Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tomasz Noszczyk
Summary: This study evaluates the changes in the structure of green and blue spaces in Krakow, Poland over the past two decades. The results show a decline in the area of green spaces and an increase in the area of blue spaces. Meadows and pastures have experienced significant shrinkage, while forests and wooded areas have grown. These findings can provide valuable insights for sustainable governance strategies for urban green and blue spaces.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amanda Fernandes, Norun Hjertager Krog, Rosemary McEachan, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Jordi Julvez, Sandra Marquez, Montserrat de Castro, Jose Urquiza, Barbara Heude, Marina Vafeiadi, Regina Grazuleviciene, Remy Slama, Audrius Dedele, Gunn Marit Aasvang, Jorunn Evandt, Sandra Andrusaityte, Mariza Kampouri, Martine Vrijheid
Summary: Green space availability, accessibility, and use showed a social gradient that favored higher socioeconomic groups. However, there were no statistically significant associations between green space exposures and cognitive function outcomes in the overall study population. Living within 300 m of a major green space was associated with improved working memory in children from less deprived areas, while more time spent playing in green spaces was associated with better working memory in children with highly educated mothers. However, studying within 300 m of a major green space increased inattention scores in children from more deprived areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Roman Suligowski, Tadeusz Ciupa, Waldemar Cudny
Summary: This study presents a quantitative analysis of the spatial differentiation proportions of green, blue, and grey spaces in all Polish urban areas. The results show significant differences in urban spaces based on regions and sizes, providing insights for comparative analyses and sustainable development strategies. Understanding the quantity of different types of spaces in the urban landscape can influence the quality of local inhabitants' lives.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jan Machac, Jan Brabec, Arne Arnberger
Summary: This study revealed the preferences of residents in Liberec, Czech Republic, for nature-based and semi-natural urban infrastructure and recreational facilities. The results showed that most respondents preferred nature-based elements and enjoyed park infrastructure, while another group of respondents, primarily less educated men, disliked urban gardens and semi-natural streams. Based on these findings, the study recommends that spatial planners and green space managers prioritize the design and implementation of more nature-based elements in Liberec that align with residents' preferences.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
John D. Potter, Collin Brooks, Geoffrey Donovan, Chris Cunningham, Jeroen Douwes
Summary: Humans' encroachment into wild spaces has profound impacts on our relationship with nature, the survival of other species, pollution, and climate change. The benefits of being close to green and blue spaces are discussed, while the hazards of urban grey spaces are highlighted. The biodiversity hypothesis and the role of microbiota are emphasized, along with possible mechanisms of exposure through air, soil, and water. The importance of assessing exposure accurately and the need for implementing policies to restore environmental balance are also emphasized.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mengyi Liu, Ziliang Ye, Panpan He, Sisi Yang, Yanjun Zhang, Chun Zhou, Yuanyuan Zhang, Xiaoqin Gan, Xianhui Qin
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between residential green and blue spaces and the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The results indicated that the presence of more green and blue spaces, especially in larger buffer areas, was associated with a lower risk of developing CKD.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bianca Lopez, Christopher Kennedy, Christopher Field, Timon McPhearson
Summary: The study found that most respondents were concerned about lack of social distancing and crowded urban green spaces, which made them less likely to visit these spaces and visit them less frequently than before the pandemic. Additionally, differences in concerns and important features of urban green spaces across gender, race, and ethnicity highlight the importance of considering specific community needs in design and management of these spaces.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mathew P. White, Lewis R. Elliott, James Grellier, Theo Economou, Simon Bell, Gregory N. Bratman, Marta Cirach, Mireia Gascon, Maria L. Lima, Mare Lohmus, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Ann Ojala, Anne Roiko, P. Wesley Schultz, Matilda van den Bosch, Lora E. Fleming
Summary: Living near, recreating in, and feeling psychologically connected to the natural world are associated with better mental health. Data from an 18-country survey explored associations between mental health measures and exposures to different natural settings, as well as nature connectedness. Results show that green and coastal living spaces are linked to higher well-being, while recreational visits to green, inland-blue, and coastal-blue spaces are associated with positive well-being and lower mental distress. Nature connectedness and green space visits are also correlated with lower likelihood of using depression medication.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diogo Queiroz Almeida, Henrique Barros, Ana Isabel Ribeiro
Summary: Green and blue spaces have a positive impact on children's cognitive development and intelligence quotient (IQ). Specifically, this study found that the presence of green spaces near residential areas is associated with higher performance and global IQ among children. However, accessibility to blue spaces does not show a clear association with IQ.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xingcai Liu, Wenfeng Liu, Qiuhong Tang, Bo Liu, Yoshihide Wada, Hong Yang
Summary: Climate change has negative effects on water availability and food production. This study develops an integrated agricultural water scarcity index that shows future water scarcity will increase and highlights the importance of green water management for agriculture.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roman Suligowski, Tadeusz Ciupa
Summary: This paper presents a detailed spatio-temporal analysis of the relationship between green-blue spaces and COVID-19 cases and deaths in Poland. The results show a clear negative correlation between the indicator of green-blue space per inhabitant and the average daily number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Additionally, urban areas had significantly higher rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths compared to rural areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alessandro Rigolon, Stephen Gibson
Summary: The governance of green and blue spaces has shifted from public agencies to non-governmental organizations, with NGOs raising environmental justice concerns. Some GBS NGOs have been established to advance EJ goals.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jinda Qi, Ervine Shengwei Lin, Puay Yok Tan, Xudong Zhang, Roger Ho, Angelia Sia, Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo, Radha Waykool
Summary: This study investigates the visual quality and its connection to restorative potential of Singapore's residential green spaces. Results identify five main clusters and provide practical recommendations for improving visual quality.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Ina Falfan, Luis Zambrano
Summary: Lacustrine blue spaces in Mexican cities are generally limited, with most of them found in hydrological regions near the Gulf of Mexico. The number and surface area of these spaces decrease as the urban marginalization index increases. The lack of equitable provision of lacustrine space has implications for urban planning and land management. To promote cities' sustainability and resilience, blue spaces should maximize their provision of ecosystem services for the whole society.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Longfeng Wu, Seung Kyum Kim, Chensong Lin
Summary: This study, based on a nationwide social survey, examined the availability of green spaces to different socioeconomic groups living in urban areas in China. The results showed that green spaces were not strongly discriminatory towards people's socioeconomic levels. Certain disadvantaged groups were sometimes provided with more green spaces. The study also found that residents in affordable housing estates and urban villages had higher rates of vegetation coverage.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Shawan Chowdhury, Michael D. Jennions, Myron P. Zalucki, Martine Maron, James E. M. Watson, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Anthropogenic pressures are causing a decline in insect populations worldwide. Protected areas, which are important for safeguarding vertebrates, have not focused much on insect conservation. There is a lack of knowledge on the effectiveness of protected areas for insect conservation, especially regarding threats and management strategies. The authors propose a research agenda to prioritize insects in expanding the global protected area network.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sam Nicol, Marie-Josee Cros, Nathalie Peyrard, Regis Sabbadin, Ronan Trepos, Richard A. Fuller, Bradley K. Woodworth
Summary: This article introduces the concept of FlywayNet, a discrete network model based on observed count data, to determine the structure of migratory networks in birds. By modeling noisy observations and flexible stopover durations using interacting hidden semi-Markov models, this approach advances previous studies and provides a flexible framework for studying migratory networks in birds and other organisms.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Xu Shi, Cheng Hu, Joshua Soderholm, Jason Chapman, Huafeng Mao, Kai Cui, Zhijun Ma, Dongli Wu, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Interpretation of weather radar signals has been used to monitor bird migration patterns in Europe and America, but not yet in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). This study discusses the feasibility and challenges of using weather radar to complement on-ground bird migration surveys in the EAAF. The authors conclude that the weather radar network could be a powerful resource for monitoring bird movements in the EAAF, especially in remote regions.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jeremy S. Simmonds, Andres Felipe Suarez-Castro, April E. Reside, James E. M. Watson, James R. Allan, Scott C. Atkinson, Pasquale Borrelli, Nigel Dudley, Stephen Edwards, Richard A. Fuller, Edward T. Game, Simon Linke, Sean L. Maxwell, Panos Panagos, Philippe Puydarrieux, Fabien Quetier, Rebecca K. Runting, Talitha Santini, Laura J. Sonter, Martine Maron
Summary: Global efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals such as reducing carbon emissions and halting biodiversity loss lack integration. To unify these goals, we have derived specific area-based targets for retaining natural and seminatural terrestrial vegetation worldwide. At least 50% of Earth's terrestrial surface needs to be preserved in order to contribute to biodiversity, climate, soil, and freshwater conservation objectives under 4 United Nations' resolutions.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicole Shumway, Megan Saunders, Sam Nicol, Richard A. Fuller, Noam Ben-Moshe, Takuya Iwamura, Sun W. Kim, Nicholas J. Murray, James E. M. Watson, Martine Maron
Summary: Biodiversity offsets aim to counterbalance the impacts of development on species and ecosystems. The effectiveness of spatially flexible offsets, located further from the impact area, in achieving no net loss or better ecological outcomes compared to local offsets is uncertain. In the case study of migratory shorebirds, there were insufficient data to draw robust conclusions about the effectiveness and equivalence of distant habitat-based offsets. The potential benefits of spatially flexible offsets need to be evaluated against the increased risks to ensure effective offset placement.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Da-Li Lin, Jerome Chie-Jen Ko, Tatsuya Amano, Cheng-Te Hsu, Richard A. Fuller, Martine Maron, Meng-Wen Fan, Scott Pursner, Tsai-Yu Wu, Shih-Hung Wu, Wan-Jyun Chen, Elisa Bayraktarov, Taej Mundkur, Ruey-Shing Lin, Tzung-Su Ding, Yung-Jaan Lee, Pei-Fen Lee
Summary: This study models the population trajectories of 107 breeding bird species in Taiwan and develops multi-species indicators for forest, farmland, and introduced bird species. The results show that most species did not show significant changes, but some forest and farmland species declined rapidly. Additionally, the introduced species indicator grew more rapidly than native species indicators, posing a risk to native bird communities and ecosystem integrity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Review
Biology
Shawan Chowdhury, Upama Aich, Md Rokonuzzaman, Shofiul Alam, Priyanka Das, Asma Siddika, Sultan Ahmed, Mahzabin Muzahid Labi, Moreno Di Marco, Richard A. Fuller, Corey T. Callaghan
Summary: Citizen science programs are popular among naturalists, but they have biases in terms of taxonomy and geography. However, with the rise of social media and smartphones, wildlife photographs posted on social media can be used to enhance biodiversity understanding. This study compares biodiversity records from Facebook with those from GBIF and shows the potential of using social media biodiversity data.
Article
Biology
Brenda B. Lin, Erik Andersson
Summary: This article explores new urban models that aim to create sustainable, livable, and healthier cities by increasing green space. It reviews various disconnected areas of study that examine the factors influencing human-environment interactions and their potential well-being outcomes. It proposes a conceptual framework that integrates affordance theory and socio-institutional programming to enable positive green space experiences. Acknowledging the diversity within urban communities and considering the intersection between individual differences and landscape programming can lead to different well-being outcomes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaotong Ren, Shen Zhang, Ke Huang, He-Bo Peng, Changlin Li, Ding Zhao, Dehong Pang, Yong Wu, Peng Liu, Peng Chen, Rong Hou, Richard A. Fuller, Fangyuan Hua, Pinjia Que
Summary: This study provides the first assessment of the breeding season habitat use of the Wood Snipe. The results indicate that Wood Snipes prefer alpine meadow habitats with lower elevation and moderate soil moisture. The actual distribution range of the Wood Snipe during the breeding season may be smaller than expected. Further research is needed to better understand the ecology of this rare species.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Slade Allen-Ankins, Donald T. McKnight, Eric J. Nordberg, Sebastian Hoefer, Paul Roe, David M. Watson, Paul G. McDonald, Richard A. Fuller, Lin Schwarzkopf
Summary: Effective monitoring tools are crucial for tracking biodiversity loss and informing management strategies. Passive acoustic monitoring has the potential to be a cheap and effective method for monitoring biodiversity, but extracting useful information from long audio recordings is still difficult.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joshua P. P. Wilson, Tatsuya Amano, Richard A. A. Fuller
Summary: The increase in drone use has led to a need for regulations on flights near vulnerable wildlife, but a lack of data on drone-induced wildlife disturbance has hindered these efforts. This study characterizes the disturbance caused by drones among mixed-species shorebird flocks to provide guidance for drone management near shorebirds. The researchers conducted drone approaches on roosting non-breeding shorebirds in Moreton Bay, Australia and found that the flight initiation distance varies depending on the species and certain factors such as drone noise, approach velocity, and distance. The researchers recommend careful regulation of drone use, evaluation of disturbance risk in drone surveys, and seeking alternatives in the absence of disturbance data.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Felipe Benra, Laura Nahuelhual, Maria R. Felipe-Lucia, Rachel R. Y. Oh, Jana Kachler, Aletta Bonn
Summary: Using structural equation modeling, we examined the complex bidirectional linkages between ecosystem services (ES) supply and material wellbeing (income) in Chilean Patagonia. The results showed that there was no significant connection between ES supply and material wellbeing in any of the models. The models for cultural and regulating ES had a better fit compared to the provisioning ES model. This study highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics of ES supply and wellbeing across different spatial and temporal scales for sustainable socio-ecological systems.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shawan Chowdhury, Myron P. Zalucki, Jeffrey O. Hanson, Sarin Tiatragul, David Green, James E. M. Watson, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Insects dominate the biosphere, but their populations are declining globally. Extensive conservation efforts are required to reverse this trend. Protected areas (PAs) can provide protection against extinction, but the coverage of insect species within PAs is limited. A study found that 76% of globally assessed insect species do not meet the minimum target levels of PA coverage.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Susan Lieberman, Nives Dolsak, Aseem Prakash, Ronald Labonte, Duan Biggs, Christine Franklin, Tiffany H. Morrison, A. M. Viens, Richard A. Fuller, Raphael Aguiar, Pedro Fidelman, James E. M. Watson, Cecile Aenishaenslin, Mary Wiktorowicz
Summary: Although ideas about preventive actions for pandemics have been advanced during the COVID-19 crisis, there has been little consideration for how they can be operationalised through governance structures within the context of the wildlife trade for human consumption. However, given the acceleration of globalisation, a paradigm shift towards prevention of zoonotic spillovers is warranted as containment of outbreaks becomes unfeasible. Here, we consider the current institutional landscape for pandemic prevention in light of ongoing negotiations of a so-called pandemic treaty and how prevention of zoonotic spillovers from the wildlife trade for human consumption could be incorporated.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Brenda B. Lin, Chia-chen Chang, Thomas Astell-Burt, Xiaoqi Feng, John Gardner, Erik Andersson
Summary: A survey conducted in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, during the early years of the Covid-19 pandemic revealed changes in the use of public and private green spaces by urban dwellers. More frequent use of private yards was associated with lower stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as higher wellbeing. However, longer duration of private yard visits was linked to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, potentially due to the immediate availability of nature spaces for emotional regulation during difficult times. The findings emphasize the importance of yards for mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that the relationship between nature interaction and mental health may depend on the context and timeframe.
NPJ URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
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)
