Journal articles on the topic 'Habitants. Urban renewal'
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1
Gao, Changzheng, Juepin Hou, Yanchen Ma, and Jianxin Yang. "Evaluation and Analysis of Design Elements for Sustainable Renewal of Urban Vulnerable Spaces." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 24 (December 9, 2022): 16562. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416562.
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The sustainable renewal design of urban vulnerable spaces is critical for urban space quality improvement. Taking Zhengzhou and surrounding cities as examples, a cognitive framework of urban vulnerable spaces is constructed. The three types of urban vulnerable spaces are vulnerable population, vulnerable cultural, and vulnerable forgotten spaces. Their sustainable renewal design elements comprise multidimensional factors, such as functional requirement, space organization, activity facility, urban context continuation, and material texture. The design elements for the sustainable update of urban vulnerable spaces are evaluated by grey relation analysis (GRA), and update strategies are proposed. The result shows that (1) vulnerable population spaces were shown to have the highest sensitivity to functional requirements and activity facility design elements, while vulnerable cultural spaces have high relevance to urban context continuation and functional requirement design elements. Furthermore, space organization, activity facility, and urban context continuation design elements all show high relevance and importance in vulnerable forgotten spaces. (2) The update of vulnerable population spaces should be designed to achieve functional communion; vulnerable cultural spaces can be reshaped through urban context implantation, and vulnerable forgotten spaces can use space creation to enhance ecological space continuity, achieving sustainable renewal. The study provides a reference for decision-making for improving urban vulnerable habitats and the sustainable renewal design of atypical urban space types.
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Egerer, Monika, Jacob Cecala, and Hamutahl Cohen. "Wild Bee Conservation within Urban Gardens and Nurseries: Effects of Local and Landscape Management." Sustainability 12, no. 1 (December 30, 2019): 293. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12010293.
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Across urban environments, vegetated habitats provide refuge for biodiversity. Gardens (designed for food crop production) and nurseries (designed for ornamental plant production) are both urban agricultural habitats characterized by high plant species richness but may vary in their ability to support wild pollinators, particularly bees. In gardens, pollinators are valued for crop production. In nurseries, ornamental plants rarely require pollination; thus, the potential of nurseries to support pollinators has not been examined. We asked how these habitats vary in their ability to support wild bees, and what habitat features relate to this variability. In 19 gardens and 11 nurseries in California, USA, we compared how local habitat and landscape features affected wild bee species abundance and richness. To assess local features, we estimated floral richness and measured ground cover as proxies for food and nesting resources, respectively. To assess landscape features, we measured impervious land cover surrounding each site. Our analyses showed that differences in floral richness, local habitat size, and the amount of urban land cover impacted garden wild bee species richness. In nurseries, floral richness and the proportion of native plant species impacted wild bee abundance and richness. We suggest management guidelines for supporting wild pollinators in both habitats.
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Rehak, Jana. "Practicing Urban Anthropology in Baltimore." Practicing Anthropology 37, no. 1 (January 1, 2015): 50–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.17730/praa.37.1.63214u8418035685.
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This article reflects on an applied anthropology collaborative project in Baltimore, Maryland. I will discuss how through the practice of anthropology my students and I, in partnership with the organization Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) in Baltimore, are addressing urban inequality, poverty, and health in relation to housing. I present a general overview of our applied project and give an example from one of our data, a life history. I will present the life history narratives of four women, who are Habitat homeowners from Pen Lucy, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, as they reflected on their life experiences. We asked: Does Habitat housing become a solution to poverty inequality in the city? What is the role of Habitat homeowners in the urban renewal process in Baltimore?
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Dai, Ye Zi, and Rui Ding Cai. "Related Issues on Urban Renewal of Suzhou Old Town." Applied Mechanics and Materials 488-489 (January 2014): 429–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.488-489.429.
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The essay gets started from research of current problems of the Suzhou Old Town and tries to propose development ideas of modern renewing of the Old Town by interpreting the habitat quality, environment, heritage protection and other aspects. At the same time, it provides possible directions and useful lessons for the future renewing and developing of the Old Town with assistant of analysis of domestic and foreign related cases and theoretical technical means.
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Wang, Sicheng, Feng Lu, and Guoen Wei. "Direct and Spillover Effects of Urban Land Expansion on Habitat Quality in Chengdu-Chongqing Urban Agglomeration." Sustainability 14, no. 22 (November 11, 2022): 14931. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su142214931.
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Urban land expansion has dramatically changed the spatial distribution patterns and functional structure of habitats. Previous studies on the spatial externality effect of urban land expansion on the habitat quality of urban agglomerations are still insufficient. With the use of remote sensing and statistical data from 2000 to 2018, this study explored the evolutionary relationship between urban land expansion and habitat quality in the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration (CUA) using the bivariate local autocorrelation method and spatial Durbin model. Partial differential equation decomposition of the local and spatial spillover effects was implemented to investigate the marginal effects of the influencing factors. The highlights of the results are as follows: CUA’s urban land increased by 2890.42 km2 from 2000 to 2018, mainly caused by urban encroachment over farmland and grassland. New urban lands were situated primarily in the main urban districts of Chengdu and Chongqing; urban expansion intensity slowed to 7.64% in 2010–2018, declining by 53.95% from 2000 to 2010. The average habitat quality decreased to 0.905, and two “ring-shaped decline areas” were formed around the main urban areas of Chengdu and Chongqing. “Low-High” and “Low-Low” clusters were the main associations between urban land expansion and habitat quality changes. The impact of urban land expansion on local habitat quality changed from insignificant to negative, while its spatial spillover effects over adjacent areas have increased the negative environmental externalities to habitat quality in adjacent areas through spatial spillovers. Our findings provide evidence for urban agglomerations such as CUA that are still being cultivated to carry out cross-city joint protection strategies of habitat quality, also proving that habitat quality protection should be an integration of urban expansion regulation, natural adaptation and socioeconomic adjustment.
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Satterthwaite, David. "Revisiting Urban Habitats." Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development 38, no. 9 (November 1996): 25–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1996.9931001.
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Zahtila, Albert, Elvis Zahtila, and Roko Dejhalla. "Artifficial Reefs - New Habitats of Marine Life." Journal of Maritime & Transportation Science 2, Special edition 2 (April 2018): 106–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.18048/2018-00.105.
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The aim of this paper is to analyze the problem of artificial reefs, to warn to the need for definition of such facilities in the national legal framework and in the context of urban ecology, present their potential for the marine environment. A review and analysis of national legal frameworks and European regulations regarding the possibilities of their establishment and management is given, all towards to reduce the eutrophication process, the increase of the fish stock and the creation of a zone for the prohibition of fishing in order to protect the coastline and enable the renewal of marine biodiversity and ecosystems in Republic of Croatia.
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Salman, Ibrahim, and Leon Blaustein. "Vegetation Cover Drives Arthropod Communities in Mediterranean/Subtropical Green Roof Habitats." Sustainability 10, no. 11 (November 15, 2018): 4209. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su10114209.
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Worldwide, urban areas are expanding both in size and number, which results in a decline in habitats suitable for urban flora and fauna. The construction of urban green features, such as green roofs, may provide suitable habitat patches for many species in urban areas. On green roofs, two approaches have been used to select plants—i.e., matching similar habitat to green roofs (habitat template approach) or identifying plants with suitable traits (plant trait approach). While both approaches may result in suitable habitats for arthropods, how arthropods respond to different combinations of plants is an open question. The aim of this study was to investigate how the structural complexity of different plant forms can affect the abundance and richness of arthropods on green roofs. The experimental design crossed the presence and absence of annuals with three Sedum sediforme (Jacq.) Pau (common name: stonecrops) treatments—i.e., uniformly disrupted Sedum, clumped disrupted Sedum, and no Sedum. We hypothesized that an increased structural diversity due to the coexistence of different life forms of plants on roofs is positively related to the abundance and richness of arthropods. We found that arthropod abundance and richness were positively associated with the percent of vegetation cover and negatively associated with substrate temperature. Neither arthropod abundance nor richness was influenced by the relative moisture of substrate. We also found that arthropod abundance and richness varied by green roof setups (treatments) and by seasonality. Arthropod abundance on green roofs was the highest in treatments with annuals only, while species richness was slightly similar between treatments containing annuals but varied between sampling periods. This study suggests that adding annuals to traditional Sedum roofs has positive effects on arthropods. This finding can support the development of biodiverse cities because most extensive green roofs are inaccessible to the public and can provide undisturbed habitat for several plant and arthropod species.
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Rajpar, Muhammad Nawaz, Shahab Ali Khan, Allah Ditta, Hayssam M. Ali, Sami Ullah, Muhammad Ibrahim, Altaf Hussain Rajpar, Mohamed Zakaria, and Mohamed Z. M. Salem. "Subtropical Broad-Leaved Urban Forests as the Foremost Dynamic and Complex Habitats for a Wide Range of Bird Species." Sustainability 13, no. 23 (November 24, 2021): 13021. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su132313021.
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Broad-leaved subtropical forests are the most productive, diversified, and complex ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, they are currently under severe threat from anthropogenic activities, such as. deforestation, housing settlements, and agricultural expansion. In response to these severe effects, the present study was conducted to explore the current conservation status and population structure of a wide range of bird species inhabiting different subtropical broad-leaved urban forests of Pakistan. In total, 2879 individuals comprising 53 species and 28 families were detected between December 2017 and November 2018 as revealed through the distance sampling line transect method. The habitat selection among bird species varied according to vegetation structure and composition, food resources, adjoining habitats, and human settlements. According to IUCN Red List data, one species was deemed vulnerable out of 53 bird species, while the remaining 52 species were ranked as ofleast concern. The findings of the density analysis revealed that bird density varied between six subtropical broad-leaved forests. Palamar (3.954 ± 0.221 birds/ha) and Kityari (3.138 ± 0.162 birds/ha) were densely populated, whereas Kamal Khan (1.102 ± 0.178 birds/ha) was of the least concern. Likewise, the diversity analysis showed that Kamal Khan was a more diverse habitat (Shannon–Wiener Index; H’ = 3.581 ± 0.021). Shahabad was richer (Margalef Richness Index; R1 = 8.007 ± 0.053) and Dob Ghar was evenly distributed (Pielou J Evenness Index; E = 0.940 ± 0.005) compared to other urban habitats studied. Eight foraging guilds were identified among the bird species. Insectivores were the most abundant bird species utilizing the urban dwelling habitats. carnivores/piscivores/insectivores utilized Dob Ghar forest, while more frugivores utilized Kamal Khan and Dob Ghar. Based on the data, it was concluded that subtropical broad-leaved urban forests are dynamic, complex, and of vital significance for a diverse range of bird species.
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Kim, Dohee, Wonhyeop Shin, Heejoon Choi, Jihwan Kim, and Youngkeun Song. "Estimation of Ecological Connectivity in a City Based on Land Cover and Urban Habitat Maps." Sustainability 12, no. 22 (November 16, 2020): 9529. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12229529.
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Anthropogenic land use has led to the loss and fragmentation of native habitats and disruption to ecosystem processes, resulting in a decline in landscape connectivity and biodiversity. Here, in order to find the potentials of improvements in ecological connectivity, we provide a spatial analysis to present differences in ecological connectivity based on land cover maps and urban habitat maps in Suwon city, Republic of Korea. We generated two permeability maps for use in a network analysis, one being land cover and the other urban habitat, including a 5-km buffer area from the city boundary. We then determined the current-flow betweenness centrality (CFBC) for each map. Our results indicate that forests are typically the most highly connected areas in both maps. However, in the land cover map results, nearly all high-priority areas were in the mountainous region (CFBC value: 0.0100 ± 0.0028), but the urban habitat indicated that grasslands and rivers within the city also significantly contribute to connectivity (CFBC value: 0.0071 ± 0.0022). The CFBC maps developed here could be used as a reference when introducing green infrastructure in cities. Before establishing ecological networks for urban areas, future work should integrate the land use and ecological data of different administrative districts with continuous ecological connection.
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Li, Xiang, Wenhao Hu, and Zhenrong Yu. "Importance of Soil Organic Matter and the Species Pool for Local Species Richness in Montane Ecosystems." Sustainability 13, no. 19 (September 24, 2021): 10634. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su131910634.
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Understanding the response of plant species richness to environmental filters is critical for conservation management as there is an increasing emphasis on plant restoration in urban/rural planning. However, empirical studies on the effects that the regional species pool has on plant species richness often overlook small spatial scales, therefore requiring more comprehensive approaches. As mountains can act as barriers to plant dispersal, the impact on the species pool, particularly, should be a priority. This study aimed to investigate how the regional species pool affects the local plant species richness in a multivariate context. We sampled vascular plant communities along three transects located in three valleys across the Chongli District, China, where four common habitat types were selected for sampling: grassland, shrubbery, pure forest, and mixed forest. We compared the differences in the multi-scale species richness and species composition between habitats and regions and used piecewise structural equation modeling to analyze the relative importance of the regional species pool, habitat species pool, soil resource availability, and exposure for local plant richness. The β-diversity had the highest contribution to the total species richness between valleys and habitats. The species composition between regions and habitats showed a significant difference and the local species richness was most strongly affected by the soil characteristics, but effects from the regional species pool still played an important role. Conservation efforts and urban/rural planning should use a multi-level and multi-scale approach based on a detailed structural investigation.
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Szilágyi, Kinga, Chaima Lahmar, Camila Andressa Pereira Rosa, and Krisztina Szabó. "Living Heritage in the Urban Landscape. Case Study of the Budapest World Heritage Site Andrássy Avenue." Sustainability 13, no. 9 (April 22, 2021): 4699. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13094699.
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Historic allées and urban avenues reflect a far-sighted and forward-thinking design attitude. These compositions are the living witnesses of olden times, suggesting permanence. However, the 20th century’s urban development severely damaged the environment, therefore hundred-year-old mature trees are relatively rare among city avenues’ stands. Due to the deteriorated habitat conditions, replantation may be necessary from time to time. However, there are a large number of replanted allées and urban avenues considered historical monuments, according to the relevant international literature in urban and living heritage’s preservation. The renewal often results in planting a different, urban tolerant taxon, as seen in several examples reviewed. Nevertheless, the allée remains an essential urban structural element, though often with a changed character. The Budapest Andrássy Avenue, a city and nature connection defined in the late 19th century’s urban landscape planning, aimed to offer a splendid link between city core and nature in Városliget Public Park. The 19–20th century’s history and urban development are well documented in Hungarian and several English publications, though current tree stock stand and linear urban green infrastructure as part of the urban landscape need a detailed survey. The site analyses ran in 2020–early 2021 created a basis for assessing the allées and the whole avenue as an urban ecosystem and a valuable case study of contemporary heritage protection problems. Andrassy Avenue, the unique urban fabric, architecture, and promenades have been a world heritage monument of cultural value since 2002. The allées became endangered despite reconstruction type maintenance efforts. The presented survey analyses the living heritage’s former renewal programs and underlines the necessity of new reconstruction concepts in urban heritage protection. We hypothesize that urban green infrastructure development, the main issue in the 21st century to improve the urban ecological system and human liveability, may support heritage protection. The Budapest World Heritage Site is worthwhile for a complex renewal where the urban green ecosystem supply and liveable, pedestrian-friendly urban open space system are at the forefront to recall the once glorious, socially and aesthetically attractive avenue.
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Pechanec, Vilém, Ondřej Cudlín, Miloš Zapletal, Jan Purkyt, Lenka Štěrbová, Karel Chobot, Elvis Tangwa, Renata Včeláková, Marcela Prokopová, and Pavel Cudlín. "Assessing Habitat Vulnerability and Loss of Naturalness: Applying the GLOBIO3 Model in the Czech Republic." Sustainability 13, no. 10 (May 11, 2021): 5355. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13105355.
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Global and regional biodiversity loss is caused by several drivers including urban development, land use intensification, overexploitation of natural resources, environmental pollution, and climate change. The main aim of our study was to adapt the GLOBIO3 model to the conditions of the Czech Republic (CR) to assess loss of naturalness and biodiversity vulnerability at the habitat level on a detailed scale across the entire CR. An additional aim was to assess the main drivers affecting the biodiversity of habitat types. The GLOBIO3 model was adapted to CZ-GLOBIO by adapting global to local scales and using habitat quality and naturalness data instead of species occurrence data. The total mean species abundance (MSA) index of habitat quality, calculated from the spatial overlay of the four MSA indicators by our new equation, reached the value 0.62. The total value of MSA for natural and near-natural habitats was found to be affected mainly by infrastructure development and fragmentation. Simultaneously, intensity of land use change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition contributed primarily to the low total value of MSA for distant natural habitats. The CZ-GLOBIO model can be an important tool in political decision making to reduce the impact of the main drivers on habitat biodiversity in the CR.
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Burr, Andrea K., Damon M. Hall, and Nicole Schaeg. "Wildness and Wild Spaces in Residential Yards: Changing Neighborhood Norms to Support Pollinator Populations." Sustainability 13, no. 22 (November 20, 2021): 12861. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su132212861.
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Insect pollinator populations, critical to the global food supply, are declining. Research has found robust bee communities in cities, which are supported by diverse urban habitat and foraging resources. Accounting for 35–50% of urban green space, U.S. private residential yards can serve as important forage and nesting sources for pollinators. Incorporating wild attributes and wildness, such as native vegetation and less intensive yard-management practices, is key. However, urban vegetation, and its effects on local native bee populations, is shaped by social and cultural preferences, norms, aesthetics, values, and identities. The perfect lawn ideal of a highly manicured turfgrass yard dominates neighborhood landscapes and is often at odds with the habitat needs of pollinators. As part of a three-year study investigating the sociocultural drivers of residential vegetation choices in St. Louis, MO, USA, we interviewed 85 decisionmakers in order to understand choices about private residential yard maintenance. This paper presents an emergent finding concerning how residents conceptualize and talk about the urban-yard aesthetic, using the terms “wild” and “wildness”, which reflect a range of levels in the demand for urban wild spaces in their neighborhoods. The discourse of wildness offers a nontechnical route for understanding the connections between the ecological consequences of urbanization, with human attitudes towards nature that shape the biological functioning of human-generated habitats.
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Garrah, Jacob, Katherine Berton, and Sophia Chen. "Urban Biodiversity Through Sustainable Architecture and Urban Planning." McGill Science Undergraduate Research Journal 12, no. 1 (April 9, 2017): 25–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.26443/msurj.v12i1.40.
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Background: In recent years, ecologists, architects, urban planners and decision makers, and citizens have become more aware of the importance of biodiversity in cities, creating a renewed effort to make cities and new developments better suited towards natural habitats. Sustainable architecture and design practices have offered ground to significant discovery and innovation in the art of city-building. Methods: A literature review of current practices in the Western world of the last twenty years and two case studies will be used to illustrate current efforts and future directions of biodiversity preservation. Summary: Integrating building strategies and holistic urban ecosystem development, compounded by encouraging interdisciplinary approaches that promote collaborative and bottom-up urban planning through community activism are the main trends in current sustainable city-building. The literature review is far from exhaustive and requires a historical perspective to better understand implications of past and present sustainability efforts. The paper serves as introduction to a promising field. Relationships between biodiversity preservation and urban planning and design need to be reinforced in order to build a more connected, healthy, and resilient community.
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Woźniak, Gabriela, Damian Chmura, Teresa Nowak, Barbara Bacler-Żbikowska, Lynn Besenyei, and Agnieszka Hutniczak. "Post-Extraction Novel Ecosystems Support Plant and Vegetation Diversity in Urban-Industrial Landscapes." Sustainability 14, no. 13 (June 22, 2022): 7611. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14137611.
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Long-term exploitation of mineral resources has significantly changed the natural environment in urban-industrial landscapes. The changes on the surface of the extraction sites as a consequence of excavation of mineral resources provide specific mineral oligotrophic habitats on which plant species and thus vegetation can establish spontaneously. Some of these sites fulfill the prerequisites of novel ecosystems. This study was conducted on the spontaneous vegetation of post-extraction sites. Lists of species spontaneously covering these sites were prepared based on published data and our own records. This research revealed that species composition and vegetation types vary in time. These post-extraction novel ecosystems are also important for the presence of rare, endangered, and protected species noted in patches of different vegetation types. The variety of habitat conditions provided by these sites facilitates the occurrence of a wide spectrum of plants (both in terms of their socio-ecological origin and their ecological spectrum). This research proves how important these post-extraction novel ecosystems are for supporting plant and vegetation diversity in urban-industrial landscapes. Enhancing the biodiversity significantly increases the ecosystem services delivered by these sites and also the functioning of entire ecosystems. These natural processes on human habitats are essential in urban-industrial ecosystem landscape mosaics.
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Yoshida, Jun, and Tatsuhito Kono. "Optimal Land Use Regulation for Human–Coyote Conflicts in the Denver Metropolitan Area." Sustainability 14, no. 3 (January 21, 2022): 1210. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14031210.
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While human–wildlife conflicts are an emerging problem in urban areas, wildlife conservation is needed to sustain human life. Because the degree of conflict depends on land cover types and housing density classes, land-use policies intended to influence both resident and wildlife behavior are needed. This paper numerically simulates the optimal urban boundary regulation to reduce human–coyote conflicts and conserve the ecosystem. Given the parameters of the Denver Metropolitan Area, the optimal location of the urban boundary is estimated as 1 km farther away from the market city boundary. As a result of the optimization more coyotes emerge in urban areas, while fewer herbivores and plants emerge in natural habitats. Because of a “cascade effect”, that is, secondary-and-later effects on the number of certain species through a food chain, the optimal result sees the number of plants increase with a smaller natural habitat than the market size. This indicates that because both direct and cascade effects are affected by the degree of land-use policies, it is necessary to consider the cascade effect when designing these policies.
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Benocci, Roberto, Giovanni Brambilla, Alessandro Bisceglie, and Giovanni Zambon. "Eco-Acoustic Indices to Evaluate Soundscape Degradation Due to Human Intrusion." Sustainability 12, no. 24 (December 14, 2020): 10455. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su122410455.
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The characterization of environmental quality and the detection of the first sign of environmental stress, with reference to human intrusion, is currently a very important goal to prevent further environmental degradation, and consequently habitat destruction, in order to take appropriate preservation measures. Besides the traditional field observation and satellite remote sensing, geophonic and/or biophonic sounds have been proposed as potential indicators of terrestrial and aquatic settings’ status. In this work, we analyze a series of short audio-recordings taken in urban parks and bushes characterized by the presence of different human-generated-noise and species abundance. This study aims to propose a tool devoted to the investigation of urban and natural environments in a context with different soundscape qualities, such as, for example, those that can be found in urban parks. The analysis shows the ways in which it is possible to distinguish among different habitats by the use of a combination of different acoustic and sound ecology indices.
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Flowers, Bryon, Kuo-Tsang Huang, and Gerardo O. Aldana. "Analysis of the Habitat Fragmentation of Ecosystems in Belize Using Landscape Metrics." Sustainability 12, no. 7 (April 9, 2020): 3024. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12073024.
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Landscape metrics have been of game changing importance in the analysis of ecosystems’ composition and landscape cohesion. With the increasing urban and agricultural expansion, the natural flora and fauna of many highly diverse areas have been degraded. Fragmentation of ecosystems and habitats have stressed the biodiversity of Belize. To understand the dynamics of this change, a study was conducted using three moderately separate years of ecosystem landscape data. The metrics used for the analysis were area-weighted mean shape index (AWMSI), mean shape index (MSI), edge density (ED), mean patch size (MPS), number of patches (NUMP), and class area (CA). These metrics were produced for the years 2001, 2011, and 2017. The classes of agricultural use, lowland savannas, mangroves and littoral forests, urban, and wetlands were the subjects for analysis. Using the GIS extension Patch Analyst, parametric runs were performed. From these results, a one-way ANOVA test of the NUMP, Tukey HSD test, and Scheffé Multiple Comparison test were performed. The results indicate that there has been significant habitat fragmentation, especially from the years 2001 to 2011. Agricultural areas increased by 19.37% in just 10 years, with the NUMP of some habitats increasing by 284%. The results also show fluctuation in ED and a decrease in overall MPS, all indicating high fragmentation. These changes have been mostly induced due to the expansion of agricultural activities and urbanization, especially in the northern parts of Belize. It is imperative that additional policies be implemented to deter the effects of habitat fragmentation upon the existing ecosystems of Belize and elsewhere.
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Braschler, Brigitte, Claudine Dolt, and Bruno Baur. "The Function of A Set-Aside Railway Bridge in Connecting Urban Habitats for Animals: A Case Study." Sustainability 12, no. 3 (February 7, 2020): 1194. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12031194.
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As elements of green infrastructure, railway embankments are important corridors in urban environments connecting otherwise isolated habitat fragments. They are interrupted when railways cross major roads. It is not known whether dispersing animals use railway bridges to cross roads. We examined the function of a set-aside iron-steel railway bridge crossing a 12 m wide road with high traffic density in Basel (Switzerland) for dispersing animals. We installed drift fences with traps on a single-track, 32 m long and 6 m wide railway bridge with a simple gravel bed, and collected animals daily for 9 months. We captured more than 1200 animals crossing the bridge: small mammals, reptiles and amphibians as well as numerous invertebrates including snails, woodlice, spiders, harvestmen, millipedes, carabids, rove beetles and ants. For some animals it is likely that the gravel bed, at least temporarily, serves as a habitat. Many animals, however, were apparently dispersing, using the bridge to cross the busy road. We found season- and daytime-dependent differences in the frequency the bridge was used. Our findings indicate an important function of a set-aside railway bridges for connecting urban habitats. As most animal dispersal was recorded during the night, railway bridges with no (or little) traffic during the night may also contribute to animal dispersal. As important elements of green infrastructure, set-aside railway bridges should be considered in future urban planning.
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Park, Jin-Wook, and Cheol Min Lee. "Response of Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Communities to Effect of Urbanization in Southern Osaka: An Analytical Approach Using GIS." Sustainability 13, no. 13 (June 25, 2021): 7134. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13137134.
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Urbanization involves the profound alteration of original habitats and causes habitat loss and biodiversity decline. This study aims to clarify the response of ground beetle communities to the effect of urbanization in southern Osaka, Japan. In total, 2950 individuals from 53 species of ground beetle were collected in nine urban green areas. The categories of land use regarding the study sites were determined based on GIS data. The community index was not significantly different between areas. Urban areas and roads in land use mainly have a negative influence on ground beetles. Paddies, fields, parks and green spaces, and open space were positively correlated with species richness of forest species and large-sized species, and open space was positively correlated with species richness and the density of open land species. However, ground beetle communities in different areas of varying sizes did not group separately. These results suggest that changes in paddies, fields, parks and green spaces, forests, and open space associated with the expanding urban area and road greatly influenced species composition, and the community structure remained similar.
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Garfinkel, Megan, Sheryl Hosler, Christopher Whelan, and Emily Minor. "Powerline Corridors Can Add Ecological Value to Suburban Landscapes When Not Maintained as Lawn." Sustainability 14, no. 12 (June 10, 2022): 7113. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14127113.
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Electric powerline corridors are informal green spaces that encompass large areas of land and have the potential to support biodiversity in urban and suburban landscapes. However, the extent to which these corridors provide novel habitats compared to the surrounding landscape is unclear. Biodiversity in corridors is often compared to that of “natural” habitats despite the fact that the corridors are subject to frequent vegetation management. In urban and suburban landscapes, residential yards may provide a more appropriate comparison because they are a dominant type of green space and are also characterized by frequent vegetation management. We conducted a study of the biodiversity in suburban powerline corridors in northern Illinois, USA, and compared it to the biodiversity found in nearby residential yards. Our goal was to determine whether powerline corridors added ecological value to these suburban landscapes. We included three different management styles of powerline corridors: (1) frequently mowed and kept as lawn, (2) brush mowed on a five-year cycle (“old-field”), and (3) restored and/or maintained as native prairie. We measured the species richness and composition of plants, birds, and insect pollinators in corridors and yards. The corridor management types and comparison yards differed significantly in the richness of all three taxa, with old-field and/or prairie sites having greater species richness than mown corridors and/or comparison yards. Community composition also differed by management category. While the species richness of old-field sites tended to be high, prairie sites generally had more species of conservation interest. Our study shows that both old-field- and prairie-managed powerline corridors add habitat value to Midwestern U.S. suburban landscapes by providing alternative habitat types that support many species. Nonetheless, we suggest that managers looking to specifically support native and/or grassland specialist species in this region should manage sites as prairies when possible.
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Apfelbeck, Beate, Christine Jakoby, Maximilian Hanusch, Emanuel Boas Steffani, Thomas E. Hauck, and Wolfgang W. Weisser. "A Conceptual Framework for Choosing Target Species for Wildlife-Inclusive Urban Design." Sustainability 11, no. 24 (December 6, 2019): 6972. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11246972.
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Recent research has highlighted the significance of cities for biodiversity, making them important places for conservation in their own right. Current conservation approaches in cities are mostly defensive. Thus, they focus on remnant pockets of natural areas or try to protect particular species that occur in the built environment. These approaches are vulnerable to further urban development and do not create habitats. An alternative strategy is to make wildlife an integral part of urban development and thereby create a new habitat in the built-up area. Here we address the challenge of choosing target species for such wildlife-inclusive urban design. The starting point of our conceptual framework is the regional species pool, which can be obtained from geo-referenced species data. The existing habitat types on and around the development site and dispersal barriers limit the species numbers to the local species potential. In the next step, the site’s potential for each species is analyzed—how can it be upgraded to host species given the planned development and the life-cycle of the species? For the final choice of target species, traits related to the human–animal interaction are considered. We suggest that stakeholders will be involved in the final species selection. Our approach differs from existing practice, such as expert choice of priority species, by (1) representing an open process where many species are potential targets of conservation, (2) the involvement of stakeholders in a participatory way. Our approach can also be used at larger spatial scales such as quarters or entire cities.
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Fabbri, Debora, Romeo Pizzol, Paola Calza, Mery Malandrino, Elisa Gaggero, Elio Padoan, and Franco Ajmone-Marsan. "Constructed Technosols: A Strategy toward a Circular Economy." Applied Sciences 11, no. 8 (April 12, 2021): 3432. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app11083432.
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Soil is a non-renewable natural resource. However, the current rates of soil usage and degradation have led to a loss of soil for agriculture, habitats, biodiversity, and to ecosystems problems. Urban and former industrial areas suffer particularly of these problems, and compensation measures to restore environmental quality include the renaturation of dismissed areas, de-sealing of surfaces, or the building of green infrastructures. In this framework, the development of methodologies for the creation of soils designed to mimic natural soil and suitable for vegetation growth, known as constructed soils or technosols, are here reviewed. The possible design choices and the starting materials have been described, using a circular economy approach, i.e., preferring non-contaminated wastes to non-renewable resources. Technosols appear to be a good solution to the problems of land degradation and urban green if using recycled wastes or by-products, as they can be an alternative to the remediation of contaminated sites and to importing fertile agricultural soil. Nevertheless, waste use requires analysis to ensure the salubrity of the starting materials. Moreover, materials produced on site or nearby minimize the cost and the environmental impact of transport, thus the involvement of local stakeholders in the urban land management must be encouraged.
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Wagner, Sabrina, Dietmar Moser, and Franz Essl. "Urban Rivers as Dispersal Corridors: Which Factors Are Important for the Spread of Alien Woody Species along the Danube?" Sustainability 12, no. 6 (March 11, 2020): 2185. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12062185.
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Cities are hotspots of invasions, and this is particularly the case for urban rivers, which are known to serve as corridors for the spread of alien plant species to floodplain forests. Here, we present a case study on woody (shrubs, trees) species invasions across a gradient from a metropolis (Vienna) to rural regions along the Danube River in eastern Austria. In total, we identified 44 native and 25 alien woody species in 75 plots. Five alien woody species occur in at least 10 plots. The most wide-spread ones were species of floodplain forests (Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Populus x canadensis), while Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia—which prefer dry sites—were recorded substantially less often. The average level of invasion—i.e., the relative proportion of alien to native woody species in plots—was high across all three study regions. Still, there was a moderate decline of alien woody species richness along the urban—peri-urban—rural gradient. Generalized Linear Mixed Models showed that population density and the proportion of urban habitats in the environs of the plots is significantly positively correlated with the presence of Acer negundo and Ailanthus altissima. Conversely, the occurrence of Robinia pseudoacacia is negatively correlated with surrounding population density and urban habitats. Occurrence of Acer negundo is positively correlated with urban habitats. For Fraxinus pennsylvanica, we found no significant relationships. Our results confirm that gallery forests at river banks are highly susceptible to invasions. We argue that managing alien woody species in urban and peri-urban sites is not appropriate and useful, given that re-invasion is likely in most cases (from adjacent urban green spaces). We acknowledge that this recommendation entails the implicit recognition that gallery forests along urban sections of the Danube will contain a substantial—and likely further increasing—proportion of alien woody species.
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Kowarik, Ingo, Anne Hiller, Greg Planchuelo, Birgit Seitz, Moritz von der Lippe, and Sascha Buchholz. "Emerging Urban Forests: Opportunities for Promoting the Wild Side of the Urban Green Infrastructure." Sustainability 11, no. 22 (November 11, 2019): 6318. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11226318.
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Many cities aim to increase urban forest cover to benefit residents through the provision of ecosystem services and to promote biodiversity. As a complement to traditional forest plantings, we address opportunities associated with “emerging urban forests” (i.e., spontaneously developing forests in cities) for urban biodiversity conservation. We quantified the area of successional forests and analyzed the species richness of native and alien plants and of invertebrates (carabid beetles, spiders) in emerging forests dominated by alien or native trees, including Robinia pseudoacacia, Acer platanoides, and Betula pendula. Emerging urban forests were revealed as shared habitats of native and alien species. Native species richness was not profoundly affected by the alien (co-)dominance of the canopy. Instead, native and alien plant species richnesses were positively related. Numbers of endangered plants and invertebrates did not differ between native- and alien-dominated forest patches. Patterns of tree regeneration indicate different successional trajectories for novel forest types. We conclude that these forests (i) provide habitats for native and alien species, including some endangered species, (ii) allow city dwellers to experience wild urban nature, and (iii) support arguments for adapting forests to dynamic urban environments. Integrating emerging urban forests into the urban green infrastructure is a promising pathway to sustainable cities and can complement traditional restoration or greening approaches.
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Zullo, Francesco, Cristina Montaldi, Gianni Di Pietro, and Bernardino Romano. "Urban Growth and Habitat Connectivity: A Study on European Countries." Sustainability 14, no. 22 (November 8, 2022): 14689. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su142214689.
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The main tool for biodiversity conservation at the European level is the Natura 2000 network. The identification of Natura 2000 as an “ecological network spread over the entire European Union territory” is the symbolic image launched by the Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) even though many considerations focused on the contradiction between the shared model of the ecological network—based on spatial continuity—and the fragmented geographical configuration of the Natura 2000 sites. Currently, it stretches across all 28 European countries, both on land and at sea, and it is made up of over 27,000 sites for a total extension of approximately 1,150,000 km2. The land area covered by N2000 corresponds to approximately 18% of the total EU, with the national coverage ratio ranging from a minimum of 9% to a maximum of 38% in the various European countries. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of landscape fragmentation caused by the urban areas towards the Natura 2000 network, with the aim of analyzing how the current urban settlements’ geography could compromise their functionality. The proximity analysis carried out provides the necessary information to achieve full efficiency in the connections between the different habitats. In addition, these results give indications on which planning scale is most appropriate to intervene to reduce environmental fragmentation.
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Nguyen, Thuy Thi, Colin Meurk, Rubianca Benavidez, Bethanna Jackson, and Markus Pahlow. "The Effect of Blue-Green Infrastructure on Habitat Connectivity and Biodiversity: A Case Study in the Ōtākaro/Avon River Catchment in Christchurch, New Zealand." Sustainability 13, no. 12 (June 14, 2021): 6732. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13126732.
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The natural capital components in cities (“blue-green infrastructure” BGI) are designed to address long-term sustainability and create multi-benefits for society, culture, business, and ecology. We investigated the added value of BGI through the research question “Can the implementation of blue-green infrastructure lead to an improvement of habitat connectivity and biodiversity in urban environments?” To answer this, the Biological and Environmental Evaluation Tools for Landscape Ecology (BEETLE) within the Land Utilisation and Capability Indicator (LUCI) framework was adopted and applied in Christchurch, New Zealand, for the first time. Three ecologically representative species were selected. The parameterisation was based on ecological theory and expert judgment. By implementation of BGI, the percentages of habitats of interest for kereru and paradise shelduck increased by 3.3% and 2.5%, respectively. This leads to improved habitat connectivity. We suggest several opportunities for regenerating more native patches around the catchment to achieve the recommended minimum 10% target of indigenous cover. However, BGI alone cannot return a full suite of threatened wildlife to the city without predator-fenced breeding sanctuaries and wider pest control across the matrix. The socio-eco-spatial connectivity analysed in this study was formalised in terms of four interacting dimensions.
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Pan, Liyu, Wenquan Gan, Jinliu Chen, and Kunlun Ren. "An Integrated Model for Constructing Urban Ecological Networks and Identifying the Ecological Protection Priority: A Case Study of Wujiang District, Suzhou." Sustainability 15, no. 5 (March 2, 2023): 4487. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su15054487.
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As a result of the rapid urbanisation in China, the ecological system in urban areas has become fragmented, posing a threat to ecological stability. Constructing ecological networks is considered a critical strategy to reconnect habitats, restore ecosystems and improve ecological capacity. This research aims to develop a GIS-based model that can inform urban ecological network construction and identify the priority areas for ecological protection in a given urban context. The methodological prototype considers land use, habitat conditions and human interventions from an integrated perspective and has been tested based on a case study in Wujiang District, Suzhou. The results show that (i) 30 critical ecological patches were identified, including 2 vital, 4 important and 24 general cores; (ii) 69 ecological corridors, including 15 vital, 36 important and 18 general corridors, 59 ecological nodes and 24 barriers were determined. Based on these results, this research identified priority restoration and protected areas that urgently require the restoration of ecological networks according to their importance. This research proposes further recommendations on management strategies for construction and protection guidance at macro and micro levels in accordance with existing territorial and spatial planning of Wujiang. The model developed in this research provides a scientific methodology for planning and optimising ecological networks and can serve as a basis for realising ecological protection.
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Muhammed, Khaleel, Aavudai Anandhi, Gang Chen, and Kevin Poole. "Define–Investigate–Estimate–Map (DIEM) Framework for Modeling Habitat Threats." Sustainability 13, no. 20 (October 12, 2021): 11259. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su132011259.
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As the human population increases, the landscape is altered to provide housing, food, and industry. Human activity poses a risk to the health of natural habitats that, in turn, affect biodiversity. Biodiversity is necessary for a functioning ecosystem, as species work synergistically to create a livable environment. It is, therefore, important to know how human practices and natural events threaten these habitats and the species living in them. A universal method of modeling habitat threats does not exist. This paper details the use of a literature review to formulate a new framework called Define–Investigate–Estimate–Map (DIEM). This framework is a process of defining threats, investigating an area to discover what threats are present, estimating the severity of those threats, and mapping the threats. Analysis of 62 studies was conducted to determine how different authors define and characterize threats in various contexts. The results of this analysis were then applied to a case study to evaluate the Choctawhatchee River and Bay Watershed. Results suggest that the most abundant threat in the watershed is agricultural development, and the most destructive threat is urban development. These two threats have the greatest impact on the total threat level of the watershed. Applying the DIEM framework demonstrates its helpfulness in regional analysis, watershed modeling, and land development planning.
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Muhammed, Khaleel, Aavudai Anandhi, Gang Chen, and Kevin Poole. "Define–Investigate–Estimate–Map (DIEM) Framework for Modeling Habitat Threats." Sustainability 13, no. 20 (October 12, 2021): 11259. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su132011259.
Full textAbstract:
As the human population increases, the landscape is altered to provide housing, food, and industry. Human activity poses a risk to the health of natural habitats that, in turn, affect biodiversity. Biodiversity is necessary for a functioning ecosystem, as species work synergistically to create a livable environment. It is, therefore, important to know how human practices and natural events threaten these habitats and the species living in them. A universal method of modeling habitat threats does not exist. This paper details the use of a literature review to formulate a new framework called Define–Investigate–Estimate–Map (DIEM). This framework is a process of defining threats, investigating an area to discover what threats are present, estimating the severity of those threats, and mapping the threats. Analysis of 62 studies was conducted to determine how different authors define and characterize threats in various contexts. The results of this analysis were then applied to a case study to evaluate the Choctawhatchee River and Bay Watershed. Results suggest that the most abundant threat in the watershed is agricultural development, and the most destructive threat is urban development. These two threats have the greatest impact on the total threat level of the watershed. Applying the DIEM framework demonstrates its helpfulness in regional analysis, watershed modeling, and land development planning.
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Wang, Huina, Lina Tang, Quanyi Qiu, and Huaxiang Chen. "Assessing the Impacts of Urban Expansion on Habitat Quality by Combining the Concepts of Land Use, Landscape, and Habitat in Two Urban Agglomerations in China." Sustainability 12, no. 11 (May 26, 2020): 4346. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12114346.
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Understanding the spatiotemporal variability of habitat quality as a function of land-use changes is important for expanding scientific knowledge of ecological conservation. In this study, the impacts of land-use change on habitat quality were assessed in two urban agglomerations in China at different stages of development, namely (1) the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA), which has reached the middle and late stage of urbanization, and (2) the Golden Triangle of Southern Fujian (GTSF), which has reached the middle and early stage. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) habitat quality model was applied to determine the habitat quality and the degree of habitat degradation in these two agglomerations. Overall, the habitat quality in the YRDUA was found to be clearly inferior to that in the GTSF. In the GTSF, more than 65% of the habitat was of good or excellent quality, whereas in the YRDUA, less than 45% of the habitat reached this quality. By combining the concepts of land use, landscape, and habitat, the boundary of degradation and the general increase in habitat quality from 2000 to 2015 were found to be mainly related to the landform, the dominant landscape, and the concentration of non-habitat areas. Additionally, the type, distribution, and fragmentation of the dominant habitat were shown to play important roles in habitat quality. Moreover, changes in industrial composition over time were demonstrated to be critical drivers of changes in areas of construction land.
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Delgado-Lemus, Tzitzi Sharhí, and Ana Isabel Moreno-Calles. "Agroforestry Contributions to Urban River Rehabilitation." Sustainability 14, no. 13 (June 23, 2022): 7657. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14137657.
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The context of urban rivers is one of pollution of their courses, the degradation of riparian habitats, the loss of biodiversity, and the marginalization of the human populations that live next to them. Due to urban growth, the hydrological dynamics in entire basins and the hydromorphology of rivers are changing. This situation increases flooding, decreases the availability of water for human use, and disconnects the rivers from the dynamics of the city. Agroforestry is the integration of cultural, wild, and domesticated diversity with use, conservation, and restoration objectives. These practices in cities can contribute to addressing the problems mentioned. We analyze agroforestry practices and the socio-ecological contributions to urban river rehabilitation. We review 37 experiences worldwide. Agroforestry practices included in the review are trees and hedgerows; wetland agroforestry; aquatic, botanical, edible, educational, and rain gardens; bioswales; green parking lots; food forestry; vegetation in alleys and streets; vertical terrace walls, among others. Agroforestry contributes to efforts to solve urban river problems, improve water quality and access, restore riparian habitats, enhance river hydromorphology, support local economies, and create a river culture. We emphasize promoting multi-relational people–river interactions based on theoretical and practical frameworks that integrate diverse disciplines, perspectives, and experiences.
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Aldossary, Naief A., Abdulaziz A. Alzahrani, Jamal K. Alghamdi, Ali Alqahtany, Rehan Jamil, and Saleh H. Alyami. "A Procedural Framework to Identify Critical Indicators for the Protection of Environment and Ecosystem during Sustainable Urban Development in South-Western Saudi Arabia." Sustainability 15, no. 1 (December 22, 2022): 195. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su15010195.
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This paper investigates the strategies and priorities to identify the critical indicators for the protection of the environment and ecosystem in the mountain regions of southwest Saudi Arabia, considering the natural resources, renewable energy potential, local economy, urban development issues, and compatibility with the Saudi Vision 2030. The southern region of the country is characterized as having cooler climatic conditions than the other regions of Saudi Arabia and is rich in natural resources and renewable energy potential. It also has potential in the sectors of agriculture, forests, and animal production, and the region’s heritage is valuable for its tourism industry. During the past years, the region is experiencing a misbalance in its resources and population due to a quick increase in urban development. It is seen that there has been no strategy in place for the management of development. Hence, it is important to establish a framework designed to manage urban planning and sprawl that considers the topographical conditions, wildlife and forest protection, and investment in natural and renewable resources. This study employs a focus group approach to investigate these issues. Different expert panels were invited to Al-Baha University in December 2019 to discuss the sustainable development priorities of Saudi Arabia’s southern regions. These included decision-makers from governmental sectors, and academics from the university’s faculties of engineering, economics, sciences, and social sciences. The study highlights the issues of urban sprawl management in cities that impact the environmental conditions and wildlife habitat, concluding that the agriculture and tourism industries are the most important factors that should be targeted by developers in the southwestern regions of the country.
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El-Amier, Yasser A., Ahmed El-Zeiny, El-Sayed F. El-Halawany, Ashraf Elsayed, Mohamed A. El-Esawi, Ahmed Noureldeen, Hadeer Darwish, Amal Al-Barty, and Shrouk A. Elagami. "Environmental and Stress Analysis of Wild Plant Habitat in River Nile Region of Dakahlia Governorate on Basis of Geospatial Techniques." Sustainability 13, no. 11 (June 3, 2021): 6377. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13116377.
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Spatiotemporal environmental changes lead to disturbances in wild plant habitats, particularly in regions characterized by changeable land use and cover. The present study aims to characterize wild plant habitats in the River Nile region of Dakahlia Governorate using a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating remote sensing, GIS and sampling analyses. Twenty-four stands representing the wild plant habitats in the River Nile region were geographically identified, sampled and analyzed. Water and soil samples were investigated for physical and chemical characteristics. Two calibrated multispectral Landsat images dated 1999 and 2019 were processed to produce LULC, NDSI, NDMI and NDSI to characterize wild plan habitats. The floristic composition showed the presence of 64 species belonging to 53 genera and 28 families. Ecologically, the recorded plant species in the present work can be classified into four main categories, which are separated into three communities according to the TWINSPAN classification. Results showed that the annual loss of agricultural lands (3.98 km2) is closely relevant to the annual expansion of urban areas (4.24 km2). Although the uncontrolled urban sprawl caused loss of agricultural lands, it leads to the expansion of wild plant habitats, represented mainly by the sparse class and partially by the moderately dense class as obtained from NDVI. The increase in mean values of the moisture (NDMI) from 0.034 in 1999 to 0.64 in 2019 may have arisen from the increase in total areas of wild plant habitats during the investigated period (1999–2019). This might increase the suitability of conditions for wild habitats which induces the proliferation of natural plants.
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Zou, Hao, and Xiaojun Wang. "Progress and Gaps in Research on Urban Green Space Morphology: A Review." Sustainability 13, no. 3 (January 24, 2021): 1202. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13031202.
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Examining urban green space from the perspective of morphology is an important way to perform the current practice of urban green space planning, preserve and restore the function of urban natural habitats, and maintain good spatial patterns of urban ecological environment. Based on the investigation and analysis of relevant scientific literature on urban green space morphology, we discussed the regional and temporal context and the knowledge frame of the relevant research on urban green space morphology. The frontier methods and technologies within the research category were summarized, including studies on urban green space planning, studies on urban green space pattern and urban landscape pattern, and studies on strategies, planning management, and solutions for sustainable development of urban green space. Finally, the existing problems in urban green space morphology research were discussed, and the future research directions and objectives were proposed.
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Oktay, Derya. "Editorial." Ekistics and The New Habitat 80, no. 1 (June 30, 2021): 1–2. http://dx.doi.org/10.53910/26531313-e2020801578.
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In the last century, Turkey has encountered many urban issues as a consequence of an increasingly urban population characterized by its heterogeneity (diversity). Expansion of urban areas, intensification of developments within existing cities and towns, and the continued proliferation of high-rise and other intensive building types have resulted in the deterioration of the overall character of cities, and the ongoing loss of natural and socio-cultural resources. A multiplicity of design and planning issues is currently to be found in Turkish cities which also face an array of complex challenges in different domains. This complex and challenging situation prompted us to compose this special issue, which marks the return of the Ekistics journal following a pause of thirteen years. I am delighted to have put together the first issue of the journal in its renewed form with an updated title: Ekistics and the New Habitat.
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Tulla, Antoni-Francesc, Ilinca-Valentina Stoica, Marta Pallarès-Blanch, and Daniela Zamfir. "Can Naturbanization Promote Environmentally Friendly Built-Up Areas? A Comparison Between Cadí-Moixeró (Catalonia, Spain) and Comana (Romania) Natural Parks." European Countryside 9, no. 4 (December 20, 2017): 679–708. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/euco-2017-0039.
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Abstract The study compares the on-going naturbanization processes in and around two Natural Parks under the impact of newcomers, but also tourists from Barcelona and Bucharest and their metropolitan areas. The landscape value of these areas attracts the urban population, which contributes to local sustainable development process but also promotes construction. New businesses associated with rural multifunctionality and value-added activities related to environmental quality were identified. New residents have contributed introducing responsible patterns of consumer, ecoentrepreneurship by women, recovery of abandoned buildings and intensification of rural-urban relationships. Negative impacts such as intensive construction of second homes, with a lower use, in some areas around Cadí-Moixeró threaten biodiversity and habitat connectivity. Insufficient integration of environmental policies, particularly in the Comana wetlands, reduces the potential for rural renewal. Research methods included a review of the counterurbanization literature and the statistical data related to processes of naturbanization in both areas, along with the conduct of 30 structured interviews with key local actors in each area. Naturbanization still offers the potential to enhance local development; however, it is urgent to assess social perspectives in natural parks management in order to achieve environmentally friendly built-up areas.
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Heneidy, Selim Z., Yassin M. Al-Sodany, Laila M. Bidak, Amal M. Fakhry, Sania K. Hamouda, Marwa W. A. Halmy, Sulaiman A. Alrumman, Dhafer A. Al-Bakre, Ebrahem M. Eid, and Soliman M. Toto. "Archeological Sites and Relict Landscapes as Refuge for Biodiversity: Case Study of Alexandria City, Egypt." Sustainability 14, no. 4 (February 20, 2022): 2416. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14042416.
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The role of heritage sites as a shelter for biodiversity is overlooked. Eight archeological sites representing different landscapes in Alexandria City were surveyed, from which 59 stands were sampled between April 2019 and March 2021. The archeological sites and the relictual landscapes are geographically dispersed and are arranged here from west to east, representing the full range of environmental variation within the study area. The selection of stands in each site was based on the area and the variability within the habitats, the physiography, and the levels of disturbance. A composite soil sample was collected from each site. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and detrended correspondence analysis (DECORANA) were carried out to identify the plant communities in the study area. The recorded taxa, their national geographical distribution, life forms, habitats, chorological types, and vegetation groups are listed. A total of 221 specific taxa, 172 native and 49 alien non-native species (representing some 10.3% of the whole range of Egyptian flora), belonging to 150 genera and 44 families, are reported in the present study. Only two endemic species were recorded in the studied urban habitats. The phytosociological analysis of the sites showed differences among vegetation types found in the archeological sites as a function of the varying degrees of enthronization. A significant effect of archeological site and relictual landscape on species diversity was observed as indicated using the richness, Shannon’s and Simpson’s indices. Flat plains are substantially more diverse than any of the other habitats in the present study, followed by the habitat of rocky ridge slope. The present study found evidence of an ecological legacy that persists today within the semi-arid climatic ecosystem of Alexandria City. The study highlights the urgent need for measures to maintain cultural landscapes while considering the conservation of biodiversity within the archeological sites. It is hoped that the outcomes of the current study can provide guidance on the potential integration of biodiversity conservation in planning the management of archeological sites.
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Cantor, Mauricio, Letícia Andrade Ferreira, Wesley Rodrigues Silva, and Eleonore Zulnara Freire Setz. "Potential seed dispersal by Didelphis albiventris (Marsupialia, Didelphidae) in highly disturbed environment." Biota Neotropica 10, no. 2 (June 2010): 45–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1676-06032010000200004.
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Urban forests are usually isolated and highly disturbed, however they are important shelters for tolerant animal species. Their food habits expose the different ecological roles these animals perform in the habitat. We analyzed the contribution of Didelphis albiventris Lund (1840), as a seed disperser, to the vegetation renewal of an urban forest fragment, describing its frugivorous diet and testing the viability of ingested seeds. Both male and female of white-eared opossum included a vast variety of items in their diet, mainly invertebrates and fruits. Fruits were consumed during all year round and seasonality was not observed. The majority of consumed fruits was from pioneer plant species, which is common in disturbed areas, in accordance to the opossum's opportunistic habits. The viability of ingested seeds, evaluated by linear logistic regression models applied to data from germination tests, was different of the seeds collected directly from ripe fruits; it varied among species, maybe due to the intrinsic characteristics of plant species. As a highly generalist species, D. albiventris can inhabit disturbed environments and then disperse seeds from pioneer plants, where the vegetation must be restored. It is crucial that this process does not depend only on the specialist frugivores, which are frequently absent in urban forest fragments. Therefore, the presence of generalist species of secondary environments has its importance emphasized.
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Tiwari, Arti, Isaac A. Meir, and Arnon Karnieli. "Object-Based Image Procedures for Assessing the Solar Energy Photovoltaic Potential of Heterogeneous Rooftops Using Airborne LiDAR and Orthophoto." Remote Sensing 12, no. 2 (January 9, 2020): 223. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs12020223.
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Available renewable energy resources play a vital role in fulfilling the energy demands of the increasing global population. To create a sustainable urban environment with the use of renewable energy in human habitats, a precise estimation of solar energy on building roofs is essential. The primary goal of this paper is to develop a procedure for measuring the rooftop solar energy photovoltaic potential over a heterogeneous urban environment that allows the estimation of solar energy yields on flat and pitched roof surfaces at different slopes and in different directions, along with multi-segment roofs on a single building. Because of the complex geometry of roofs, very high-resolution data, such as ortho-rectified aerial photography (orthophotos), and LiDAR data have been used to generate a new object-based algorithm to classify buildings. An overall accuracy index and a Kappa index of agreement (KIA) of 97.39% and 0.95, respectively, were achieved. The paper also develops a new model to create an aspect-slope map, which combines slope orientation with the gradient of the slope and uses it to demonstrate the collective results. This study allows the assessment of solar energy yields through defining solar irradiances in units of pixels over a specific time period. It might be beneficial in terms of more efficient measurements for solar panel installations and more accurate calculations of solar radiation for residents and commercial energy investors.
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Panlasigui, Stephanie, Erica Spotswood, Erin Beller, and Robin Grossinger. "Biophilia beyond the Building: Applying the Tools of Urban Biodiversity Planning to Create Biophilic Cities." Sustainability 13, no. 5 (February 24, 2021): 2450. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13052450.
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In response to the widely recognized negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity, many cities are reimagining urban design to provide better biodiversity support. Some cities have developed urban biodiversity plans, primarily focused on improving biodiversity support and ecosystem function within the built environment through habitat restoration and other types of urban greening projects. The biophilic cities movement seeks to reframe nature as essential infrastructure for cities, seamlessly integrating city and nature to provide abundant, accessible nature for all residents and corresponding health and well-being outcomes. Urban biodiversity planning and biophilic cities have significant synergies in their goals and the means necessary to achieve them. In this paper, we identify three key ways by which the urban biodiversity planning process can support biophilic cities objectives: engaging the local community; identifying science-based, quantitative goals; and setting priorities for action. Urban biodiversity planning provides evidence-based guidance, tools, and techniques needed to design locally appropriate, pragmatic habitat enhancements that support biodiversity, ecological health, and human health and well-being. Developing these multi-functional, multi-benefit strategies that increase the abundance of biodiverse nature in cities has the potential at the same time to deepen and enrich our biophilic experience in daily life.
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Stefanakis, Alexandros. "The Role of Constructed Wetlands as Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Urban Water Management." Sustainability 11, no. 24 (December 6, 2019): 6981. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11246981.
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Nowadays, it is better understood that the benefits of green infrastructure include a series of ecosystem services, such as cooling, water storage and management, recreation and landscaping, among others. Green technologies are still developing to provide sustainable solutions to the problems that modern cities and peri-urban areas face at an ever-increasing rate and intensity. Constructed wetlands technology is an established green multi-purpose option for water management and wastewater treatment, with numerous effectively proven applications around the world and multiple environmental and economic advantages. These systems can function as water treatment plants, habitat creation sites, urban wildlife refuges, recreational or educational facilities, landscape engineering and ecological art areas. The aim of this article is to highlight the synergies between this green technology and urban areas in order to reconnect cities with nature, to promote circularity in the urban context and to apply innovative wetland designs as landscape infrastructure and water treatment solutions. This approach could be a step further in the effort to mitigate the current degradation process of the urban landscape. Following the concept of green infrastructure, the article presents and suggests ways to integrate wetland technology in the urban environment, namely: (i) stormwater and urban runoff management (storage and treatment of water during storm events) to provide protection from flood incidents, especially considering climate change, (ii) innovative low-impact infrastructure and design solutions for urban wastewater treatment, and (iii) wetland technology for habitat creation and ecosystem services provision.
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Marchigiani, Elena, and Bertrando Bonfantini. "Urban Transition and the Return of Neighbourhood Planning. Questioning the Proximity Syndrome and the 15-Minute City." Sustainability 14, no. 9 (May 2, 2022): 5468. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14095468.
Full textAbstract:
European policies acknowledge cities’ major roles in building greener and just urban habitats. When rethinking cities’ spatial organisation, the call is for creating better liveability conditions at the level closest to citizens. In this frame, research into the impacts of COVID-19 has led to a revival of neighbourhood planning and the 15-Minute City has been proposed as a successful model for cities’ recoveries in the name of regained proximity to collective facilities. This article questions the long-lasting neighbourhood image that the 15-Minute City refers to, by exploring recent experiences that renewed its application. We begin with a literature review, and then develop an evidence-based approach to a deeper analysis of policy design and implementation focusing on the Italian city of Milano. Discussion and conclusions highlight critical issues and potentials of the 15-Minute City. If the threat is that of a simplified and rhetorical use of this idea, its ability to gather plural actions under an appealing flagship can be a powerful driver for urban regeneration policies. However, being more than just a reproducible spatial model, the 15-Minute City needs to be handled as a complex planning device, whose effective implementation depends on the specific characteristics of the urban environments it applies to and on the strong intertwining of different policy fields and tools.
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Chmura, Damian, Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Agnieszka Hutniczak, Artur Dyczko, and Gabriela Woźniak. "Novel Ecosystems in the Urban-Industrial Landscape–Interesting Aspects of Environmental Knowledge Requiring Broadening: A Review." Sustainability 14, no. 17 (August 30, 2022): 10829. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su141710829.
Full textAbstract:
Human activity is affecting and transforming the natural environment, changing the ecosystem mosaic and natural biogeochemical processes in urban-industrial landscapes. Among the anthropogenic ecosystems, there are many present features of Novel Ecosystems (NE), e.g., the de novo created habitats on post-mineral excavation sites. The biological nature of the functional mechanisms of Novel Ecosystems is mostly unknown. In natural and semi-natural ecosystems, biodiversity is considered as the primary element influencing ecosystem processes and functioning. The preliminary studies conducted on post-mineral excavation sites have shown that, in poor oligotrophic habitats, the species composition of the assembled vascular plants is non-analogous, distinctive, and not found in natural and semi-natural habitats. This paper aims to present the gaps between scientific identification of the biological mechanisms driving ecosystem processes and functioning (including the expanding areas of Novel Ecosystems created de novo). Among the identified gaps, the following issues should be listed. The detailed identification and understanding of the processes and biodiversity-dependent functioning of Novel Ecosystems is crucial for proper environmental management, particularly when facing the challenges of ecological constraints and of global change. The ecology of Novel Ecosystems is a social and economic issue because of the relationships with densely populated urban-industrial areas.
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Martin, Alexander James Fricke, and Andrew Almas. "Arborists and Urban Foresters Support for Urban Wildlife and Habitat Sustainability: Results of an Urban Ecology-Focused Survey of Arborists." Sustainability 14, no. 23 (November 30, 2022): 15962. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su142315962.
Full textAbstract:
Urbanization is causing fragmentation of natural areas and impacting urban wildlife populations. Sustainability of wildlife and their habitat in arboriculture has focused on three key areas: retaining wildlife snags and beneficial-tree features (e.g., hollows/cavities), education of arborists and the public, and the adoption of systems-level thinking into arboriculture (i.e., the consideration of wildlife in risk matrices and pruning objectives). We surveyed 805 arborists using an international online survey to examine how arborists perceive these key areas of wildlife conservation and sustainability in urban forest management. Systems-level thinking was the highest rated method for arborists to support urban wildlife, followed by the retaining of wildlife snags. Education and the involvement of conservation groups received lower ratings, and the retainment of branches with hollows or cavities received the lowest ratings. In selecting important factors for wildlife snag retainment, arborists were most concerned with tree risk and targets, followed by setting (urban versus rural) and use of the tree by wildlife. Other factors that are the concern of urban ecologists were less important to respondents. Our findings support continued urban ecology education for arborists which focuses on whole/complex systems thinking to develop sustainable urban forest management practices which benefit urban wildlife.
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Zhang, Qiongrui, Xuechao Sun, Kebin Zhang, Zhenni Liao, and Songjun Xu. "Trade-Offs and Synergies of Ecosystem Services in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration." Sustainability 13, no. 16 (August 16, 2021): 9155. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13169155.
Full textAbstract:
Since ecosystem services (ESs) have become effective tools for urban planning, spatiotemporal analysis of regional ESs and a deep understanding of the trade-offs among ESs are of great significance to regional governance. In this study, the spatial and temporal changes of four basic ESs were analyzed by combining statistical data with the InVEST model across the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration, China. The trade-offs among the related ESs were analyzed at the urban agglomeration scale and the city scale by correlation analysis. The results showed that: (1) Construction land increased by 6.78% from 2000 to 2018, while cultivated land and forest decreased. (2) Water yield showed an increasing trend, while carbon storage, food production, and habitat quality showed a downward trend from 2000 to 2018. (3) The four ecosystem services were significantly correlated, with synergies existing between water yield and food production, and between habitat quality and carbon storage, while other relationships are trade-offs. What is more, the scale has little influence on the direction of ES trade-off or synergy but influences the degree of the relationship. This empirical evidence on ES relationships in urban agglomerations can provide a reference for the sustainable development of ESs and efficient management of urban agglomerations.
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Park, Chan Ryul, Sohyeon Suk, and Sumin Choi. "The Functional Traits of Breeding Bird Communities at Traditional Folk Villages in Korea." Sustainability 12, no. 22 (November 10, 2020): 9344. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12229344.
Full textAbstract:
Interaction between nature and human has formulated unique biodiversity in temperate regions. People have conserved and maintained traditional folk villages (TFVs) dominated with houses made of natural materials, arable land and surrounding elements of landscape. Until now, little attention has been given to understand the traits of breeding birds in TFVs of Korea. The aim of this study was to reveal traits of breeding birds in TFVs and get conservative implications for biodiversity. We selected five TFVs: Hahoe maeul (HA), Wanggok maeul (WG), Nagan maeul (NA), Yangdong maeul (YD), and Hangae maeul (HG). We surveyed breeding birds with line transect methods, and analyzed functional traits (diet type and nest type) of birds in TFVs. Among 60 species recorded, Passer montanus (PM), Streptopelia orientalis (SO), Hirundo rustica (HR), Pica pica (PP), Phoenicuros auroreus (PA), Paradoxornis webbiana (PW), Microscelis amaurotis (MA), Carduelis sinica (CA) and Oriolus chinensis (OC) could be potential breeding birds that prefer diverse habitats of TFVs in Korea. Compared to the breeding birds of rural, urban and forest environments, the diversity of nesting types for birds was high in TFVs. The diverse nest types of breeding birds can be linked with habitat heterogeneity influenced by sustainable interaction between nature and human in TFVs in Korea.
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Zhao, Boxuan, Shujie Li, and Zhaoshun Liu. "Multi-Scenario Simulation and Prediction of Regional Habitat Quality Based on a System Dynamic and Patch-Generating Land-Use Simulation Coupling Model—A Case Study of Jilin Province." Sustainability 14, no. 9 (April 28, 2022): 5303. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14095303.
Full textAbstract:
Effectively evaluating and predicting the change trend in regional habitat quality and its response to land-use change is of great significance for promoting regional high-quality and sustainable development. In this study, Jilin Province is taken as an example, and the SD–PLUS coupling model and the habitat quality module of the InVEST model are used to simulate the habitat quality of Jilin Province in 2030. In addition, the population and urbanization rates under the SSPs path are taken as the scenario framework, and the habitat quality changes from 1995 to 2030 are discussed. The results showed that the kappa coefficient of the simulation results was 0.93, and the FoM coefficient was 0.102. The simulation effect was good. The land-use simulation results under the four scenarios were quite different, and the change areas were mainly concentrated in the northwest, southeast, and central urban areas of Jilin Province. From 1995 to 2015, the habitat quality showed spatial distribution characteristics of “high in the southeast and low in the northwest”, and the habitat quality continued to deteriorate. By 2030, the ecological priority scenario (S3) is expected to have the maximum average value of habitat quality. Under this scenario, the scale of ecological land, such as forest, increases, and the scale of construction land is controlled. The minimum habitat quality appeared in the situation of rapid expansion (S2), and the increase in low-quality habitat areas was highly consistent with the expansion trend in urban construction land. In the coordinated development scenario, the growth rate of construction land reached 52.26%, but the average value of habitat quality decreased by only 0.0002, which basically found the balance point between economic development and ecological protection. S4 had a high reference value for the future development of Jilin Province.
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Madhu, Kavya, and Stefan Pauliuk. "Integrating Life Cycle Assessment into the Framework of Environmental Impact Assessment for Urban Systems: Framework and Case Study of Masdar City, Abu Dhabi." Environments 6, no. 9 (September 9, 2019): 105. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/environments6090105.
Full textAbstract:
Planning urban expansion under the interconnected Sustainable Development Goals requires a systemic analysis of its environmental impacts. The benefits of integrating the widely used system analysis tool life cycle assessment (LCA) into the planning process tool environmental impact assessment (EIA) are described in the literature. However, not many applications of such an integration have been conducted. The aim of this study is to refine the framework for integrating LCA into the process of EIA and to apply this framework to an example of urban expansion: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. The integrated framework builds on the complementarity between the scope and assessment steps of the tools and assesses the impacts for the areas of protection: human health, ecosystem, and resources. The framework is then applied to the vehicles, buildings, and infrastructure in the city’s first development phase (DP1). Major environmental stressors include the loss of existing desert ecosystem and the utilization of non-renewable sources of energy at various development stages of DP1. Substituting natural gas-based electricity with solar power could potentially save 46% of current carbon emissions. To mitigate the land transformation impacts, construction of “close-to-nature” artificial habitats, and increased use of low-carbon fuels is suggested.