The Impacts of Urbanization: Carbon Cycling in our Ecosystem
The UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences is proud to welcome Boston University Professor Dr. Lucy Hutyra (BS '98) as the 2024 Sustaining Our World Speaker. Dr. Hutyra will present “The Impacts of Urbanization: Carbon Cycling in our Ecosystem,” and a short Q&A will be held after the presentation.
Description: The convergence of urbanization and climate change is reshaping our planet at an unprecedented pace. With over half of humanity now residing in cities, our landscapes and ecosystems face profound transformations. In this talk I will explore how the fragmentation and transformation of ecosystems with urbanization impacts the cycling of carbon, nutrients, and water. Using a combination of field observations, modeling, and comparative analyses, we will explore the interplay between urban morphology, human activities, climate, and ecosystems. This lens will illuminate how these factors interact to influence biogeochemical processes and ultimately shape ecosystem productivity. Concluding with a forward-looking perspective, we will explore potential solutions to enhance urban livability while simultaneously considering how we can equip future generations of scientists with the tools and knowledge needed to tackle the challenges of global environmental change.