Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Prodyut Anand, Prodyut Bhattacharya
Summary: Recent rapid economic and infrastructure growth in India has led to degraded environmental conditions, especially in congested urban areas. Urban green spaces (UGSs) are recognized as vital for improving environmental qualities. A study in Delhi, India assessed residents' perceptions of UGSs ecosystem services. The majority of respondents were aware of and valued the benefits of UGSs, with a focus on improving urban microclimates and environmental quality. The findings from this research provide insights for urban planners and developers to consider residents' expectations when designing UGSs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Luis Alberto Bertolucci Paes, Barbara Stolte Bezerra, Daniel Jugend, Fabiana Liar Agudo
Summary: This paper explores how the alignment of circular bioeconomy (CBE) principles can support urban ecosystem (UE) services, proposing an adaptive theoretical framework based on qualitative and comparative analysis of current scientific literature. The framework presents itself as a tool to guide further research in the field, facilitating the identification of trade-offs, benefits, and co-benefits, and represents a step towards generalization and reducing uncertainties and utopian notions that shape the CBE.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andresa Ledo Marques, Angelica Tanus Benatti Alvim, Joerg Schroeder
Summary: The effects of climate change on urban areas are negative and cities need to adapt to these impacts. However, there is a lack of structured analysis on the contribution of ecosystem services in urban planning and climate change adaptation. This study reviewed the literature and found a growing scientific interest in the subject, interdisciplinary research, the use of different evaluation methods, and a systemic perspective on sustainability.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marcus Hedblom, Anne-Caroline Prevot, Axelle Gregoire
Summary: Urban greenery is important for human health, resilient and sustainable cities, and biodiversity. However, urban sprawl and densification have reduced access and quality of urban greenery. Urban planners, architects, landscape architects, and urban ecologists have different views on nature in cities. Science fiction movies often ignore nature in their depictions of future cities and do not show innovative ways of including nature in cityscapes. Collaborating with SF artists, urban designers, and urban ecologists can help integrate nature into depictions of future cities.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Aamir Mehmood Shah, Gengyuan Liu, Zhaoman Huo, Qing Yang, Wen Zhang, Fanxin Meng, Lin Yao, Sergio Ulgiati
Summary: This study applies the Emergy Accounting method to assess the cost and benefit of street trees in urban green infrastructure. It establishes a framework to assign environmental value to different types of services provided by urban forests. The study evaluates the services and dis-services of the street ecosystem in Beijing, and suggests improvements for better management practices.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jessi J. Drew-Smythe, Yvonne C. Davila, Christopher M. McLean, Matthew C. Hingee, Megan L. Murray, Jonathan K. Webb, Daniel W. Krix, Brad R. Murray
Summary: The planting of trees is crucial for urban greening and climate change adaptation. Urban trees provide various ecosystem services, but also pose risks such as infrastructure damage and injury. A survey in eastern Australia found that residents highly value the benefits of urban trees, but are concerned about their potential harm.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Stefano Salata
Summary: Urban flooding is a major problem for cities due to climate change, but empirical knowledge of how cities handle rainfall events is limited. This study aims to integrate two types of spatial ecosystem modeling to gain a better understanding of flooding phenomena and the vulnerability to different types of rain events. The results will be analyzed and used to understand the biophysical complexity of Izmir's Metropolitan City in Turkey. The findings highlight the need for continuous progress in ecosystem modeling to interpret and improve the performance of urban systems.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Luiz H. David, Sara M. Pinho, Feni Agostinho, Jesaias Costa, Maria Celia Portella, Karel J. Keesman, Fabiana Garcia
Summary: Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines the advantages of aquaculture and hydroponics. It mimics the natural biological process and is considered a viable alternative for urban regions with limited agricultural land and water resources. This study uses emergy synthesis to assess the sustainability of urban aquaponics farms in Brazil, focusing on the materials used and ecosystem services provided. Results show that the choice of materials greatly influences the energy demand, and aquaponics systems have more efficient feeding management compared to traditional aquaculture. The inclusion of ecosystem services highlights the educational and tourism potential of aquaponics.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lauren E. O'Brien, Rachael E. Urbanek, James D. Gregory
Summary: The recent sprawl of urbanization in the Eastern U.S. has made landscapes vulnerable to degradation. Urban forests have been presented as a method to ameliorate human and environmental health in metropolitan environments. This study highlights the ecological functions and human benefits of urban forests and emphasizes the importance of incorporating trees into city design for mitigating environmental impacts.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anne B. Christianson, Rebecca Montgomery, Forrest Fleischman, Kristen C. Nelson
Summary: Ecosystem-based adaptation programs aim to use ecosystem services to help vulnerable human communities adapt to climate change impacts. Limited studies have examined the outcomes of these programs on wildlife. This study found that ecosystem-based adaptation programs positively influence participants' conservation values, perceptions, and behaviors, but wildlife disservices emerged as a significant factor affecting adaptation outcomes and biodiversity conservation co-benefits.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Solhanlle Bonilla-Duarte, Victor Gomez-Valenzuela, Alma-Liz de la Mora, Agustin Garcia-Garcia
Summary: This research study constructed a forest cover sustainability index based on interviews with residents, identifying Gazcue as having the highest value due to factors like job stability, medium-high income, and property ownership. Urban forest planning in cities should consider tree species, design, and a legal framework to address territorial sustainability challenges and contribute to resilience and mitigation of climate change impacts.
Article
Ecology
Sergio Alvarez, Jose R. Soto, Francisco J. Escobedo, John Lai, Abu S. M. G. Kibria, Damian C. Adams
Summary: The study highlights the importance of considering public preferences and values when designing urban forest policies, as there are significant differences in willingness-to-pay for various forest structure attributes among different value groups. Using tree functional traits rather than species taxa can lead to more effective decision-making, and address the diverse values held by the public.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andrew K. Koeser, Richard J. Hauer, Deborah R. Hilbert, Robert J. Northrop, Hunter Thorn, Drew C. McLean, Allyson B. Salisbury
Summary: As urban development increases in density, the space for urban trees becomes more constrained. The study provides guidelines for creating sufficient space for urban trees and minimizing infrastructure damage and associated cost savings.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rong-Zhi Guo, Yao-Bin Song, Ming Dong
Summary: This paper reviewed the progress of ecosystem disservices research based on peer-reviewed literatures using bibliometric method and knowledge graph visualization technology. The limitations and shortcomings of current ecosystem disservice research were discussed, and recommendations for future research were provided.
Article
Environmental Studies
Patrick J. Likongwe, Frank B. Chimaimba, Sosten S. Chiotha, Treaser Mandevu, Lois Kamuyango, Hesekia Garekae
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of community involvement in urban green space management on ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation, finding a diverse range of tree species in two hills within Zomba city, with higher tree density and significant increase in green cover on Sadzi hill.
Article
Agronomy
Carolina Gomez-Navarro, Diane E. Pataki, Eric R. Pardyjak, David R. Bowling
Summary: Land cover characteristics, such as turfgrass cover and tree shading, have an impact on urban microclimates. While tree shading is associated with higher spatial variability of temperature during the day, turfgrass cover is associated with higher spatial variability at night, with a cooling effect. Mixed tree and grass landscapes may help alleviate the urban heat island effect.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephen J. Livesley, Valentina Marchionni, Pui Kwan Cheung, Edoardo Daly, Diane E. Pataki
Summary: Water smart cities are utilizing irrigation and misting techniques, along with alternative water resources like rainwater tanks and recycled sewage wastewater, to cope with extreme heat and drought with minimal impact on drinking water supplies.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. J. Kotze, H. Setala
Summary: In urban environments, recalcitrant woody material decomposes slower while labile litter decomposes faster in open urban habitats. This may be due to the reduced abundance of saprotrophic fungi in urban environments and environmental factors favoring bacterial activity in open habitats.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marju Prass, Satu Ramula, Miia Jauni, Heikki Setala, D. Johan Kotze
Summary: The study found that the invasive species Lupinus polyphyllus may decrease plant species richness, but the ecological impact caused by this invader does not significantly change or accumulate with time since invasion.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Marina Alberti, Tianzhe Wang
Summary: Explicit characterisation of urban landscape complexity is crucial for understanding biodiversity patterns and detecting the underlying social and ecological processes. Urban environments exhibit variable heterogeneity and connectivity, which are influenced by different historical contingencies and affect community assembly at different scales. The multidimensional nature of urban disturbance and co-occurrence of multiple stressors can result in nonlinear responses in populations and communities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haoxin Tan, Xinxin Liu, Shan Yin, Chang Zhao, Lantian Su, Xiaoxiao Li, Muhammad Khalid, Heikki Setala, Nan Hui
Summary: Microorganisms in urban greenspaces are important for ecosystem services and human health, but are affected by anthropogenic disturbance. Our study found that microorganisms in contaminated roadside greenspaces can influence immune-mediated diseases, with suburban areas showing the highest potential adverse health effects. Urban greenblue infrastructure was correlated with a more diverse microbial community and potential health benefits, while grey infrastructure tended to homogenize microbial communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Heikki Setala, Katalin Szlavecz, Jamie D. Pullen, John D. Parker, Yumei Huang, Chih-Han Chang
Summary: The impact of acute resource pulses on community structure and ecosystem processes is not well understood. The mass emergence of periodical cicadas provides an opportunity to study this impact. Adding adult cicada bodies to the soil had no significant effect on tree performance, but it did change the composition of soil nematodes and increase the abundance of bacterial- and fungal-feeding nematodes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maija Taka, Nora Sillanpaa, Tero Niemi, Lassi Warsta, Teemu Kokkonen, Heikki Setala
Summary: The study reveals the spatio-temporal patterns of stormwater metal concentrations and loads in urbanized and rural catchments, with a seasonal relationship between catchment urban intensity and metal export. The study also emphasizes the importance of catchment-scale management designs to address diffuse pollutant sources in urban areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Changyi Lu, D. Johan Kotze, Heikki M. Setala
Summary: The study found that plant functional type influences soil nitrogen dynamics in urban greenspace soils, potentially due to its effect on earthworm biomass. Evergreen trees have the highest ability to promote nitrogen accumulation and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in urban parks. Additionally, the age of the park affects nitrogen accumulation under trees and lawns, highlighting the role of vegetation in influencing soil nitrogen dynamics in urban greenspaces.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Haoxin Tan, Xinxin Liu, Shan Yin, Chang Zhao, Lantian Su, Song Wang, Muhammad Khalid, Heikki Setala, Nan Hui
Summary: Heavy metals (HMs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in roadside soils have detrimental effects on soil microorganisms and public health. In this study, soil samples were collected from 84 roadside locations in Shanghai to assess the levels of HMs, TPHs, and their impact on bacterial and fungal communities. Results showed that HMs exceeded background levels, while TPH levels were comparable to unpolluted sites. Bacterial networks decreased significantly under HM stress, while fungal networks remained unchanged. This suggests that harmful fungi may pose threats to the health of urban dwellers, despite the stable response of fungal communities to environmental stresses.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Brian C. Verrelli, Marina Alberti, Simone Des Roches, Nyeema C. Harris, Andrew P. Hendry, Marc T. J. Johnson, Amy M. Savage, Anne Charmantier, Kiyoko M. Gotanda, Lynn Govaert, Lindsay S. Miles, L. Ruth Rivkin, Kristin M. Winchell, Kristien I. Brans, Cristian Correa, Sarah E. Diamond, Ben Fitzhugh, Nancy B. Grimm, Sara Hughes, John M. Marzluff, Jason Munshi-South, Carolina Rojas, James S. Santangelo, Christopher J. Schell, Jennifer A. Schweitzer, Marta Szulkin, Mark C. Urban, Yuyu Zhou, Carly Ziter
Summary: Research on the evolutionary ecology of urban areas reveals the impact of human-induced evolutionary changes on biodiversity and ecosystem services, requiring interdisciplinary collaborations and methodological advances.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Heikki Setala, Zhong Jie Sun, Jun Qiang Zheng, Changyi Lu, Ming Ming Cui, Shi Jie Han
Summary: Climate warming is expected to affect terrestrial biogeochemical cycles by altering plant litter input to soils. However, the mechanisms behind the priming effect (PE) are not well understood due to limited research. Our long-term field study shows that increased litter supply can significantly influence soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Marleena Hagner, Ida Pohjanlehto, Visa Nuutinen, Heikki Setala, Sannakajsa Velmala, Eero Vesterinen, Taina Pennanen, Riitta Lemola, Krista Peltoniemi
Summary: Intensified arable farming leads to reduced biodiversity and functional groups of soil biota. Organic farming with slurry fertilization and long crop rotation cycles promotes soil fauna diversity. However, faunal responses to agricultural practices may vary between northern and southern latitudes due to differences in soil types, climate conditions, and management intensity.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muhammad Khalid, Xinxin Liu, Bangxiao Zheng, Lantian Su, D. Johan Kotze, Heikki Setala, Mehran Ali, Asad Rehman, Saeed-ur-Rahman, Nan Hui
Summary: To address global antibiotic resistance, a one-health concept recognizing the interdependency between humans, animals, and the environment is necessary. A study using the GeoChip 5.0 strategy examined the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in urban parks and reference forests across three climatic regions. Multidrug resistance genes (MRGs) were the most abundant and accounted for 90% of all ARGs detected. The study found that ARG profiles differed between urban parks and climatic regions, with the tropical region having a higher relative abundance of ARGs compared to the boreal and temperate regions. Additionally, urban parks had a significantly higher abundance of ARGs compared to forests.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)