Spatial Modeling of Local‐Scale Biogenic and Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Helsinki

There is a growing need to simulate the effect of urban planning on both local climate and greenhouse gas emissions. Here, a new urban surface carbon dioxide (CO2) flux module for the Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme is described and evaluated using eddy covariance observations at two sites in Helsinki in 2012. The spatial variability and magnitude of local‐scale anthropogenic and biogenic CO2 flux components at high spatial (250 m × 250 m) and temporal (hourly) resolution are examined by combining high‐resolution (down to 2 m) airborne lidar‐derived land use data and mobility data to account for people's movement. Urban effects are included in the biogenic components parameterized using urban eddy covariance and chamber observations. Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme reproduces the seasonal and diurnal variability of the CO2 flux well. Annual totals deviate 3% from observations in the city center and 2% in a suburban location. In the latter, traffic is the dominant CO2 source but summertime vegetation partly offsets traffic‐related emissions. In the city center, emissions from traffic and human metabolism dominate and the vegetation effect is minor due to the low proportion of vegetation surface cover (22%). Within central Helsinki, human metabolism accounts for 39% of the net local‐scale emissions and together with road traffic is to a large extent responsible for the spatial variability of the emissions. Annually, the biogenic emissions and sinks are in near balance and thus the effect of vegetation on the carbon balance is small in this high‐latitude city. Key Points The high spatial variability of local‐scale anthropogenic and biogenic CO2 fluxes represented in central Helsinki The role of vegetation in the carbon balance is small in this high‐latitude city The spatiotemporal variability of human metabolism has a large impact on local‐scale spatial fluxes and net carbon emissions