scholarly journals Who benefits from urban green spaces during times of crisis? Perception and use of urban green spaces in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 127354
Author(s):  
Bianca Lopez ◽  
Christopher Kennedy ◽  
Christopher Field ◽  
Timon Mcphearson
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces

Maintaining and Improving Biodiversity in Urban Centers: Landscape Spatial Design in Mexico City and New York City

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Zambrano ◽  
Steven N Handel ◽  
Tania Fernandez ◽  
Isabel Brostella
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
York City ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Green Spaces

Abstract ContextLarge cities contain different sizes and distributions of green spaces in a sea of buildings and roads. This urban landscape establishes the habitat for different species that persist in cities.ObjectivesHow does this “archipelago” of habitat space function? How does the arrangement of green spaces affect plant and animal species' biodiversity and movement through this urban pattern?MethodsBy using Patch Analyst Metrics, we propose a novel method to analyze and improve the current spatial arrangement of green spaces using Mexico City and New York City, long-established urban areas.ResultsThe two cities differ in the number, size, and spatial distribution of green spaces. Frequency analysis suggests that Mexico City has a high number of large green spaces for native species conservation; but most of them are in one vast cluster of green areas at the south. In New York City large spaces are distributed along the whole territory, comprising most potential habitats, but it has much more small areas. This spatial analysis shows particular areas in which both cities have the potential to add connectivity among existing green spaces for dispersal of many taxa of plants and animals. ConclusionsMuch data is available on the potential dispersion through cities, but a better framework for understanding the existing distribution is needed for future landscape decisions. Results suggest ways that new urban areas can better increase plant and animal movement patterns.

scholarly journals Tweeting the High Line Life: A Social Media Lens on Urban Green Spaces

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8895
Author(s):  
Jisoo Sim ◽  
Patrick Miller ◽  
Samarth Swarup
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Housing Prices ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Social Media Analytics ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
High Line ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Media Data

The objective of this study is to investigate elevated parks as urban green spaces using social media data analytics. Two popular elevated parks, the High Line Park in New York and the 606 in Chicago, were selected as the study sites. Tweets mentioning the two parks were collected from 2015 to 2019. By using text mining, social media users’ sentiments and conveyed perceptions about the elevated parks were studied. In addition, users’ activities and their satisfaction were analyzed. For the 606, users mainly enjoyed the free events at the park and worried about possible increases in housing prices and taxes because of the 606. They tended to participate in physical activities such as biking and walking. Although the 606 provides scenic observation points, users did not seem to enjoy these. Regarding the High Line, users frequently mentioned New York City, which is an important aspect of the identity of the park. The High Line users also frequently mentioned arts and relaxation. Overall, this study supports the idea that social media analytics can be used to gain an understanding of the public’s use of urban green spaces and their attitudes and concerns.

scholarly journals Urban park size, genetic variation, and historical demography of white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) populations in New York City

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Munshi-South ◽  
Christopher Nagy
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
York City ◽  
Urban Parks ◽  
Historical Demography ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
D Loop ◽  
Genetic Bottlenecks ◽  
Recent Bottleneck

Severe fragmentation is a typical fate of native remnant habitats in cities, and urban wildlife with limited dispersal ability are predicted to lose genetic variation in isolated urban patches. However, little information exists on the extent of habitat required in urban green spaces to conserve genetic variation. In this study, we examine whether isolation in New York City (NYC) parks results in genetic bottlenecks in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), and test the hypothesis that park size is associated with genetic variability using nonlinear regression and information-theoretic model selection. White-footed mice have previously been documented to exhibit male-biased dispersal, which may create disparities in genetic variation between males and females in urban parks. We use genotypes of 18 neutral microsatellite data and four different statistical tests to assess this prediction. Given that sex-biased dispersal may create disparities between population genetic patterns inferred from bi- vs. uni-parentally inherited markers, we also sequenced a 324 bp segment of the mitochondrial D-loop for independent inferences of historical demography variation in urban P. leucopus. We report that isolation in urban parks does not necessarily result in genetic bottlenecks; only three out of 14 populations in NYC parks exhibited a signature of a recent bottleneck at 18 neutral microsatellite loci. Mouse populations in larger urban parks also do not generally contain greater genetic variation than populations in smaller parks. These results should be encouraging to conservation biologists working in human-dominated landscapes, as even small networks of green spaces may be sufficient to maintain self-sustaining populations and evolutionary potential of native species. We also found that isolation in urban parks results in weak to nonexistent sex-biased dispersal in a species known to exhibit male-biased dispersal in less fragmented environments. In contrast to nuclear loci, mitochondrial D-loop haplotypes exhibited a mutational pattern of demographic expansion after a recent bottleneck or selective sweep. Estimates of the timing of this expansion indicate that it occurred concurrent with urbanization of NYC over the last few dozens to hundreds of years. Given the general non-neutrality of mtDNA in many systems and evidence of selection on related coding sequences in urban P. leucopus, we argue that the P. leucopus mitochondrial genome experienced recent negative selection against haplotypes not favored in isolated urban parks. In general, rapid adaptive evolution driven by urbanization, global climate change, and other human-caused factors is underappreciated by evolutionary biologists, but many more cases will likely be documented in the near future.

scholarly journals Urban park characteristics, genetic variation, and historical demography of white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) populations in New York City

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Munshi-South ◽  
Christopher Nagy
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
York City ◽  
Urban Parks ◽  
Historical Demography ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
D Loop ◽  
Genetic Bottlenecks ◽  
Recent Bottleneck

Severe fragmentation is a typical fate of native remnant habitats in cities, and urban wildlife with limited dispersal ability are predicted to lose genetic variation in isolated urban patches. However, little information exists on the characteristics of urban green spaces required to conserve genetic variation. In this study, we examine whether isolation in New York City (NYC) parks results in genetic bottlenecks in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), and test the hypotheses that park size and time since isolation are associated with genetic variability using nonlinear regression and information-theoretic model selection. White-footed mice have previously been documented to exhibit male-biased dispersal, which may create disparities in genetic variation between males and females in urban parks. We use genotypes of 18 neutral microsatellite data and four different statistical tests to assess this prediction. Given that sex-biased dispersal may create disparities between population genetic patterns inferred from bi- vs. uni-parentally inherited markers, we also sequenced a 324 bp segment of the mitochondrial D-loop for independent inferences of historical demography in urban P. leucopus. We report that isolation in urban parks does not necessarily result in genetic bottlenecks; only three out of 14 populations in NYC parks exhibited a signature of a recent bottleneck at 18 neutral microsatellite loci. Mouse populations in larger urban parks, or parks that have been isolated for shorter periods of time, also do not generally contain greater genetic variation than populations in smaller parks. These results suggest that even small networks of green spaces may be sufficient to maintain the evolutionary potential of native species with certain characteristics. We also found that isolation in urban parks results in weak to nonexistent sex-biased dispersal in a species known to exhibit male-biased dispersal in less fragmented environments. In contrast to nuclear loci, mitochondrial D-loop haplotypes exhibited a mutational pattern of demographic expansion after a recent bottleneck or selective sweep. Estimates of the timing of this expansion suggest that it occurred concurrent with urbanization of NYC over the last few dozens to hundreds of years. Given the general non-neutrality of mtDNA in many systems and evidence of selection on related coding sequences in urban P. leucopus, we argue that the P. leucopus mitochondrial genome experienced recent negative selection against haplotypes not favored in isolated urban parks. In general, rapid adaptive evolution driven by urbanization, global climate change, and other human-caused factors is underappreciated by evolutionary biologists, but many more cases will likely be documented in the near future.

Parks are Critical Urban Infrastructure: Perception and Use of Urban Green Spaces in NYC During COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Lopez ◽  
Christopher Kennedy ◽  
Timon McPhearson
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Urban Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Funding Policy ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Impact

Urban green spaces provide a range of environmental and health benefits, which may become even more critical during times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, with a radical shift in mobility, additional concerns over safety, and access temporarily restricted during the implementation of social distancing policies, the experience and use of urban green spaces may be reduced. This is particularly concerning for densely populated cities like New York, considered the first U.S. epicenter or vanguard of the outbreak. To better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the perception and use of urban green spaces, we conducted a social survey during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York City (May 13 - June 15, 2020). The results of the survey show respondents continued to use urban green spaces during the pandemic and consider them to be more important for mental and physical health than before the pandemic began. However, the study revealed a pattern of concerns residents have about green space accessibility and safety, and found key differences between the concerns and needs of different populations, suggesting a crucial role for inclusive decision-making, support for additional management strategies, and urban ecosystem governance that reflect the differential values, needs and concerns of communities across the City. As urban centers face looming budget cuts and reduced capacity, this study provides some empirical evidence to illustrate the value of urban green spaces as critical urban infrastructure, and may have implications for funding, policy, and management, of urban green spaces in NYC, with potential applications to other cities, particularly during times of crisis.

scholarly journals Parks are Critical Urban Infrastructure: Perception and Use of Urban Green Spaces in NYC During COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Lopez ◽  
Christopher Kennedy ◽  
Timon McPhearson
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Urban Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Funding Policy ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Impact

Urban green spaces provide a range of environmental and health benefits, which may become even more critical during times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, with a radical shift in mobility, additional concerns over safety, and access temporarily restricted during the implementation of social distancing policies, the experience and use of urban green spaces may be reduced. This is particularly concerning for densely populated cities like New York, considered the first U.S. epicenter or vanguard of the outbreak. To better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the perception and use of urban green spaces, we conducted a social survey during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York City (May 13 - June 15, 2020). The results of the survey show respondents continued to use urban green spaces during the pandemic and consider them to be more important for mental and physical health than before the pandemic began. However, the study revealed a pattern of concerns residents have about green space accessibility and safety, and found key differences between the concerns and needs of different populations, suggesting a crucial role for inclusive decision-making, support for additional management strategies, and urban ecosystem governance that reflect the differential values, needs and concerns of communities across the City. As urban centers face looming budget cuts and reduced capacity, this study provides some empirical evidence to illustrate the value of urban green spaces as critical urban infrastructure, and may have implications for funding, policy, and management, of urban green spaces in NYC, with potential applications to other cities, particularly during times of crisis.

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