydrological connectivity in shaping soil nutrient distribution across urban parks. A total of 40 plots across two urban parks were surveyed to adequately capture variations in topography and hydrological connectivity within the study areas. The research focused on topographic attributes such as elevation, slope, and curvature, along with hydrological factors like flow paths and wetness indices. The results demonstrate that while individual topographic features show limited direct effects on nutrient levels, their combined influence through hydrological connectivity is substantial. Hydrological connectivity was a key driver of nutrient redistribution, highlighting the role of water-mediated transport. Additionally, we revealed that relationships between terrain and nutrient distribution vary with scale, emphasizing the need for high-resolution digital elevation models to capture fine-scale terrain variations critical for accurately modelling hydrological connectivity and nutrient dynamics. Our findings suggest that terrain modifications, such as slope adjustments, microtopographic reshaping, or the creation of artificial depressions, can improve nutrient retention and support sustainable management of urban green spaces. We provide valuable insights for urban land management, contributing to the optimization of nutrient distribution, and the enhancement of urban ecosystem functionality.