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- The use of complex adaptive system’s emulation and principles in
planning and managing a biophilic systems transition in Singapore
First page: juae013
Abstract: AbstractCities have been described as complex adaptive systems (CAS). A key aspect of both natural and social CAS is that they are scaler and hierarchical. The research reported in this article looked at the purposeful adoption of CAS principles within the governance structures, socioecological and sociotechnical subsystems of the city state of Singapore in order to deliver urban ecological services. The major objective of the research was to evaluate the degree to which complex adaptive systems restoration, rehabilitation, and emulation and/or principles are holistically being applied across sectors, departments, and agencies to deliver urban ecological services that reach normative goals. The research first analysed the Singapore government’s intersectoral and sectoral ‘Big P’ policy documents. It then analysed whether policies within these are subsequently being incorporated into the ‘small p’ regulatory standards and guidelines as well as projects of relevant departments. The research found the most ‘Big P’ policy documents and to a lesser extent ‘small p’ standards and projects have purposely adopted nature-based solutions in order to deliver intersectoral urban ecological services. However, adoption is often voluntary, as a result, it is largely progressing via pilot schemes and ad hoc projects in places of least resistance. As such, it is not yet being undertaken as a holistic coordinated city-wide transition.
PubDate: Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae013
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Exploring differences in neophobia and anti-predator behaviour between
urban and rural mountain chickadees
First page: juae014
Abstract: AbstractUrbanization is changing natural landscapes worldwide, pushing species to quickly acclimate or adapt if they are to survive in urban environments. Mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli) readily nest in both urban and rural environments without suffering apparent reproductive costs. However, whether urban-nesting chickadees are successful in these environments due to differences in behaviour between urban and rural birds remains untested. We examined the behavioural responses of urban and rural nesting mountain chickadee females when presented with a novel object (red plastic cup) or simulated predator (imitation squirrel model) at the nest. Behavioural responses depended on both the type of model and the habitat. As expected, mountain chickadees responded more strongly to squirrel models than novel objects; however, the magnitude of the difference in response depended on habitat. Urban birds seemingly ignored the novel object, spending little time investigating, and re-entering the nest box quickly. In contrast, rural birds spent more time reacting to the novel object and alarm calling within 5 m of the nest. When presented with a predator model, the urban birds reacted relatively more strongly (compared to the novel stimulus) than rural birds, spending more time within 5 m of the nest and alarm calling. These results suggest that either mountain chickadees in urban environments quickly acclimatize to the presence of novel objects or, potentially, that less neophobic birds disproportionately settle in urban environments or experience positive selection in urban areas. Either way, reduced neophobia may aid in mountain chickadees’ ability to readily and successfully nest in such habitats.
PubDate: Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae014
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- A common chord: to what extent can small urban green space support people
and songbirds'
First page: juae009
Abstract: AbstractLarge, vegetatively diverse, and connected green space is often considered essential to conservation. Yet, these criteria can be impractical when applied to densely populated or under-resourced urban areas and evoke mixed sentiments from people. Conventional urban green space is often smaller, minimally vegetated, and contains open mowed areas that are inadequate for many wildlife species and fail to provide opportunities for nature connection in biodiverse environments. As songbirds are well liked and globally distributed, they present an opportunity to rethink urban green spaces, particularly small urban green spaces, that contain landscape qualities where the needs of people and songbirds converge. We conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed publications to examine the natural, structural, and anthropogenic factors associated with songbird richness in small (<2 ha) urban green spaces. Overall, small urban green spaces that incorporated a variety of habitats and native plant species, particularly trees, supported songbird richness. In some cases, songbird richness in small green spaces was equivalent to richness reported in larger green spaces. Interestingly, connectivity between green spaces was not significant in the majority of articles that examined the factor. This outcome removes a possible obstruction to green space allocation and has the potential to jumpstart the placement of green space into historically and perpetually under-resourced communities. Finally, associations with anthropogenic factors had few positive associations with songbird richness, but this category of factors was also reported the least often. Collectively, these results provide feasible options to improve human health, nature connections, and songbird conservation.
PubDate: Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae009
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Assessing the importance of landscape, anthropogenic and spatial factors
in predicting urban nesting sites: the Columbidae of the city of Rabat
(Morocco) as a case study
First page: juae012
Abstract: AbstractTo adequately control the urban bird populations, the determinants of nest habitat selection must be identified and its processes well understood. In this study, we investigated this issue with regard to Columba palumbus (WP) and Streptopelia decaocto (CD) in the city of Rabat, Morocco. We used data from landscape composition, anthropogenic presence, and spatial structure, to identify the best predictors that cause variation in the CD (84 nests) and WP (141) nest occurrence using generalized linear mixed models and variation partitioning analyses (VP). Our results show that WP nest occurrence was positively associated with urban park cover and long distances to agricultural areas and negatively with short distances to roads. Significant interactions between the average noise intensity and the number of passers-by/5 min and between maximum NDVI and density of roads also explain WP nest occurrence. In CD, the nest occurrence was positively associated with covers of built-up areas and parks, the density of roads, and average noise intensity, and negatively with short distances to roads and the number of passers-by/5 min. The VP revealed that the joint effect of landscape composition and space was the most robust in explaining the WP nests occurrence, whereas the pure fraction of space and the joint effect of human presence and space were the most robust in CD. As CD and WP nest in several Mediterranean cities, it would be worthwhile to test the generality of our results using the same analytical approach in other urban areas.
PubDate: Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae012
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Implications of palustrine wetland configuration on the biodiversity of
urban aquatic macroinvertebrate communities
First page: juae011
Abstract: AbstractAquatic macroinvertebrates (AM) have a special ecological niche in the functionality of urban wetland communities. This class of animals also play a crucial role in urban environmental and water quality assessments through bio-indication and bio-monitoring. However, the continued loss and isolation of palustrine wetlands, driven by urbanization and other anthropogenic processes, result in reduced biodiversity of macroinvertebrate communities. This study sought to determine how palustrine wetland configuration affect biodiversity structure of AM in Nairobi. Wetland configuration attributes of area, perimeter, shape, and edge were examined. For wetland biodiversity, family richness and Shannon index of diversity were assessed. It was hypothesized that wetland configuration affects the biodiversity of AM. From a population of 303 wetlands, this study used heterogeneous sampling to identify and investigate 31 palustrine wetlands spread across the city of Nairobi. Data were collected using observation checklists and archival review. Correlations and multiple regression analysis were performed in IBM SPSS Statistics 21. It was found that wetland configuration significantly affected the biodiversity of AM at R2 = 0.587, F (6, 23) = 5.447, P < 0.001. The study highlights the need to identify the optimum wetland configuration pattern for the biotic enhancement and conservation of AM in palustrine wetland habitats in urban landscapes. Consequently, the ecological stability of urban wetland communities, their accessibility, as well as the innate affection by urban residents, become a desired conservation goal in urban planning and design.
PubDate: Thu, 02 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae011
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Morphological and biochemical changes in Quercus humboldtii in response to
warmer and polluted urban areas in a tropical Andean city
First page: juae010
Abstract: AbstractThe rapid growth of urban population has significantly changed human settlement patterns, leading to a decline in air quality and changes in climatic conditions in urban areas. Trees are recognized as nature-based solutions because they can remove particles from the air and regulate the climate. However, trees are negatively affected by pollution and temperatures, which represent a challenge for urban planning, management, and human health. To assess the impact of urban pollution and warmer climates on functional traits, we conducted a study using Quercus humboldtii, an endangered tree species endemic to Colombia and Panamá that dominates Andean forests and urban green areas in Bogotá. We selected three localities with contrasting pollution levels and climate conditions and measured 10 morphological and biochemical traits in six individuals at each location. Our findings revealed that Q. humboldtii adjusted morphological and biochemical traits in response to the environmental challenges posed by urban environments. The functional strategies varied between individuals with thin and large leaves and acidic pH in the colder and unpolluted native forest, while others displayed a conservative resource strategy (high leaf dry matter content) and neutral pH in the warmer and most polluted locality. Despite these differences, several traits indicate that Q. humboldtii is not a species tolerant to pollution. This is further supported by the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) values. Our results suggest that Q. humboldtii should be planted in areas of Bogotá with low pollution levels in order to promote its long-term survival and support ecosystem services.
PubDate: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae010
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Biotic and abiotic factors drive multi-trophic interactions among spiders
at different spatial scales in urban greenspaces
First page: juae008
Abstract: AbstractUrbanization is often detrimental to biodiversity, yet urban greenspaces can be managed to provide habitat for many arthropods. Understanding how anthropogenic filters influence processes of community assembly in urban ecosystems will inform conservation of species such as spiders, which provide natural pest control. Spiders are abundant in urban areas, but the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors for structuring spider communities in urban greenspaces is unclear. We initiated the Cleveland Pocket Prairie Project in the legacy city of Cleveland, Ohio, where vacant lots and urban prairies were established across eight inner-city neighborhoods. In each greenspace, spiders were collected along with landscape and local environmental data in July 2017. Using a path analysis approach, we investigated the relative importance and strength of landscape and local environmental filters for influencing the structure of spider communities during mid-summer within this system. We found that spider community assembly was influenced by multiple abiotic and biotic drivers across spatial scales related to landscape composition, soil texture and quality, prey breadth, and habitat management designs. Web-building and active hunting spiders responded differently to these landscape and local drivers, highlighting the need to incorporate a functional perspective when studying community assembly. These findings suggest that a multi-scale approach to conservation management is needed to support biodiversity and associated biological control services in urban ecosystems.
PubDate: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae008
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- How free-ranging Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius) forage in urban
areas' A study from Kolkata, India
First page: juae007
Abstract: AbstractForaging behaviour plays a significant role in the fitness of animals and is influenced by habitat quality. Habitat change due to rapid urbanization often results in altered behaviour and resource use patterns in animals thriving in such changed habitats. Bats play a crucial role as tree pollinators, seed dispersers and forest regenerators. Particularly in urban areas they are among the few pollinators that help regenerating the urban green spaces. Therefore, it is crucial to understand their foraging patterns in these human-dominated landscapes. Loss and degradation of roost and foraging resources threatens the survival of many bat species, including Indian Flying Foxes (IFF). Still, very few studies have been carried out on their feeding behaviour and ecology. Hence, we carried out this study to (i) identify the foraging sites of IFF, (ii) find out the urban land cover features influencing their foraging site selection and (iii) to identify the foraging trees used by them in urban areas. IFFs were observed to forage on 16 species of trees belonging to 10 families in four different sites in urban areas, of which Ficus species are most important. Amongst various urban land covers, the area of tree cover in the foraging sites were found to significantly influence the number of foraging IFFs. Our findings strongly advocate for the protection of the trees preferred by IFFs along with overall urban tree canopy covers, as these are essential resources for the survival of bats, as well as many other species in urban areas.
PubDate: Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae007
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- The metropolitan parks of Quito as important carbon sinks
First page: juae005
Abstract: Abstract Despite the importance of urban forests as important carbon sinks, studies in Ecuador have yet to assess their potential to store carbon. We assessed the carbon stored in the aboveground biomass (AGB) and annual rates of AGB accumulation in the Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park (GMP) and the Southern Metropolitan Park (SMP). We installed 11 plots per park of 0.063 ha, where we surveyed all stems with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥2.5 cm. To estimate annual increments in AGB, we installed dendrometer bands on 10% of the total stems recorded in each plot (only in stems with ≥10 cm DBH). We measured the dendrometer band segment increase every 4 months from September 2019 to October 2020. Our results show that the GMP stores 171 ± 96 Mg C ha−1, significantly higher than the amount of carbon storage recorded in the SMP (100 ± 41 Mg C ha−1). In contrast, the GMP sequestered 3.30 ± 1.71 Mg C ha year−1, while the SMP sequestered an average of 4.45 ± 2.63 Mg C ha year−1. At the landscape scale, the SMP contains 0.072 Tg C (0.058–0.091, 95% CI), while the GMP contains a reservoir of 0.096 Tg C (0.067–0.13, 95% CI). Likewise, the AGB in the SMP 3,165 Mg C year−1 (2209–4297, 95% CI), while that in the GMP sequestered 1859 Mg year−1 (1361–2430, 95% CI). Our results show that the metropolitan parks of Quito are important carbon sinks and constitute essential elements in mitigating climate change in urban spaces.
PubDate: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae005
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Beyond the metropolis: street tree communities and resident perceptions on
ecosystem services in small urban centers in India
First page: juae004
Abstract: AbstractAlthough 41% of the global urban population lives in smaller cities, the nature and trajectories of urban nature, ecosystem services and human-nature connections in smaller centers is relatively unknown. While megacities in developed countries move towards biophilic urban planning and participatory decision making, basic information on tree communities and their perceived services is a bottleneck in achieving these goals in such small urban centers. Through a combination of field measurements (258 transects, 931 trees) and semi-structured interviews (497 individuals), we assessed the street tree community and resident perceptions of ecosystem service values in two coastal cities on the west coast of India that are under rapid change. We found that mean street tree density is low in both cities, and corresponds to perceptions of recent change in tree cover (−28% in Kochi, −11% in Panjim). The street tree community in both cities were dominated by ornamental avenue trees such as Albizia saman and Peltophorum pterocarpum, but native coastal species like Cocos nucifera, Terminalia catappa and Thespesia populnea were also common. Despite recent urban growth, residents in both cities reported low value of trees for food, fodder and medicine, but high value for regulating services like shade and water. Moreover, we found strong evidence for aesthetic and cultural values of trees in both cities. Our study establishes critical baselines for biophilic planning in these small urban centers towards urban sustainability in India.
PubDate: Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae004
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- There is a place for every animal, but not in my back yard: a survey on
attitudes towards urban animals and where people want them to live
First page: juae006
Abstract: AbstractAnimals are a constant presence in urban environments. While there is a handful of studies that have addressed which urban animals people like, there is little knowledge on where in the city people want them to be. There is the risk of a misalignment between human urban inhabitants’ specific desires for more nature in cities and the results of urban renaturing initiatives. We conducted an online survey on inhabitants of Munich (Germany) to investigate their attitudes towards 32 different urban animals and where they want them to occur. These places ranged from their own home or garden, to different places within the city, and to outside of the city. In total, 10 000 flyers were distributed in houses surrounding 40 city squares, and 305 people participated. We found that people rather placed animals further away than close to home. There were clear differences between different animal species in where they were placed by people, from species being placed close to home, to species wanted only outside the city. There were also clear differences in attitude towards the different animals, and participants on averaged placed animals closer to home if they liked them more. People have clear preferences for the placing of different animals in an urban context. Knowledge on these preferences can help to design targeted conservation actions and environmental education programs.
PubDate: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae006
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Comparing fear responses of two lizard species across habitats varying in
human impact
First page: juae002
Abstract: AbstractAnimals that are successful in urban habitats often have reduced antipredator responses toward people (sometimes called “fear” responses). However, few studies test whether sympatric species differ in their responses to humans, which may explain differing sensitivities to urbanization. Here, we quantified the behavioral and physiological responses to humans in two lizard species, side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) and western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis), across three different habitat types that vary in human impact: natural habitats with low levels of human activity, natural habitats with high levels of human activity, and urban habitats. We found that side-blotched lizards had longer flight initiation distances, were found closer to a refuge, and were more likely to hide than fence lizards, behaviors that could indicate greater fearfulness. Both lizard species were found closer to a refuge and were also more likely to hide in the urban habitat than in the natural habitat with low human impact, which could represent adaptive behaviors for increased risks in urban areas (e.g. cats). Western fence lizards exhibited lower body sizes and conditions in the habitats with moderate and high levels of human activity, whereas these traits did not differ among habitats in side-blotched lizards. Baseline and stress-induced corticosterone concentrations did not differ across habitats for both species, suggesting that human-impacted habitats were not stressful or that lizards had undergone habituation-like processes in these habitats. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of standardized measurements across multiple species in the same habitats to understand differential responses to human-induced environmental change.
PubDate: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae002
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Management dampens seasonal variability in soil microclimates and alters
its chemical and physical properties in a semi-arid region
First page: juae001
Abstract: AbstractThe urbanization process substantially alters every aspect of the soil environment. In this study, we compared soil microclimate, chemistry, and physical characteristics of unmanaged natural soils with managed soils of three common urban land uses (stormwater natural treatment systems, ornamentally landscaped areas, and lawns) across three University of California campuses. Over the course of 1-year, average monthly soil temperatures among land uses showed fewer than expected differences. Average monthly soil moisture reflected wet and dry seasonal changes, but this pattern was muted in managed land uses compared to natural soils due to irrigation. From April through December, lawns and landscaped areas were significantly wetter than natural soils (e.g. 1.5–3 times higher in August and September). Soil organic matter, total carbon, and total nitrogen were significantly higher in lawns compared to other land uses, while their bulk density was significantly lower. Principle component analysis confirmed that natural and lawn soil properties were distinct from each other. These differences in the managed soils, particularly lawns, are attributable to typical urban land management practices such as fertilization, irrigation, and the installation of organic-rich sod. As urbanization continues to change the native landscape of semi-arid regions, these changes to soil microclimate, chemistry, and physical characteristics are important to consider for urban best practices and sustainable development.
PubDate: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae001
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
- Patterns of water-wise residential landscaping in a drought-prone city
First page: juae003
Abstract: AbstractThe replacement of turf lawns with water-wise landscaping has become a common tactic for water conservation in drought-prone cities and is often incentivized through rebate programs that subsidize the cost of turf conversion. The impact of rebate programs increases if neighbors are inspired to adopt water-wise landscaping independently. However, turf conversion is expensive even with a rebate, and residents may have non-financial reasons for maintaining lawns or installing water-wise landscaping independently. We explored the distribution of water-wise yards and rebate recipients in relation to sociodemographic and biophysical landscape characteristics across the city of Sacramento, California, USA. For 100 census tracts in Sacramento, we visually assessed the landscaping in front of every single-family home to classify it as water-wise or conventional. We found that ∼10% of 109,062 sampled yards were water-wise, while only 0.3% were rebate recipients. We also found that water-wise yards were clustered, suggesting a neighborhood adoption effect. Water-wise yards and rebate recipients were positively correlated with educational attainment, white population, income, and tree canopy, and negatively correlated with July temperature and households with children. Our research shows that most water-wise landscaping in Sacramento has been installed without rebates, in areas with greater shading and socioeconomic status. Rebates did not appear to offset barriers to turf conversion, but may inspire neighborhood adoption. Our findings suggest that while water-wise landscaping is becoming more prevalent, it is not accessible or desirable for all residents, potentially contributing to uneven distributions of urban water use and ecosystem services.
PubDate: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT
DOI: 10.1093/jue/juae003
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
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