Investigating potential hydrological ecosystem services in urban gardens through soil amendment experiments and hydrologic models

Abstract Among the ecosystem services provided by urban greenspace are retention and infiltration of stormwater, which decreases flooding, enhanced evapotranspiration, helps mitigate heat island effects. Some types greenspace, such as rain gardens green roofs, intentionally designed to enhance these hydrologic functions. Urban gardens, while primarily for food production aesthetic benefits, may have similar function, due high levels soil organic matter that promote water holding capacity. We quantified leachate moisture from experimental garden plots receiving various amendments (high low manure municipal compost, synthetic fertilizer, no inputs) over three years. Soil varied across treatments, with highest mean observed in lowest fertilizer. amendment treatments explained little variation weekly volume, but among compost fertilizer had volumes, slightly higher volumes. used data parameterize a simple mass balance model, focusing on input plots, well reference turfgrass plots. ran model growing seasons under ambient precipitation elevated scenarios. Garden received 12–16% greater total inputs compared because irrigation, totals were 20–30% lower climate scenarios, was 50–60% Within each scenario, difference between additional small relative differences turfgrass. Taken together, results indicate can influence retention, high-water infiltration, evapotranspiration potential soils indicates be an underappreciated benefit gardens.