scholarly journals The ectomycorrhizal community of urban linden trees in Gdańsk, Poland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Olchowik ◽  
Marzena Suchocka ◽  
Paweł Jankowski ◽  
Tadeusz Malewski ◽  
Dorota Hilszczańska
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Cenococcum Geophilum ◽  
Tree Damage ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Communities ◽  
The City

The linden tree ( Tilia  spp.) is a popular tree for landscaping and urban environments in central and northwest European countries, and it is one of the most popular in cities in Poland. Ectomycorrhizal fungi form a symbiosis with many urban tree species and protect the host plant from heavy metals and against salinity. The aim of this study was to characterize the ECM fungal community of urban linden trees along the tree damage gradient. The study was performed on two homogeneous sites located in the centre of the city of Gdańsk, in northern Poland. The vitality assessment of urban linden trees was made according to Roloff’s classification. Tree damage classes were related to soil characteristics using principal component analysis. The five ectomycorrhizal fungal species were shared among all four tree damage classes, and  Cenococcum geophilum  was found to be the most abundant and frequent ectomycorrhizal fungal species in each class. Park soil had significantly lower pH and Na, Cl and Pb content than street soils. Our knowledge of ectomycorrhizal communities in urban areas is still limited, and these findings provide new insights into ectomycorrhizal distribution patterns in urban areas.

scholarly journals The ectomycorrhizal community of urban linden trees in Gdańsk, Poland

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0237551
Author(s):  
Jacek Olchowik ◽  
Marzena Suchocka ◽  
Paweł Jankowski ◽  
Tadeusz Malewski ◽  
Dorota Hilszczańska
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Cenococcum Geophilum ◽  
Tree Damage ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Communities ◽  
The City

The linden tree (Tilia spp.) is a popular tree for landscaping and urban environments in central and northwest European countries, and it is one of the most popular in cities in Poland. Ectomycorrhizal fungi form a symbiosis with many urban tree species and protect the host plant from heavy metals and against salinity. The aim of this study was to characterise the ECM fungal community of urban linden trees along the tree damage gradient. The study was performed on two sites located in the centre of the city of Gdańsk, in northern Poland. The vitality assessment of urban linden trees was made according to Roloff’s classification. Tree damage classes were related to soil characteristics using principal component analysis. The five ectomycorrhizal fungal species were shared among all four tree damage classes, and Cenococcum geophilum was found to be the most abundant and frequent ectomycorrhizal fungal species in each class. Soil samples collected in the vicinity of trees belonging to the R0 class had significantly lower pH Na, Cl and Pb content than other soils. Our knowledge of ectomycorrhizal communities in urban areas is still limited, and these findings provide new insights into ectomycorrhizal distribution patterns in urban areas.

scholarly journals Urbanization drives the evolution of parallel clines in plant populations

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1845) ◽  
pp. 20162180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken A. Thompson ◽  
Marie Renaudin ◽  
Marc T. J. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Ecosystems ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Freezing Damage ◽  
Urban Centre ◽  
Dominant Feature ◽  
Urbanization Gradients ◽  
The City

Urban ecosystems are an increasingly dominant feature of terrestrial landscapes. While evidence that species can adapt to urban environments is accumulating, the mechanisms through which urbanization imposes natural selection on populations are poorly understood. The identification of adaptive phenotypic changes (i.e. clines) along urbanization gradients would facilitate our understanding of the selective factors driving adaptation in cities. Here, we test for phenotypic clines in urban ecosystems by sampling the frequency of a Mendelian-inherited trait—cyanogenesis—in white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) populations along urbanization gradients in four cities. Cyanogenesis protects plants from herbivores, but reduces tolerance to freezing temperatures. We found that the frequency of cyanogenic plants within populations decreased towards the urban centre in three of four cities. A field experiment indicated that spatial variation in herbivory is unlikely to explain these clines. Rather, colder minimum winter ground temperatures in urban areas compared with non-urban areas, caused by reduced snow cover in cities, may select against cyanogenesis. In the city with no cline, high snow cover might protect plants from freezing damage in the city centre. Our study suggests that populations are adapting to urbanization gradients, but regional climatic patterns may ultimately determine whether adaptation occurs.

scholarly journals Cropping Practices and Their Drivers in Various Cropping Systems in Peri-urban Areas of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Delphine Bernadette Ouédraogo ◽  
Delwendé Innocent Kiba ◽  
Zacharia Gnankambary ◽  
Sheick K. Sangaré ◽  
Diakouba Sirima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
West African ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Cropping Practices ◽  
The City ◽  
Total Organic C

The advantages of urban and peri-urban agriculture in West African cities, namely its contribution to food production, income generation and resorbing unemployment are well reported. In the peri-urban areas, cropping systems and practices are various and may affect differently soil properties. Those systems and practices may be driven by farms socio-economic conditions. Here we conducted a study in 133 peri-urban farms located at the vicinity of the city of Ouagadougou. Farmers were questioned on their cropping practices and soil samples were taken and analyzed for their total organic C, available P and K contents. Principal component analysis allowed to study the variability of the farms considering cropping systems, the cropping practices and the farms socio-economic conditions. We found that in the studied cropping systems up to 60% of the farms variability was explained. Monoculture led to low soil organic carbon while polyculture led to low soil available K. The studied socio-economic conditions of the farms explained up to 60% of the variability in cropping practices.

scholarly journals Application of aerial hyperspectral images in monitoring tree biophysical parameters in urban areas

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Jarocińska ◽  
Małgorzata Białczak ◽  
Łukasz Sławik
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Hyperspectral Images ◽  
Biophysical Parameters ◽  
Tree Damage ◽  
Parameter Values ◽  
The City ◽  
Remote Sensing Indices

Abstract Monitoring of trees in urban areas can be conducted using remote sensing, but should be supported by field measurements. The article aims to present the research method used to evaluate discolouration and defoliation of trees and tree damage in the city of Białystok in Poland. The analyses were done using AISA hyperspectral images. Field measurements encompassed determining the locations, species and levels of discolouration and defoliation of trees. Remote sensing indices of vegetation were calculated and correlated with the field-measured values of discolouration and defoliation. Based on that, values of discolouration and defoliation were calculated and evaluated against the field studies. The RMSE of the acquired data was around 16%. Using parameter values, a map of tree damage was drawn up. Based on the analysis, it can be stated that a significant number of trees is undamaged, although a large portion of the trees falls into the warning class.

scholarly journals Green Infrastructure and Biophilic Urbanism as Tools for Integrating Resource Efficient and Ecological Cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giles Thomson ◽  
Peter Newman
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
The Other ◽  
Ecological Approach ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Nature ◽  
Natural Landscape ◽  
The City ◽  
Different Parts

In recent decades, the concept of resource efficient cities has emerged as an urban planning paradigm that seeks to achieve sustainable urban environments. This focus is upon compact urban environments that optimise energy, water and waste systems to create cities that help solve climate change and other resource-based sustainability issues. In parallel, there has been a long-standing tradition of ecological approaches to the design of cities that can be traced from Howard, Geddes, McHarg and Lyle. Rather than resource efficiency, the ecological approach has focused upon the retention and repair of natural landscape features and the creation of green infrastructure (GI) to manage urban water, soil and plants in a more ecologically sensitive way. There is some conflict with the resource efficient cities and ecological cities paradigms, as one is pro-density, while the other is anti-density. This article focusses upon how to integrate the two paradigms through new biophilic urbanism (BU) tools that allow the integration of nature into dense urban areas, to supplement more traditional GI tools in less dense areas. We suggest that the theory of urban fabrics can aid with regard to which tools to use where, for the integration of GI and BU into different parts of the city to achieve <em>both</em> resource efficient and ecological outcomes, that optimise energy water and waste systems, <em>and</em> increase urban nature.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal distributions of total and methyl mercury in precipitation in core urban areas, Chongqing, China

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 9417-9426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. M. Wang ◽  
D. Y. Wang ◽  
B. Meng ◽  
Y. L. Peng ◽  
L. Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Methyl Mercury ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Volume Weight ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distributions ◽  
The City

Abstract. The spatial and temporal distribution patterns of mercury (Hg) in precipitation were investigated in the core urban areas of Chongqing, China. During the period from July 2010 to June 2011, total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) concentrations in precipitation were analysed from three sampling sites. Our results suggested that the volume-weight mean THg and MeHg concentrations in precipitation were 30.67 ng l−1 and 0.31 ng l−1, respectively. The proportion of MeHg in THg ranged from 0.1% to 7.6% with a mean value of 1.3%. THg and MeHg concentrations showed seasonal variations, while the highest THg value was measured in winter. Contrarily, the highest MeHg concentration was observed in autumn. Additionally, a geographically gradual decline of THg concentration in precipitation was observed from the downtown to the suburb, then to the controlled site in the city. 5 mm rainfall might be a threshold for the full wash-out capability. Rainfall above 5 mm may have a diluting effect for the concentrations of THg. Moreover, the current research implies that the coal combustion and motor vehicles could be the dominant sources for Hg in the precipitation.

scholarly journals Stress in the city: meta-analysis indicates no overall evidence for stress in urban vertebrates

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1936) ◽  
pp. 20201754
Author(s):  
Maider Iglesias-Carrasco ◽  
Upama Aich ◽  
Michael D. Jennions ◽  
Megan L. Head
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
The City

As cities continue to grow it is increasingly important to understand the long-term responses of wildlife to urban environments. There have been increased efforts to determine whether urbanization imposes chronic stress on wild animals, but empirical evidence is mixed. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis to test whether there is, on average, a detrimental effect of urbanization based on baseline and stress-induced glucocorticoid levels of wild vertebrates. We found no effect of urbanization on glucocorticoid levels, and none of sex, season, life stage, taxon, size of the city nor methodology accounted for variation in the observed effect sizes. At face value, our results suggest that urban areas are no more stressful for wildlife than rural or non-urban areas, but we offer a few reasons why this conclusion could be premature. We propose that refining methods of data collection will improve our understanding of how urbanization affects the health and survival of wildlife.

scholarly journals First records for Lasiurus blossevillii, Histiotus humboldti and Enchisthenes hartii (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in an urban region in Southern Ecuador

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 2-8
Author(s):  
Carlos Nivelo-Villavicencio ◽  
Javier Fernández de Córdova ◽  
Amanda B. Quezada
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
New Records ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Region ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
Southern Ecuador ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time ◽  
The City

Currently in Ecuador there are 171 bats species, however little is known of their presence in urban and peri-urban areas. These information gaps make it difficult to know the distribution of the species, as well as the ecosystems they are occupying. In this work we report for the first time three bats species in the urban and peri-urban area of Cuenca City which is located in the south of the Inter-Andean Valley. The individuals were identified taxonomically by morphological and morphometric characters, these were deposited in the Zoological Collection of the University of Azuay. The specimens reported in this work are: an adult male of Lasiurus blossevillii, a juvenile female of Histiotus humboldti, and an adult male of Enchisthenes hartii. These new records allow us to contribute with information on the distribution of these species, as well as raise new questions about the use of present resources by these bats in the urban and peri-urban environments of the city.

scholarly journals Measures of Spatial and Demographic Disparities in Access to Urban Green Space in Harbin, China

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Qian Xie ◽  
Ming Lu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Spatial Accessibility ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Bivariate Correlation ◽  
Spatial Equity ◽  
The City

Access to urban green space (UGS) is associated with the enhancement of health and disparities in access generate issues of spatial equity and socioenvironmental justice. The aim of this study is to measure spatial accessibility and investigate access disparities to UGSs in urban areas of Harbin, China. A Gaussian-based two-step floating catchment area method and spatial autocorrelation analysis were used to measure the accessibility and evaluate its distribution patterns in residential tracts. Bivariate correlation was employed to examine the statistical relations between demographic characteristics of residential tracts and green space access. The results show that most residential tracts have minimal green space access within walking distance, while a few have limited access within cycling distance. Additionally, spatial disparities were found with low-accessibility tracts clustering in the center of the city, while high-accessibility tracts were located in northern and southern suburbs. Demographic disparities were also identified in the study: females have less access to UGS than males, areas with a high birth rate generally have more access, and population density is negatively associated with UGS access. The findings not only indicate that Harbin has an uneven distribution and disproportionate provision of UGS for urban residents but also identify which areas and population groups within the city are disadvantaged in access to UGS and thus provide suggestions for future construction and provision of UGS.

scholarly journals Spectral analysis of flowers used by nectar-feeding birds in an urban area in Southeastern Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (3 suppl) ◽  
pp. 729-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
MCB. Toledo ◽  
RJ. Donatelli
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Detection Capability ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
The City

The objective of this study was to determine the spectral characteristic of nectar-producing flowers visited by nectarivorous birds in urban areas. This study was carried out in the central area of the city of Taubaté, in the northeast of the State of São Paulo. The sample areas included green areas, such as squares and parks, and the vegetation of streets and avenues. Twelve plant species were recorded with flowers visited by five nectar-feeding birds. The most visited flower species were those that reflected in long wavelengths (>600 nm). The study discussed the birds' detection capability due to the tetrachromatic vision of nectar-feeding birds and the conspicuity of flowers in urban environments. Finally, the study assessed the scarcity of plants attractive to nectar-feeding birds and the need for a management strategy to favour these species and biodiversity in urban areas.

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