Article
Environmental Studies
J. Mohd-Azlan, S. Conway, T. J. P. Travers, M. J. Lawes
Summary: This study investigates the potential native insect pollinators of oil palm in northern Sarawak using small high conservation value (HCV) forests and examines the effect of oil palm-dominated landscapes on the species assemblages of six potential pollinator insect orders. The results show differences in species composition and abundance between forest and oil palm plantations, with a significant number of species unique to oil palm. The study also suggests that even small forest patches in oil palm landscapes may provide native pollinator pressure, contrary to prevailing opinions.
Article
Ecology
Maurizio Fraissinet, Leonardo Ancillotto, Antonello Migliozzi, Silvia Capasso, Luciano Bosso, Dan E. Chamberlain, Danilo Russo
Summary: This study utilized longitudinal bird monitoring data to analyze the occurrence trends of urban birds in Naples. The species richness of breeding birds remained stable over time, but there were changes in the composition of bird species associated with different types of land cover.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nahid Khan, Manoj Kumar Jhariya
Summary: The study explores the floristic diversity, biomass, carbon stock, and CO2 mitigation in urban areas. Tree density ranged from 170 to 240 stems ha(-1), saplings ranged from 0 to 50 ha(-1), and seedlings ranged from 30 to 420 ha(-1). The ecological functions performed by urban vegetation varied across directions and were highest towards the east and least at the south. Certain tree species, such as Mangifera indica and Shorea robusta, contribute significantly to biomass, carbon storage, and CO2 mitigation.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Monicah Mbiba, Cynthia Mazhude, Christo Fabricius, Herve Fritz, Justice Muvengwi
Summary: The study in urban settlements in Harare, Zimbabwe, showed that bird species richness and diversity decreased with increasing settlement density, while bird functional diversity and abundance remained relatively constant. Water features and vegetation were identified as significant environmental predictors of bird functional diversity. This suggests that despite the loss in bird species richness, broad ecosystem functionality may still be maintained across urban settlement density gradients.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ravel R. Zorzal, Pedro Diniz, Rayane de Oliveira, Charles Duca
Summary: Our study found that the size and habitat heterogeneity of urban greenspaces are positively related to the taxonomic diversity of birds, while phylogenetic diversity and functional dispersion are not associated with urban greenspace features. Urban greenspaces are dominated by common urban exploiter and non-native species, and large and quiet greenspaces favor forest-dependent species.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feilun Wu, Yuanchi Ha, Andrea Weiss, Meidi Wang, Jeffrey Letourneau, Shangying Wang, Nan Luo, Shuquan Huang, Charlotte T. Lee, Lawrence A. David, Lingchong You
Summary: Spatial partitioning modulates the dynamics of microbial communities, promoting the persistence of populations with negative interactions and suppressing those with positive interactions. An intermediate level of partitioning maximizes the overall diversity of the community.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Natthida Jantawong, Sameer Mukund Padhye, Supiyanit Maiphae
Summary: Urbanisation has a significant impact on both large and small ecosystems, including ponds, leading to changes in environmental parameters and affecting the biodiversity of organisms such as zooplankton. This study found that varying degrees of disturbance and environmental parameters influenced the species diversity of zooplankton, with rotifer and cladoceran species proposed as bioindicators for water quality and disturbance levels.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Thobeka Gumede, David A. Ehlers Smith, Samukelisiwe P. Ngcobo, Mbalenhle Sosibo, Yvette C. Ehlers Smith, Colleen T. Downs
Summary: Changes to natural environments resulting from human population growth pose a major threat to biodiversity. This study found that vegetation structure, patch size, and isolation distance significantly influenced avian communities, with reductions in forest patch size and complexity leading to decreased avian species richness and functional diversity. Additionally, increasing isolation distance had a negative impact on avian diversity.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jean-Marry Exantus, David Beaune, Frank Cezilly
Summary: The study assessed the impact of different types of urban green spaces on bird assemblages in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and found that urban agriculture and urban forest remnants have similar effects on protecting species diversity, with a negative correlation between species richness and the percentage of built habitat in the surrounding area.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Marta A. Jarzyna, Ignacio Quintero, Walter Jetz
Summary: This study documents variations in avian functional and phylogenetic diversity along major elevational gradients worldwide, revealing strong latitudinal differences. Assemblages in warm tropical lowlands and cold temperate highlands exhibit high functional overdispersion and distinctiveness, while tropical highlands and temperate lowlands show strong functional clustering and redundancy.
Article
Environmental Studies
Karen Coelho, Ashima Sood
Summary: This essay introduces the progress in urban studies in urban India during the millennial turn, analyzing the changes in disciplines, themes, and methodologies of urban research, and discussing the relationship between urban social science and critical urban studies.
Article
Environmental Studies
Hani Amir Aouissi, Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor, Mostefa Ababsa, Maria Bostenaru-Dan, Mahmoud Tourki, Zihad Bouslama
Summary: This study examines the relationship between avian diversity and urbanization, confirming the hypothesis that avian diversity decreases with urbanization. The results emphasize the importance of urban green spaces as biodiversity hotspots and advocate for their interconnection. The findings also address a significant lack of biodiversity data in the region, with relevance to other Mediterranean areas.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Samaneh Seifollahi-Aghmiuni, Zahra Kalantari, Gianluca Egidi, Luisa Gaburova, Luca Salvati
Summary: Climate change and landscape transformation have led to rapid expansion of peri-urban areas globally, resulting in land degradation and environmental degradation. This paper focuses on Southern Europe as a case study to examine the interactions between urbanization-driven factors and land degradation, highlighting the importance of socioeconomic drivers such as population growth and urban sprawl. It also suggests three key measures for future land management in peri-urban areas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mulin Zeng, Yu Bao, Zhitai Wang, Zongsheng Huang, Xintong Chen, Wenfei Wei, Xun Lin, Qin Li
Summary: This study explores the relationship between morphological characteristics of urban remnant mountains (URMs) and its plant species diversity using an indicator system. The results show that different morphological indicators are significantly correlated with plant species diversity indices. The influence of morphological characteristic indicators on plant diversity varies among different slope positions and slope directions. The effects on herb plant diversity are more significant. The findings suggest that URMs have complex three-dimensional characteristics that impact plant species diversity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kathryn A. O'Shaughnessy, Antony M. Knights, Stephen J. Hawkins, Mick E. Hanley, Paul Lunt, Richard C. Thompson, Louise B. Firth
Summary: Worldwide, natural habitats are being replaced by artificial structures due to urbanisation. Planning of such modifications should strive for environmental net gain that benefits biodiversity and ecosystems. Alpha (α) and gamma (γ) diversity are often used to assess 'impact' but are insensitive metrics. Our study shows that gamma-diversity indicates equivalency in biodiversity between natural and artificial habitats, but natural habitats support greater taxon (alpha) and functional richness. This challenges the commonly held view that urban ecosystems are more biologically homogenous than natural ecosystems and highlights the importance of using multiple metrics for assessing environmental net gain and biodiversity conservation goals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lyndal S. Hulse, Kenneth Beagley, William Ellis, Sean Fitzgibbon, Amber Gillett, Ben Barth, Amy Robbins, Michael Pyne, Rebecca Larkin, Stephen D. Johnston
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Biophysics
D. Adam, S. D. Johnston, L. Beard, V Nicolson, J. B. Gaughan, A. T. Lisle, S. FitzGibbon, B. J. Barth, A. Gillett, G. Grigg, W. Ellis
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Carmen R. B. da Silva, Cedric P. van den Berg, Nicholas D. Condon, Cynthia Riginos, Robbie S. Wilson, Karen L. Cheney
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Sport Sciences
Rodrigo Aquino, Christopher Carling, Jose Maia, Luiz H. Palucci Vieira, Robbie S. Wilson, Nicholas Smith, Rodrigo Almeida, Luiz Guilherme C. Goncalves, Carlos Augusto Kalva-Filho, Julio Garganta, Enrico F. Puggina
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS IN SPORT
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Robbie S. Wilson, Theodore P. Pavlic, Rebecca Wheatley, Amanda C. Niehaus, Ofir Levy
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Miranda Rew-Duffy, Skye F. Cameron, Natalie J. Freeman, Rebecca Wheatley, Jessica M. Latimer, Robbie S. Wilson
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Sport Sciences
Robbie S. Wilson, Nicholas M. A. Smith, Nicolau Melo de Souza, Felipe Arruda Moura
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Rebecca Wheatley, Theodore P. Pavlic, Ofir Levy, Robbie S. Wilson
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Sport Sciences
Robbie S. Wilson, Andrew H. Hunter, Thiago Camata, Charles S. P. Foster, Gabriella R. Sparkes, Felipe A. Moura, Paulo R. P. Santiago, Nicholas M. A. Smith
Summary: The study introduced and tested a protocol for measuring individual performance in small-sided soccer games, showing consistent and repeatable results across different groups of youth players. Players can achieve success by scoring goals or preventing their team from conceding goals, and a principal component analysis can help differentiate types of high performers. The design allows coaches and scouts to easily collect robust metrics of individual performance, with simulations available for applying the methodology to other team sports.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Andrew H. Hunter, Nicholas M. A. Smith, Thiago Camata, Mathew S. Crowther, Andrew Mather, Nicolau Melo Souza, Luiz Fernando Ramos-Silva, Nerylson Ferraz Pazetto, Felipe A. Moura, Robbie S. Wilson
Summary: The study proposed a testing protocol and normative data to evaluate kicking performance in youth players, aiming to reduce bias caused by physically developed players outperforming smaller ones. Results showed that kicking speed and accuracy were influenced by age, height, weight, and soccer-specific motor control ability. Suggestions were made to focus on motor control in training programs to improve kicking performance.
SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN FOOTBALL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon P. Lailvaux, Avdesh Mishra, Pooja Pun, Md Wasi Ul Kabirid, Robbie S. Wilson, Anthony Herrel, Md Tamjidul Hoque
Summary: A machine learning model was developed to accurately predict multivariate performance data from morphology alone, filling the missing data problem in large-scale phenotyping. The study found that phenotypic data alone can predict performance, and incorporating phylogeny did not improve model fit.
Article
Biophysics
Andrew H. Hunter, Theodore P. Pavlic, Michael J. Angilletta, Robbie S. Wilson
Summary: This study presents a model that takes shooting inaccuracy into account and predicts the probability of success for all shooting strategies. The research finds that the optimal shooting strategy varies for different types of goalkeepers.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Andrew H. Hunter, Nicholas M. A. Smith, Thiago Camata, Mathew S. Crowther, Andrew Mather, Felipe A. Moura, Paulo Roberto Pereira Santiago, Robbie S. Wilson
Summary: Research suggests that younger athletes born later in the year may be more technically skilled than their older peers, even though older athletes are often selected for elite training academies due to their physical development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCE & COACHING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Hannah Thomas, Skye F. Cameron, Hamish A. Campbell, Mariana A. Micheli-Campbell, Ellie C. Kirke, Rebecca Wheatley, Robbie S. Wilson
Summary: The northern quolls exhibit different adaptations to food resources in habitats of rocky escarpment and savanna woodland on mainland Australia and Groote Eylandt Island, highlighting the importance of managing threats such as feral predators and fire regimes to ensure population viability.
Article
Zoology
Benjamin J. Barth, Sean FitzGibbon, Amber Gillett, Robbie S. Wilson, Beth Moffitt, Geoffrey W. Pye, Dalene Adam, Harriet Preece, William A. Ellis
AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY
(2020)
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)