Study on the Optimization of Carbon Sequestration in Shanghai’s Urban Artificial Wetlands: The Cases of Shanghai Fish and Dishui Lake

The study focused on optimizing carbon sequestration in urban artificial wetlands, using the Shanghai Fish and Dishui Lake as case studies. As cities like Shanghai experienced rapid urbanization, natural wetland areas diminished, making artificial wetlands essential for carbon storage and ecosystem preservation. The study investigated how various factors—such as plant species, wetland size, and landscape patterns—influenced carbon sequestration. Through field surveys and remote sensing, carbon density changes from 2018 to 2023 were analyzed using grid-based landscape pattern metrics. Results showed significant spatial variation in carbon sequestration, with larger, more fragmented wetland patches contributing more to carbon storage. Emergent plants, particularly Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia, demonstrated the highest carbon sequestration potential. The research proposed three optimization models (point, linear, and planar) tailored for different wetland areas, focusing on expanding plant diversity, enhancing landscape complexity, and improving patch distribution. After optimization, carbon storage in the Shanghai Fish wetland was projected to increase by 2.6 times, while Dishui Lake’s carbon storage was expected to grow by 3.5 times. The study concluded that carefully planned wetland management, emphasizing plant species selection and spatial design, could significantly enhance carbon sequestration, contributing to Shanghai’s carbon neutrality goals. The research provided valuable insights for urban ecological planning, highlighting the role of artificial wetlands in climate regulation.