Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jianli Zhang, Ting Zhang, Lihua Pu, Lingbin Yan, Guojun Cai, Pengli Chen, Tao Yang, Chen Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the hydrological function of litter layers in different plant communities in the Karst peak-cluster depressions area in southwest China. The results show that the broad-leaved forest plant community has the strongest function in intercepting and regulating precipitation.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Qi Wang, Jianping Guo
Summary: Canopy interception plays a significant role in effective rainfall for plant growth. While previous studies have mainly focused on trees, this study examines the impact of leaf area index (LAI) and rainfall characteristics on soybean canopy interception. The results indicate that LAI, rainfall intensity, and duration are the key factors affecting canopy interception. A linear relationship is observed between canopy interception and LAI, as well as between canopy interception and rainfall amount.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qianyu Chang, Simon Zwieback, Ben DeVries, Aaron Berg
Summary: This study evaluated the sensitivity of ALOS-2 data to vegetation in the Northwest Territories of Canada, finding a strong sensitivity of the VH/VV ratio to aboveground biomass and LAI of dwarf birch. Results showed that dwarf birch intercepted a significant portion of incoming rainfall in the watershed, highlighting the importance of shrub rainfall interception for regional water balance. These findings demonstrate the untapped potential of L-band SAR observations for quantifying the impact of shrub expansion on Arctic ecosystem processes.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Mewcha Amha Gebremedhin, Maciek W. Lubczynski, Ben H. P. Maathuis, Mostafa Gomaa Daoud, Daniel Teka
Summary: Rainfall interception loss (E-I) is an important variable in hydrological studies. This study used Earth Observation Satellites (EOS) to estimate the daily variability of E-I in the data-scarce Zamra catchment in Ethiopia. The results showed that this method is effective for quantifying E-I in large data-scarce areas.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shanchao Zhao, Xin-Jun Zheng, Lihe Yin, Yugang Wang
Summary: The middle elevation forest of the Tianshan Mountains, dominated by Picea schrenkiana, plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and water conservation in arid Northwestern China. This study investigated the allocation of precipitation in tree crowns and discussed the trade-off between water and carbon. The results showed that crown interception of rainfall was controlled by trunk diameter, crown height-to-width ratio, and leaf area index. With greater arbor biological carbon density, crown interception ratio initially increased rapidly but then stabilized.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Harby Mostafa, Kowshik K. Saha, Nikos Tsoulias, Manuela Zude-Sasse
Summary: In this study, LiDAR-based 3D point clouds of cherry trees were analyzed to estimate the impact of leaf area on water interception. The results showed that rainfall intensity and leaf area significantly affected water interception, and an equation was proposed to describe their relationship. This research is important for precise irrigation management in commercial fruit production.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahsan Raza, Hella Ahrends, Muhammad Habib-ur-Rahman, Hubert Hueging, Thomas Gaiser
Summary: Water erosion is a soil degradation process affected by factors such as rainfall intensity, slope gradient, vegetation cover, soil characteristics, and management practices. This study used Taguchi's fractional factorial experiment design to investigate the interactions between these factors and soil erosion processes. The results showed that rainfall intensity had the highest contribution to sediment yield, and multiple linear regression models were developed to predict soil erosion at the sub-field scale. The findings suggest that Taguchi design can be reliably used for soil erosion modeling and risk assessments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Sergio Miguel Lopez-Ramirez, Alex Mayer, Leonardo Saenz, Lyssette Elena Munoz-Villers, Friso Holwerda, Nathaniel Looker, Christoph Schurz, Z. Carter Berry, Robert Manson, Heidi Asbjornsen, Randall Kolka, Daniel Geissert, Carlos Lezama
Summary: Tropical montane cloud forests face threats despite their ability to maintain high dry-season baseflow. Conservation policies, including payments for hydrological services, have been implemented, but more work is needed to improve modeling tools' applicability in tropical contexts. This study calibrated and validated an improved version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model for the Tropics (SWAT-T), showing satisfactory simulation of streamflow but highlighting the need for improvements in rainfall interception and deep subsurface flow parametrization.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Daniela Biondi, Aldo Greco, Davide Luciano De Luca
Summary: This paper introduces a new storm-centered approach for estimating ARF in the Calabria region, which shows differences in ARF reduction between convective precipitation events and frontal systems. The storm-centered methodology could be valuable for flood defense in early warning systems and engineering design of hydraulic infrastructures.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Hyo In Yoon, Jaewoo Kim, Jung Eek Son
Summary: This study aimed to develop an evaluation method for optimizing the lighting design of UV-B radiation in plant factories. The results showed that UV-B radiation significantly enhanced the bioactive compound contents and antioxidant capacity in kale plants. The study also analyzed different lighting system variables and found that adding UV-B LED as the optimal lighting design could improve the production of bioactive compounds in commercial plant factories.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jens Georg Peter Diller, Frederic Hueftlein, Darleen Luecker, Heike Feldhaar, Christian Laforsch
Summary: Invasive species pose a significant threat to native ecosystems by reducing biodiversity through competition with native species and the release of novel substances. Allelochemicals released by invasive terrestrial plants can affect not only plants but also other organisms in terrestrial ecosystems. When these plants grow in riparian zones, the allelochemicals may leach into aquatic ecosystems, causing toxic effects and interfering with biotic interactions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Huang, Xinyue Xiang, Luyue Jin, Yi He
Summary: In this study, dark-field microscopy was used to investigate the kinetics of single Cu2O microparticles for NO2 removal. Unexpectedly, an oscillating redox reaction between Cu2O microparticles and NO2 was observed. This finding provides a new avenue for studying structure-performance relationships.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lubaina Soni, Christopher Szota, Tim D. Fletcher, Claire Farrell
Summary: Green roofs are designed to reduce stormwater runoff and restore vegetation cover in cities. This study investigated whether lower plant density or redirecting rainwater to plants on green roofs could reduce drought stress without reducing rainfall retention. The results showed that reducing plant density can reduce drought stress without reducing rainfall retention, and installing runoff zones on green roofs can also reduce plant drought stress, albeit at a small cost of reduced rainfall retention.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lichao Huang, David A. Ratkowsky, Cang Hui, Johan Gielis, Meng Lian, Weihao Yao, Qiying Li, Liuyue Zhang, Peijian Shi
Summary: This paper measures the inequality of leaf area distribution per plant (ILAD) by comparing four inequality indices. The results show that these indices are closely related and can be used interchangeably to quantify ILAD.
Article
Agronomy
Tiangang Yin, Bruce D. Cook, Douglas C. Morton
Summary: In this study, a data processing workflow named PVlad was developed to estimate leaf area index (LAI) and voxel-based leaf area density (LAD) using apparent reflectance from airborne laser scanning (ALS) point clouds. This workflow reduces the need for field measurements and captures structural differences in forests of different ages and conditions.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ebadat Ghanbari Parmehr, Marco Amati
Summary: The study compares point clouds produced by UAV-photogrammetry and -LiDAR in an urban park, along with estimated tree canopy parameters. Results show a high correlation between UAV-photogrammetry and -LiDAR point clouds, with R-2 values exceeding 99.54%, and the estimated tree canopy parameters showing correlations above 95%.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tahia Devisscher, Camilo Ordonez-Barona, Cynnamon Dobbs, Mariana Dias Baptista, Nuria Monica Navarro, Luis Alberto Orozco Aguilar, Jose Felix Cercas Perez, Yolanny Rojas Mancebo, Francisco Javier Escobedo
Summary: This study examines the views of stakeholders in Latin America and Caribbean on urban forests and their management and governance. The findings show that stakeholders have different perspectives on public participation and operational issues. The study also highlights the demand for educational opportunities in the region, such as arboricultural certification.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jasmine K. Thom, Tim D. Fletcher, Stephen J. Livesley, Vaughn Grey, Christopher Szota
Summary: Passive irrigation systems that use stormwater runoff can significantly increase initial tree growth, enhance transpiration, and reduce drought stress.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jasmine K. Thom, Stephen J. Livesley, Tim D. Fletcher, Claire Farrell, Stefan K. Arndt, Janina Konarska, Christopher Szota
Summary: Rainfall in cities can lead to large amounts of stormwater runoff, which can degrade waterways. Using runoff to irrigate trees has the potential to reduce runoff and manage stormwater, but the stochastic nature of rainfall may expose trees to drought stress. To be successful in passive irrigation systems, tree species should have high transpiration rates, avoid drought, and recover well after drought. A glasshouse experiment in Melbourne assessed 13 urban tree species against these behaviors and identified Tristaniopsis laurina as the best species for reducing runoff and avoiding drought stress.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dave Kendal, Camilo Ordonez, Melanie Davern, Richard A. Fuller, Dieter F. Hochuli, Rodney van der Ree, Stephen J. Livesley, Caragh G. Threlfall
Summary: The success of urban forest management strategies is heavily reliant on public support and engagement with urban trees. Understanding public opinions on urban trees, including satisfaction and trust in urban tree managers, is crucial. However, these concepts and the mechanisms behind the formation of public opinions have been largely unexplored. This study examines the factors influencing satisfaction with urban trees and their management, as well as trust in the agencies responsible for urban tree management, using a survey conducted in southeastern Australia. The findings reveal that while general opinions about trees are overwhelmingly positive, satisfaction and trust ratings vary. The study identifies two distinct pathways influencing satisfaction: one associated with beliefs about the presence of trees in cities, and another linked to trust in urban tree management. At the local government level, satisfaction is negatively affected by low levels of cultural diversity and tree canopy cover, but not socioeconomic disadvantage. Improving the quality of ecological function of trees and promoting community engagement can enhance satisfaction and trust, by reinforcing positive beliefs and dispelling negative ones. The study highlights the importance of considering the complex and diverse opinions of the public in decision-making processes, in order to meet the growing expectations for urban forests.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Serene Ho, Mariana Dias Baptista, Darryn McEvoy
Summary: Urban centres in the Pacific region are experiencing rapid growth and are characterized by complex risks and vulnerabilities. Urban informal settlement communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change and impacts, and urban climate planning needs to prioritize their needs for equitable strategies. This paper introduces a community profiling method that collects contextual data for climate action planning in informal settlements in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The method offers insights into community vulnerabilities and can inform locally driven, climate resilient urban planning and development in other Global South contexts.
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
C. Farrell, S. J. Livesley, S. K. Arndt, L. Beaumont, H. Burley, D. Ellsworth, M. Esperon-Rodriguez, T. D. Fletcher, R. Gallagher, A. Ossola, S. A. Power, R. Marchin, J. P. Rayner, P. D. Rymer, L. Staas, C. Szota, N. S. G. Williams, M. Leishman
Summary: Impervious surfaces in modern cities cause various issues such as heat absorption, excessive runoff, limited biodiversity habitat, and poor air quality. Future climate change is expected to worsen these problems. Green infrastructure, through the selection of suitable plants, can help mitigate these issues. However, plant selection faces challenges. Therefore, researchers have proposed a new framework based on plant traits and natural distribution to infer plant performance for green infrastructure. A case study in Australian cities is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Bryant C. Scharenbroch, Tara L. Trammell, Anna Paltseva, Stephen J. Livesley, Jill Edmondson
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pui Kwan Cheung, C. Y. Jim, Nigel Tapper, Kerry A. Nice, Stephen J. Livesley
Summary: Backyards play important roles for individual households by providing a private and safe green space, and turf irrigation can significantly improve thermal conditions in backyards.
Article
Forestry
Dan Du, Stephen J. Livesley, Stefan K. Arndt, Camille Truong, Rebecca E. Miller
Summary: A study found that the use of compost tea did not have a positive effect on the growth and root mycorrhizal colonization of container-grown trees. This suggests that compost tea may not be beneficial for tree growth in a nursery setting, and further research is needed to investigate its potential benefits in urban landscapes.
Article
Cultural Studies
Marco Amati, Quentin Stevens, Salvador Rueda
Summary: This article discusses the implementation of Superblocks in the city of Barcelona and the role of play in urban planning as a dynamic process to provide new sources of open space. It analyzes the capacity of Superblocks to transform the urban mobility and public space models. The article also examines the use of different forms of play in the Poblenou area to increase the legitimacy of public participation. Furthermore, it explores the contingent role of play in urban socialization and shaping the processes of implementing Superblocks in urban planning.
Article
Architecture
Marco Amati, Roderick D. Buchanan
Summary: Oscar Oeser, a polymathic social psychologist and the founding Professor of Psychology at the University of Melbourne, played a significant role in urban and rural planning. His joint project with Brian Lewis, the Head of Architecture at Melbourne, aimed to survey and re-imagine the Prahran suburb, showcasing Oeser's sensitivity to the human elements in planning. However, the project's impact was limited due to selective data co-option by local politicians and public servants for a pragmatic modernist agenda. Oeser's subsequent planning work focused on innovative approaches to rural communities and indigenous housing.
PLANNING PERSPECTIVES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marco Amati, Johann Tiede, Qian (Chayn) Sun, Kaveh Deilami, Joe Hurley, Andrew Fox, Julie Dickson
Summary: Collecting and managing individual tree data is crucial for green sustainability strategies. However, it is challenging and costly to collect data on trees located on private land. This study explores the potential of a supervised machine learning algorithm as a cost-efficient method to understand tree sizes and locations on private land, and discusses the benefits of this approach for sustainable urban greening. The precision and recall of detecting the urban forest are also reported.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Article
Geography
Siqin Wang, Wenhui Cai, Qian (Chayn) Sun, Catherine Martin, Shilpi Tewari, Joe Hurley, Marco Amati, Matt Duckham, Suelynn Choy
Summary: Embracing multiculturalism is significant for enhancing cultural identity, social cohesion, and harmony in many migrant-receiving countries. This study examines the nationwide ethnic diversity in Australia from 2001 to 2021 and explores its relationship with neighbourhood features of ethnic settlement, providing practical implications for urban planning and design.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Cristina Hernandez-Santin, Marco Amati, Sarah Bekessy, Cheryl Desha
Summary: Built environment practitioners are seeking options and opportunities to address the biodiversity emergency. Biodiversity Inclusive Design (BID) is an approach that aims to promote functional ecological systems, enable the persistence of species in the built environment, and reconnect people with nature. However, projects that prioritize biodiversity are limited and often initiated by individual champions rather than being common practice. This study systematically analyzes 15 design frameworks compatible with BID to further develop the concept. Through thematic analysis, the study identifies re-emerging concepts and themes underlying BID and positions it as a set of parallel processes that give a voice to biodiversity within the planning and design process. The paper formalizes BID as a practice and identifies three core dimensions of design action and nine design principles.