A step towards understanding the relationship between species diversity and psychological restoration of visitors in urban green spaces using landscape heterogeneity

In the current context of global urbanization, interdisciplinary research is needed to identify planning and management practices in urban green spaces (UGS) that would enhance both biodiversity and visitors’ well-being. The perception of landscape heterogeneity, a core ecological concept, has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on visitors’ psychological restoration. In order to apply these findings within UGS to planning and management practices, we need to characterize visitors’ perception of landscape heterogeneity. We gathered data on 390 visitors’ perception of landscape heterogeneity. Our results highlighted that visitors perceive landscape heterogeneity through the mixing of different heights of three vegetation strata and flower areas. Planning and management practices should enhance this landscape aspect within UGS to simultaneously promote biodiversity and visitors’ psychological well-being.

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An Analysis of Soils in Various Type of Urban Green Spaces Based on the Soil Organic Matter Quality

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-21200 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hanmin Choi ◽

Youjin Kim ◽

Inhye Seo ◽

Gayoung Yoo

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Urban Soil ◽

Green Space ◽

Soil Health ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Urban Park ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

The Relationship

Urban soil is the foundation of ecosystem functioning in urban green spaces, which plays an important role in sustainable urbanization. To maintain the ecosystem services provided by urban green space, it is important to manage and monitor the urban soil using appropriate evaluation parameters. Given that the urban soil is under direct and indirect influence of anthropogenic factors, the characteristics of urban ecosystem should be considered when assessing the soil quality. My research group already suggested a new soil quality parameter set for urban roadside soils, which is composed of soil penetration resistance (PR), pH, the C/H ratio of particulate organic matter (POM-C/H), POM-N, and soil microbial respiration (RES). This parameter set indicated that the urban soil has very unique quality of soil organic matter (SOM) and it should be considered as well as SOM quantity when assessing the urban soil status. In this study, we aimed at assessing the SOM quality in various types of urban green space using the C/H ratio and N of POM and analyzing the relationship between SOM quality and soil RES. Soil RES was regarded as a representative parameter for overall soil health and used as a dependent variable. The study was conducted in three different types of urban green spaces, which are roadside, urban park, and riverside green in Seoul, Korea. In each type of green space, three sites were selected varing in the degree of human disturbance. Soil samples were collected from the 0-15 cm depth, passed through 2mm sieve and dried before analysis. The POM was separated after wet sieving using 53 um screen and the C, N, and H contents of POM were measured using combustion analysis using the Carlo Erba NS Analyzer Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy). We calculated the POM-C/H as a proxy for aromaticity, which increases with high non-degradable OM. To trace the source of SOM, we measured the N stable isotope ratio of POM (POM-&#948;15N). On the same day of soil sampling, soil RES was measured on-site using the EGM CO2 Gas Analyzer PP Systems, MA, USA). We performed multiple regression to analyze the relationship between SOM quality and soil RES. The POM C/H was higher in roadside soil than urban park, which means the urban roadside soil has a significantly higher amount of non-biodegradable compounds such as PAH. This further implies that OM quality is significantly different among types of urban green spaces. Using the POM delta N value, we found that OM in the roadside soils was originated from sewage sludge, animal urine/feces as well as atmospheric deposition. Analysis of OM source tracing in the urban park and riverside soil will be conducted. There was a negative correlation between POM C/H ratio and soil RES, which indicates the poor soil health condition partly due to low OM quality. In conclusion, this study clarifies the importance of OM quality for assessing the soil in urban green spaces affected by anthropogenic factors and indicates that the SOM quality management needs to be established.

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The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space: An Avenue for Health Promotion

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16030452 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 452 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Viniece Jennings ◽

Omoshalewa Bamkole

Keyword(s):

Social Cohesion ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Green Space ◽

Well Being ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

The Relationship ◽

Health And Well Being

Social cohesion involves the interpersonal dynamics and sense of connection among people. Increased social cohesion can be associated with various physical and psychological health benefits. The presence of urban green spaces can encourage positive social interactions that cultivate social cohesion in ways that enhance health and well-being. Urban green spaces have also been linked to positive health behaviors and outcomes including increased physical activity and social engagement. Understanding the relationship between social cohesion and urban green space is important for informing holistic approaches to health. In this article, we discuss how positive interactions in urban green space can catalyze social cohesion, social capital and critical health-promoting behaviors that may enhance psychological health and well-being. We also summarize the strengths and limitations of previous studies and suggest directions for future research.

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Is the Qi experience related to the flow experience? Practicing qigong in urban green spaces

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0240180 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0240180

Author(s):

Shih-Han Hung ◽

Ching-Yung Hwang ◽

Chun-Yen Chang

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Methods ◽

East Asian ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Flow Experience ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

High Level ◽

The Mind ◽

The Relationship ◽

Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

People experience a healthy energy gained from the environment and an inner feeling, called the Qi experience. The flow experience has been a popular topic in Western studies, especially within the fields of psychology and health, and in all kinds of activities. Our current study used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the relationship between the Qi experience and the flow experience. After collecting data using open-ended questions, we integrated and connected the Qi experience into five orientations: (1) the feeling of Qi; (2) the mind; (3) Qi and consciousness; (4) physical, mental, and spiritual benefits; and (5) the feeling of Tao. The results revealed a high level of consistency between the flow experience and the Qi experience (r = 0.90, p<0.00, which supports the conclusion that the concept of the flow experience in Qigong activity seems to be the same as that in East Asian disciplines, called the Qi experience.

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Characterising urban green space density and accessibility in models of BMI

10.21203/rs.2.14642/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Philip Carthy ◽

Sean Lyons ◽

Anne Nolan

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Green Space ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Marginal Effect ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Combining Data ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background : While exposure to urban green spaces has been associated with various physical health benefits, the evidence linking these spaces to lower BMI, particularly among older people, is mixed. We suggest that dimensions of urban green space accessibility, which are generally unobserved in the existing literature, may be a source of this volatility in results. The aim of this study is to add to the literature on the association between urban green space and BMI by considering alternative measures of urban green space that incorporate measures of footpath availability. Methods: We conduct a cross-sectional study combining data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and detailed land use information. We proxy respondents’ exposure to urban green spaces at their residential addresses in network buffers, which are adjusted to account for the density of local footpaths. Generalised linear models are used to test the association between exposure to accessible urban green space and BMI. Results: Relative to the third quintile, exposure to the lowest quintile of urban green space, as measured within a 1600m accessible network buffer, is associated with slightly higher BMI (marginal effect: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.16-1.44). The results, however, are not robust to small changes in how green space is measured and no statistically significant association between urban green spaces and BMI is found under other variants of our regression model. Conclusion : The relationship between urban green spaces and BMI among older adults is highly sensitive to the characterisation of local green space. Our results suggest that there are some other unobserved factors, other than footpath availability, that mediate the relationship between urban green spaces and weight status.

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Characterising urban green space density and footpath-accessibility in models of BMI

10.21203/rs.2.14642/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Philip Carthy ◽

Sean Lyons ◽

Anne Nolan

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Green Space ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Marginal Effect ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Combining Data ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background: While exposure to urban green spaces has been associated with various physical health benefits, the evidence linking these spaces to lower BMI, particularly among older people, is mixed. We ask whether footpath availability, generally unobserved in the existing literature, may mediate exposure to urban green space and help explain this volatility in results. The aim of this study is to add to the literature on the association between urban green space and BMI by considering alternative measures of urban green space that incorporate measures of footpath availability. Methods: We conduct a cross-sectional study combining data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and detailed land use information. We proxy respondents’ exposure to urban green spaces at their residential addresses using street-side and area buffersthat take account of the presence of footpaths. Generalised linear models are used to test the association between exposure to several measures of urban green space and BMI. Results: Relative to the third quintile, exposure to the lowest quintile of urban green space, as measured within a 1600m footpath-accessible network buffer, is associated with slightly higher BMI (marginal effect: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.16-1.44). The results, however, are not robust to small changes in how green space is measured and no statistically significant association between urban green spaces and BMI is found under other variants of our regression model. Conclusion: The relationship between urban green spaces and BMI among older adults is highly sensitive to the characterisation of local green space. Our results suggest that there are some unobserved factors other than footpath availability that mediate the relationship between urban green spaces and weight status.

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Homogenization of tree species diversity in urban green spaces along a temperature gradient in eastern China

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening ◽

10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127388 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 66 ◽

pp. 127388

Author(s):

Yi Chen ◽

Ying Ge ◽

Zhaoping Wu ◽

Yan Ouyang ◽

Guofu Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Temperature Gradient ◽

Tree Species ◽

Eastern China ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Tree Species Diversity ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces

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Thrips species diversity in urban green spaces of Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province), China

Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research ◽

10.4081/jear.2014.1828 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 85 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Mirab-balou ◽

X.L. Tong ◽

X.X. Chen

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Zhejiang Province ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Thrips Species ◽

Green Areas ◽

The City ◽

New Distribution

Research was conducted on the fauna of Thysanoptera in the urban green spaces of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, during 2008- 2012. The thrips were collected in different plant communities (mainly in parks) in the city. A total of 26 species from 19 genera in three different families were collected, among them Scolothrips latipennis Priesner, which is newly recorded for the fauna of China. New distribution records of seven species in China are reported. Results of the research indicate that the fauna of thrips of green areas of Hangzhou was quite abundant and diversified, and the occurrence of Selenothrips, Scirtothrips, Thrips, Frankliniella and Haplothrips species seems diverse and should be investigated further.

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The effect of urban green roof design on beetle biodiversity

10.21203/rs.3.rs-164289/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sydney Gonsalves ◽

Olyssa Starry ◽

Alexander Szallies ◽

Stephan Brenneisen

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Native Species ◽

Green Roof ◽

Ground Level ◽

Green Roofs ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Design Elements ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Invertebrate Diversity

Abstract The value of urban green spaces to biodiversity conservation depends on the design and management. The importance of habitat quality and complexity to species diversity has led to the suggestion that habitat design elements—varied substrate depth, greater plant diversity, logs or stones—would support invertebrate diversity on green roofs. To evaluate this possibility, we conducted pit-fall trap sampling on three green roofs of simple design (intended primarily for stormwater management), three habitat roofs, and five ground-level green spaces, in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Beetles (Coleoptera) were sampled as representatives of total invertebrate diversity. Diversity was compared using sample coverage and Hill numbers to account for differences in sample intensity and fundamental differences in species diversity. Both habitat roofs and ground sites consisted of just over 20% native species, while stormwater roofs had about 5% native species, all of which were considered pests. We collected a greater abundance of beetles on the ground compared to roof sites like others have shown. However, when sample completeness is taken into account, habitat roofs had greater Shannon diversity compared to both ground and stormwater roof sites. Habitat roofs had the fewest dominant species representing 5% or more of total abundance, but also the lowest percent of species represented by singletons (27%). These results indicate that green roofs can support different beetle communities compared to those present at ground-level urban green spaces; our results also support previous findings that biodiverse design can reliably increase green roof diversity compared to more simply designed roofs.

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