Mapping and modeling urban and peri-urban carbon storage ecosystem service in the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve (Morocco): Integrating GIS, remote sensing, and InVEST Model

In Morocco’s Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve (ACBR), urban and peri-urban areas are crucial settings for sustainable urban ecosystem services (UES), supplying essential benefits including carbon sequestration and storage (CSS), which support climate mitigation. As urban growth alters natural landscapes, understanding the spatial distribution of UES is becoming fundamental. The study aims to assess how land use and land cover (LULC) changes from 2017 to 2023 affect CSS in Ifrane’s urban and peri-urban areas. Based on LULC data from 2017 to 2023 and the InVEST model, CSS was quantified and mapped across various LULC types, with an economic valuation of stored carbon. Results show carbon stocks increased from 5.720×106 Mg to 5.808×106 Mg between 2017 and 2023, reflecting a 1.53% rise, gaining 8.735×104 Mg of carbon. Over the six years, LULC changes significantly influenced CSS. The economic value of sequestered carbon ranged from $2.14 million to $4.27 million. The findings emphasized the need for urban planning policies incorporating nature-based solutions to enhance carbon storage, maintain ecological integrity, and promote sustainable urban development in the ACBR.