Abstract: Urban expansion profoundly altered ecosystems by replacing natural or productive land with impervious surfaces, thereby affecting key ecological functions such as net primary productivity (NPP), carbon storage, and soil properties. This study evaluated NPP and soil organic carbon (SOC) across the urban–periurban gradient of the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires (MRBA), the most populous area in Argentina. Based on crop yield data, harvest indices, and soil series, NPP (Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and SOC (t C ha⁻¹) were estimated for 40 municipalities. The results revealed a marked contrast between urban and peri-urban areas. Urban municipalities with intensive horticulture (e.g., Avellaneda, Quilmes) exhibited relatively high NPP despite limited land availability, whereas consolidated urban zones (e.g., San Isidro) showed low productivity. Periurban areas characterized by diversified or extensive agricultural systems (e.g., La Plata, Berisso, San Pedro) presented the highest NPP values. SOC levels varied across the region, with no statistically significant differences observed between urban and peri-urban zones overall. However, land-use intensity and management practices clearly influenced both NPP and carbon dynamics. These findings underscored the ecological relevance of periurban agriculture and emphasized the importance of spatial planning strategies that incorporated ecosystem-based approaches to enhance resilience and sustain key ecosystem services in urbanizing landscapes.

Keywords: vegetables, grain crops, land use, municipalities, food production

Pages: 119-132

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