Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences

Cities are hotspots of anthropogenic CO2-emissions. Consequently, they have a special responsibility for creating strategies and implementing measures to avoid greenhouse gas emissions. A systematic management of the carbon reservoirs of Berlin's soils is still lacking - despite its great potential. The overarching goal of this project is to strengthen urban climate conservation through the protection and development of soils and their carbon reservoirs.

The project "Kosie" aims to enable a knowledge-based management of the carbon reservoirs of sealed and de-sealed soils. So far, only information on natural carbon reservoirs of open soils is available in Berlin, but little information exists on soils of the above-mentioned type. In this project, a scientific database on sealed and de-sealed soils will be created. For this purpose, sealed and de-sealed sites in Berlin´s urban area will be investigated, soil samples will be taken and analysed in the laboratory. The data obtained, especially on the quantity, type and distribution of the carbon reservoirs, will also be evaluated with regard to various influencing factors.

The results will be published in 2023 in the form of a brochure. The project results of "Kosie" are intended to support the goals of the "Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Program 2030". The project will deliver soil data that is of great relevance for urban development and planning with the aim "climate-neutral Berlin 2050".