Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael A. Allen, Dar A. Roberts, Joseph P. McFadden
Summary: Urban vegetation helps mitigate elevated temperatures in cities, but drought poses a challenge by reducing evapotranspiration and green vegetation cover. Drought-induced reductions of green vegetation cover during the 2012-16 California drought led to increased urban land surface temperatures and diminished cooling effects, highlighting the importance of vegetation in urban heat mitigation efforts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathleen Coupland, David Hamilton, Verena Griess
Summary: This research demonstrates how the combination of high-resolution LiDAR data and historical aerial photos can overcome challenges in assessing long-term tree canopy cover changes. The methods outlined in this study are suitable for detecting small-scale canopy changes over long time frames when inconsistent data types are available between the two time periods.
Article
Forestry
Steven D. Frank, Kristi M. Backe
Summary: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the impact of urban heat islands on forests and summarize recent literature on the topic. The review focuses on the direct effects of high temperatures from urban heat islands on forest trees and the indirect effects through changes in soil moisture and pest density. Recent findings indicate that urban heat islands can push trees and arthropods closer to their thermal limits, affecting tree growth and arthropod fitness. The research also emphasizes the need for further studies on the urban-forest interface and the consequences of urbanization for plants and animals within forests.
CURRENT FORESTRY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Milena Fiuza Diniz, Francisco Dallmeier, Tremaine Gregory, Victor Martinez, Silvia Saldivar-Bellassai, Maria Alejandra Benitez-Stanley, Ana Maria Sanchez-Cuervo
Summary: The study aimed to find priority areas that maximize connectivity between protected areas for multiple species while balancing socio-economic conflicts in the Atlantic Forest of Paraguay. It was found that incorporating socio-economic factors in the analysis resulted in a shift in priority areas and a reduction in connectivity by up to 15%. Forest restoration is necessary for improving connectivity, and the optimistic conflict scenario was considered the most cost-effective solution.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jennifer Viezzer, Daniela Biondi
Summary: The study investigated the impact of COVID-19 in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and found a strong correlation between higher urbanization and COVID-19. Socioeconomic and eco-environmental factors also showed meaningful relationships with health parameters related to COVID-19.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Dexter Henry Locke, Lara A. Roman, Jason G. Henning, Marc Healy
Summary: This study used a land cover change dataset spanning 40 years to analyze the relationship between land cover change and socioeconomic factors in Philadelphia. The research found that land cover stability dominated the transition sequences, and increases in homeownership, income, and educational attainment were associated with a higher probability of tree canopy persistence. These findings highlight the importance of connecting land cover changes with socioeconomic changes.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mahesti Okitasari, Ranjeeta Mishra, Masachika Suzuki
Summary: This study explores the impact of socio-cultural outlooks on the acceptance of sustainability measures in a low-income context, as well as the role of socio-economic drivers in bridging the gaps between policy expectation and acceptance in social housing projects. The study found that social housing offers improved social and environmental sustainability components compared to slums, but its social acceptability remains low due to location disadvantages. Additionally, the study identified economic opportunity, location, accessibility of the building, household size, and opportunity for social engagement as the most critical factors in determining the perceived housing satisfaction of households with social housing compared to slums.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yasong Guo, Yinyi Lin, Wendy Y. Chen, Jing Ling, Qiaosi Li, Joseph Michalski, Hongsheng Zhang
Summary: This study developed a model to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) in urban parks at the species level by combining remote sensing data, field data, and tree species identification methods. The model achieved high accuracy in estimating AGB and identified the impact of a typhoon on AGB in the study area. The study contributes to understanding AGB distribution and carbon cycle dynamics in urban scenarios.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Petri R. Forsstrom, Jussi Juola, Miina Rautiainen
Summary: This study analyzed the spectral reflectance factors and fractional covers of understory vegetation in different forest stands in a southern boreal forest area in Finland. The results showed specific spectral features of the understory related to site fertility type and fractional cover. The findings suggest that remote sensing can differentiate forest site fertility types and estimate understory green fractional cover in northern European boreal forests.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Forestry
Mingxia Yang, Xiaolu Zhou, Zelin Liu, Peng Li, Jiayi Tang, Binggeng Xie, Changhui Peng
Summary: Understanding the biomass, characteristics, and carbon sequestration of urban forests is crucial for maintaining and improving the quality of life and ensuring sustainable urban planning. This review evaluates recent developments in urban forest research methods, compares the accuracy and efficiency of different methods, and identifies emerging themes in urban forest assessment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nick Gutkin, Valens Uwizeyimana, Ben Somers, Bart Muys, Bruno Verbist
Summary: Eastern Rwanda has diverse land cover types including agroforestry, forest patches, and shrubland, all of which have tree cover. The use of automated methods and satellite imagery, such as Google Earth Engine and the random forests algorithm, allows for cost-effective and time-efficient mapping and monitoring of the landscape. This study combined Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with various vegetation indices, texture metrics, principal components, and non-spectral layers to classify land cover types in the study area. The results showed high classification accuracies for forest, shrubland, and agroforestry, with non-spectral layers and texture metrics being important for accurate classification.
Article
Forestry
Nasradeen A. H. Gadallah, Abdelnasir I. A. Hano, Eiman Diab, Galal Omer
Summary: Forests in the aridlands of Sudan, particularly in Wad Al-Bashir Forest, are facing depletion and changes in tree cover primarily due to illegal logging and agricultural activities. It is recommended that forest authorities prioritize conservative and protective practices related to agriculture, grazing, forest fire, pest and disease control, with increased financial support and eradication of invasive species.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuliang Wang, Mingshi Li
Summary: This paper proposed an improved FVC estimation model by fusing the optimized dynamic range vegetation index (ODRVI) model, which enhanced sensitivity and stability to changes in urban vegetation cover. The annual urban FVC dynamics were mapped using this model in Hefei, China, showing a decrease of 33.08% in total FVC area over the past 20 years.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Asim Khan, Warda Asim, Anwaar Ulhaq, Randall W. Robinson
Summary: This study proposed a new vegetation index called MSVI, which can accurately estimate vegetation cover with robustness to color, viewpoint, and seasonal variations. It can be applied directly to RGB images. The experiments on Google Street View imagery achieved high pixel accuracy for MSVI in Wyndham City Council, Melbourne, Australia.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nan Wang, Yunyan Du, Fuyuan Liang, Huimeng Wang, Jiawei Yi
Summary: The study found that from 1998 to 2018, the mean adjusted DN values of nighttime light data in China showed a continuous increase, while vegetation greenness displayed fluctuating but generally upward trend. Majority of the grids with increased vegetation greenness were located in rural areas, particularly in the Northeast forest shelterbelt and the Loess Plateau. Conversely, rapidly urbanized areas showed a downward trend in vegetation greenness values.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Md Azharul Alam, Sarah Wyse, Hannah L. Buckley, George L. W. Perry, Jon J. Sullivan, Norman W. H. Mason, Rowan Buxton, Sarah J. Richardson, Timothy J. Curran
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Lloyd D. Stringer, Nicola J. Sullivan, Robyn White, Alfredo Jimenez-Perez, Jess Furlong, John M. Kean, Jacqueline R. Beggs, David Maxwell Suckling
Article
Plant Sciences
Sarah V. Wyse, Philip E. Hulme
Summary: We found a strong positive relationship between seed mass and samara terminal velocity across all 12 species; however, this seed mass-dispersal trade-off was only significant within two of our species. For most species, wing loading was the most important trait determining samara terminal velocity. The majority of the variation in terminal velocity occurred within individual trees, while seed mass variation mostly occurred among trees and may therefore be subject to stronger selection pressure.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Jessica C. Devitt, Matthew K. D. Hall, Adriana J. Najar-Rodriguez, Jacqueline R. Beggs
JOURNAL OF STORED PRODUCTS RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ellery J. McNaughton, Jacqueline R. Beggs, Kevin J. Gaston, Darryl N. Jones, Margaret C. Stanley
Summary: Replacing streetlights with white LEDs may have both positive and negative effects on urban wildlife conservation. Although the direct impacts are relatively small, they could be mitigated by changes in lighting characteristics.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia Marion Schmack, Gavin Lear, Carmen Astudillo-Garcia, Stephane Boyer, Darren F. Ward, Jacqueline R. Beggs
Summary: This study quantified the spatial distribution and dietary composition of four invasive wasp species, revealing clear resource partitioning among them that facilitates coexistence. These species predominantly consume native and endemic invertebrates, with a combined ecological impact on the recipient community.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
C. M. Lees, A. Rutschmann, A. W. Santure, J. R. Beggs
Summary: This study investigates the impact of species conservation planning on threatened species. Results show that a science-based, participatory approach to planning can reverse the decline of threatened species within 15 years and prevent species extinction.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah V. Wyse, Philip E. Hulme
Summary: Common weed risk assessment tools and expert knowledge were unable to predict the spread rates of non-native naturalized pine species in New Zealand, and should not be used to provide an index of spread risk. Instead, we recommend a move towards the use of dispersal models when assessing the spread risk of these species, even at national scales. Current practices relying on expert assessment are likely to underestimate the spread rate of species currently considered 'low risk', suggesting that these tools may be inadequate for predicting spread of these species.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ellery J. McNaughton, Kevin J. Gaston, Jacqueline R. Beggs, Darryl N. Jones, Margaret C. Stanley
Summary: Light pollution is a global issue with significant impacts on urban ecosystems. Research in Auckland shows that sky glow partially masks the lunar cycle and poses risks to nearby marine and terrestrial areas of ecological importance. Brighter night skies are associated with proximity to city centers, commercial and industrial land use, and densities of buildings and streetlights.
Article
Ecology
Sarah Wyse, Philip E. Hulme
Summary: The competition-colonisation trade-off is a key mechanism for maintaining species diversity. This study focuses on the within-species perspective and finds no evidence of a trade-off between competition and colonisation within species.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Thomas R. Etherington, Duane A. Peltzer, Sarah Wyse
Summary: Non-native conifers pose a significant threat to New Zealand's ecology and biodiversity. A study using ecological niche modelling found that the potential distribution of most non-native conifer species is predicted to decline in future climates. However, some species may experience an increase in suitable climate space. These findings can guide the management of non-native conifers in New Zealand and can also contribute to invasion risk modelling in other areas where these species are introduced in the Southern Hemisphere.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Thomas R. Etherington, James M. R. Brock, George L. W. Perry, Sarah Wyse
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sarah Wyse, Philip E. Hulme, Thomas R. Etherington
Summary: This study introduces a method for ground-based visual surveys of invasive trees using laser rangefinder and GNSS technology, and the novel use of GIS viewsheds to define the surveyed area. The results show that data suitable for mapping invasive trees can be efficiently collected over large areas, supporting species-environment relationship analyses and risk mapping for areas prone to invasion. This efficient approach using standard equipment and GIS software is recommended for other spatial and invasion ecologists.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah Wyse, Thomas R. Etherington, Philip E. Hulme
Summary: Pines (genus Pinus) are commonly cultivated for forestry purposes, but their rapid spread from plantations can cause substantial weed problems in many regions. Limited knowledge exists on the factors driving this spread, emphasizing the need for assessments across heterogeneous landscapes. Understanding the variables influencing pine establishment can inform management tools to protect vulnerable ecosystems from invasion.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Felicia Kueh Tai, David E. Pattemore, Mateusz Jochym, Jacqueline R. Beggs, Grant L. Northcott, Ashley N. Mortensen
Summary: Honey bees are commonly used for pesticide risk assessments, but this approach may underestimate risk to non-target species. A study found that a solitary ground-nesting bee, L. paahaumaa, was more sensitive to imidacloprid compared to honey bees, highlighting the need for more comparative toxicity studies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Xuezheng Zong, Xiaorui Tian, Xianli Wang
Summary: Climate change has caused longer fire seasons and more intense wildfires worldwide, leading to significant economic and environmental impacts. A study conducted in Southwest China evaluated the effectiveness of different fuel treatment designs in mitigating wildfire risk under varying fire severity conditions. The results showed that fuel treatments were effective in reducing risk under low and normal fire severity scenarios, but their effectiveness was limited under high fire severity conditions.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jian Peng, Xiaoyu Wang, Huining Zheng, Zihan Xu
Summary: This study developed an index system to evaluate the trade-off between grain production service and water purification service in the Dongting Lake Basin. The results showed that converting cropland with high nitrogen output into forest land can minimize this trade-off.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Francois Chiron, Romain Lorrilliere, Carmen Bessa-Gomes, Piotr Tryjanowski, Joan Casanelles-Abella, Lauri Laanisto, Ana Leal, Anskje Van Mensel, Marco Moretti, Babette Muyshondt, Ulo Niinemets, Marta Alos Orti, Pedro Pinho, Roeland Samson, Nicolas Deguines
Summary: In cities, green areas play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, and the heterogeneity of land cover is an important factor. The relationship between area and heterogeneity affects the richness of bird species in urban green areas, with urban avoider species benefiting from large and heterogeneous patches.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Aleksandra Lis, Karolina Zalewska, Pawel Iwankowski, Katarzyna Betkier, Paulina Bilska, Viktoriia Dudar, Aleksandra L. Lagiewka
Summary: Appleton's prospect-refuge theory suggests that the presence of dense vegetation, topography, and people in a park can influence the safety and privacy felt by visitors in different ways. This study aimed to understand the relationship between observation point height, vegetation location, presence of other people, and perceived privacy and safety. The results showed that flat or lower ground without the presence of others was considered the safest, while landscapes higher up with dense vegetation and no other people were rated highest in terms of privacy. The findings have practical implications in terms of providing privacy without compromising safety.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jianting Zhao, Guibo Sun, Chris Webster
Summary: This study developed a geospatial database to document the locations and urban environments of pandemic-induced street experiments on a global scale, and conducted quantitative analysis based on spatial and temporal visualizations. The study aims to enhance comparability of built environment indicators between cities and provide a robust foundation for future research on tactical urbanism.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Huaqing Wang, Louis G. Tassinary
Summary: This study investigated the influence of urban greenspace spatial morphology on non-communicable diseases and found that neighborhoods with more connected, aggregated, coherent, and complex-shaped greenspace had a lower prevalence of these diseases. Such associations were mediated by air pollution and physical inactivity. The results suggest that the spatial morphology of designed urban greenspace plays a significant role in neighborhood health.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Chiwei Xiao, Yi Wang, Mingyan Yan, Jeffrey Chiwuikem Chiaka
Summary: Regional integration initiatives, such as cross-border transportation corridors, have significant impacts on land use changes and landscape patterns. This study examines the China-Laos Railway as a case study to evaluate the extent and significance of these impacts. Using land-use data and geospatial analysis, the study quantifies and compares the effects of the railway on land use changes within a buffer zone along the corridor.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Review
Ecology
Astrid Zabel, Mara-Magdalena Hausler
Summary: Developing a green infrastructure is an important environmental policy goal in many countries around the world. Different countries have different requirements on the spatial allocation of conservation sites for green infrastructure. Price-type and procedural instruments are commonly used, but the utilization of incentive mechanisms that internalize the benefit of clustering is relatively low. There is a need for more studies on incentive mechanisms and green infrastructure policies in the global South.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Timothy Fraser, Olivia Feeley, Andres Ridge, Ava Cervini, Vincent Rago, Kelly Gilmore, Gianna Worthington, Ilana Berliavsky
Summary: This study examines the inequality of social infrastructure in Boston, finding significant racial and income disparities in access. These disparities have implications for the health and resilience of neighborhoods.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Yutian Lu, Running Chen, Bin Chen, Jiayu Wu
Summary: The inequitable distribution of urban green spaces has become a significant concern, with variations found between cities in different development stages, and socioeconomic factors playing a crucial role in the spatial equity of urban green spaces.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Di Chen, Jie Yin, Chia-Pin Yu, Shengjing Sun, Charlotte Gabel, John D. Spengler
Summary: Observational and experimental studies have shown that exposure to greenness is beneficial for long-term health and well-being. However, more evidence is needed regarding the short-term health impacts of nearby nature in urban areas. This study used immersive virtual reality technology to investigate how transitions between built and natural environments affect urban residents. Results showed that transitioning from built to natural environments led to reductions in negative mood and transient anxiety, while transitions from natural to built environments had the opposite effect. Additionally, participants showed more emotional responses to nature through physiological measures. The study also highlighted the influence of contextual factors, such as physical health conditions, stress levels, experience with nature, and growth environments, on stress recovery. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence supporting the promotion of nearby nature in urban built environments.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Daniele Codato, Francesca Peroni, Massimo De Marchi
Summary: This study examines climate justice in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR), highlighting the multiple injustices caused by oil extraction activities. Using spatial analysis, the study shows that the EAR has been a major producer of oil since 1972, leading to environmental impacts such as oil spills and pollution. The results emphasize the need to include these territories in climate justice discussions and promote the rights to a non-toxic environment.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jingli Yan, Wendy Y. Chen, Zixiao Zhang, Wenxing Zhao, Min Liu, Shan Yin
Summary: Vegetation barriers are an effective strategy in urban planning to mitigate traffic-induced air pollution and reduce exposure. This study uses field measurements and numerical modeling to show that constructing vegetation barriers with short bushes can effectively reduce PM2.5 pollution in open-road environments, while higher coverage of tall bushes may worsen the pollution.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)