scholarly journals Ecosystem Services Provided By Urban Forests In The Southern Caucasus Region: A Modeling Study In Tbilisi, Georgia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levan Alpaidze ◽  
Rocco Pace
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Southern Caucasus

Abstract All cities globally are growing considerably as they are experiencing an intensive urbanization process resulting in significant economic, social, and environmental challenges. One of the major risks is the deterioration of living environment in urban areas due to the high soil consumption and pollution of environmental components. For this reason, cities are required to adopt measures to reduce air pollution concentration and CO2 emissions, preserve biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. In this context, tree planting has been suggested as a cost-effective strategy because green infrastructures can provide important environmental and social functions which contribute to the quality of life and health of city dwellers.Tbilisi is the largest city in Georgia, with a population of over 1,100,000 inhabitants (about 30% of total population of Georgia). The green space availability in Tbilisi (5-6 m2 per inhabitant) is low compared to other European cities, and in recent years the need to increase the amount of urban vegetation has been underlined at planning level.In our study, we implemented for the first time in a Southern Caucasus city the i-Tree Eco model to quantify the main ecosystem services provided by urban forests. Trees in two parks in Tbilisi, Expo Park (694 trees) and Red Park (1027 trees), have been measured and a model simulation was performed for the year 2018. These green infrastructures store large amounts of carbon in their woody tissues (198.4 t for Expo Park and 126.5 t for Red Park) and each year they remove 4.6 and 4.7 t of CO2 for Expo Park and Red Park. They also positively contribute to the air quality by removing 119.6 and 90.3 kg of pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2), and reducing water runoff of 269.5 and 200.5 m3, respectively.This analysis highlights the key role of urban forests in improving the environmental sustainability of the city of Tbilisi and provides important decision support for tree species selection in this geographic area with the aim of maximizing the benefits trees can supply to cities.

scholarly journals Ecosystem Services Provided By Urban Forests In The Southern Caucasus Region: A Modeling Study In Tbilisi, Georgia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levan Alpaidze ◽  
Rocco Pace
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Southern Caucasus ◽  
The City

Abstract BackgroundAll cities globally are growing considerably as they are experiencing an intensive urbanization process resulting in significant economic, social, and environmental challenges. One of the major risks is the deterioration of living environment in urban areas due to the high soil consumption and pollution of environmental components. For this reason, cities are required to adopt measures to reduce air pollution concentration and CO2 emissions, preserve biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. In this context, tree planting has been suggested as one cost-effective strategy because green infrastructures can provide important environmental and social functions which contribute to the quality of life and health of city dwellers.Tbilisi is the largest city in Georgia, with a population of over 1,100,000 inhabitants (about 30% of total population of Georgia). The green space availability in Tbilisi (5-6 m2 per inhabitant) is low compared to other European cities, and in recent years the need to increase the amount of urban vegetation has been underlined at planning level.ResultsIn our study, we implemented for the first time in an Eastern European city the i-Tree Eco model to quantify the main ecosystem services from common tree species in Southern Caucasus. Two parks, Expo Park (694 trees) and Red Park (1027 trees) in the city of Tbilisi have been measured and a model simulation was performed for the year 2018. These urban forests store large amounts of carbon in their woody tissues (198.4 t for Expo park and 126.5 t for Red park) and each year they remove 4.6 and 4.7 t of CO2 for Expo park and Red park. They also positively contribute to the air quality by removing 119.6 and 90.3 kg of pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2), and reducing water runoff of 269.5 and 200.5 m3, respectively.Conclusions This analysis highlighted the key role of urban forests in improving the environmental sustainability of the city of Tbilisi and provides important decision support for the tree species selection in this geographic area with the aim of maximizing the benefits trees can supply to cities.

scholarly journals The Impact of Different Tree Planting Strategies in the Piazzas of a Northern Italian City

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Speak ◽  
Leonardo Montagnani ◽  
Hilary Solly ◽  
Camilla Wellstein ◽  
Stefan Zerbe
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Italian City ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Achieving urban sustainability goals, and improving the quality of life in cities, are aided by the careful selection of tree species for public green spaces. Numerous trade-offs and synergies are necessary to consider when selecting tree species for successful public green spaces. In this transdisciplinary research we consider the impacts of nine different tree planting scenarios, as modelled with i-Trees, in three piazzas of Bolzano, North Italy. The scenarios consider the opinions of the general public gathered from focused workshops and data collected via a purposefully created smartphone application. Shade provision and aesthetics were the primary factors that influenced citizen tree preferences. Scenarios which included larger tree species generally performed the best due to the greater provision of ecosystem services that arises with larger tree dimensions. Ecosystem disservices also increase with larger trees but can be minimised by careful species selection. Public participation in the planning of urban green spaces can be a beneficial activity which ensures new planning outputs will be well-received whilst providing opportunities for education of citizens about the multiple ecosystem services and disservices in urban contexts.

scholarly journals High rate filtration for local treatment of combined sewer overflow

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1206-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Helness ◽  
C. Sun ◽  
S. Damman ◽  
M. Ahmadi ◽  
G. Raspati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Combined Sewer Overflows ◽  
Sewer System ◽  
Combined Sewer ◽  
High Investment

Abstract Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) pollute receiving waters and have a negative impact on ecosystem services. In urban areas rehabilitation of the sewer system to avoid CSOs is associated with high investment costs. Furthermore, not all CSOs can be closed due to the need for hydraulic reliability of the system. Local treatment of CSO with high rate filtration offers an alternative to rehabilitation of the sewer system that is flexible with respect to design and has lower investment cost than separating sewage and storm water runoff. Results from DESSIN, a 4-year EU demonstration project, are presented. The results showed on average 50% removal of particulate matter during CSO events, with higher removal (80%) in the initial first flush period. Other constituents, for example heavy metals, were removed through their association with particles. Potential impacts on ecosystem services in the catchment and the sustainability of the solution were assessed.

scholarly journals EVALUASI KELAYAKAN HUTAN KOTA STUDI KASUS HUTAN KOTA SRENGSENG, JAKARTA BARAT

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 2731
Author(s):  
Randy Kusuma Markho ◽  
Suryono Herlambang ◽  
Parino Rahardjo ◽  
Suryadi Santoso
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Physical Development ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
The Future ◽  
Water Catchment

Urban forests are one of the most important parts in urban areas. With urban physical development that continues to occur makes it difficult and expensive to add urban forests. Whereas urban forests have important benefits for urban communities, such as providing a balance to ecosystems, as water catchment areas, and being a place of carbondioxide to oxygen cycles. One of the urban forests in Jakarta is Hutan Kota Srengseng. In this research, we want to find out whether Hutan Kota Srengseng meets the criteria so that it is worth mentioning as an urban forest. The method used in this research is qualitative, field observations and literature studies. The results of this study will find out the ecosystem services provided by the Hutan Kota Srengseng and the potential that exists in the Hutan Kota Srengseng so that they can make optimal plans for developing and managing Hutan Kota Srengseng in the future. Keywords: Ecosystem Services; Urban; Urban ForestAbstrak Hutan kota merupakan salah satu bagian terpenting di perkotaan. Dengan perkembangan fisik perkotaan yang terus terjadi membuat sulit dan mahal untuk menambah hutan kota. Padahal hutan kota mempunyai memberikan manfaat yang penting untuk masyarakat kota, seperti memberikan keseimbangan bagi ekosistem, sebagai areal resapan air, dan menjadi tempat daur karbondioksida menjadi oksigen. Salah satu hutan kota yang ada di Jakarta adalah Hutan Kota Srengseng. Pada penelitian kali ini ingin mengetahui apakah Hutan Kota Srengseng telah memenuhi kriteria sehingga layak disebut sebagai sebuah hutan kota. Metode yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah kualitatif, observasi lapangan dan studi literatur. Hasil penelitian ini akan mengetahui layanan ekosistem yang diberikan oleh Hutan Kota Srengseng dan potensi yang ada di Hutan Kota Srengseng sehingga dapat membuat rencana pengembangan dan pengelolaan Hutan Kota Srengseng yang optimal kedepannya.

scholarly journals DBH Distributions in America’s Urban Forests—An Overview of Structural Diversity

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Morgenroth ◽  
David Nowak ◽  
Andrew Koeser
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Wiener Index ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Trunk Diameter ◽  
Anderson Darling ◽  
Functional Management

Background and Objectives: The structural diversity of an urban forest affects ecosystem service provision, and can inform management, planning, as well as policy. Trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) is amongst the most common measures of tree structure due to its ease of measurement and strong relationships with other structural and non-structural urban forest characteristics. Materials and Methods: In this study, the DBH distributions of urban forests are summarised for 38 American cities with a combined population of over 30 million people and a range of geographic, climatic, and demographic conditions. The Anderson–Darling (AD) test was used to test the hypothesis that all DBH distributions came from a common population. Moreover, structural diversity was compared using the Shannon–Wiener index. Results: The AD test results failed to identify any statistically significant differences in DBH distributions. However, qualitatively, the DBH distributions have two primary forms, which have important functional, management, and planning implications. The vast majority of cities have an exponentially inverse-proportional distribution, such that the proportion of trees in each successively larger DBH class decreases exponentially. The Shannon–Wiener index indicates an uneven DBH distribution in the cities with an exponentially inverse-proportional diameter distribution; these cities are dominated by trees in the smallest diameter class. Potential explanations for a large proportion of trees in the smallest diameter classes include a large number of small, naturally regenerating trees; a preference for smaller trees in urban areas; or a recent increase in tree planting efforts. Conclusions: Despite no statistical differences in DBH distributions for the 38 study cities, the functional, management, and planning implications will differ considerably.

scholarly journals Importance, Utilization and Health of Urban Forests: A Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Alexandra D. SOLOMOU ◽  
Eleni T. TOPALIDOU ◽  
Rafaelia GERMANI ◽  
Apostolia ARGIRI ◽  
George KARETSOS
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Visual Image ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Academic Resources

Urbanization and development of cities are rapidly increasing across the world and urban forests constitute important tools that maintain the basic environmental and ecological functions of cities on which plant, animal and human existence depend. This paper presents a literature review on importance, utilization and health of urban forests that are important in providing ecosystem services for the sustainability of cities. Analysis of the literature from the main academic resources databases indicates that urban forest is a dynamic system which includes trees, shrubs, green space, soil and water that supports them. Urban forests provide many functions, services and benefits which are needed for the sustainable development of urban areas. In addition, health and appearance of trees’ composition are the most important factors in determining a city’s visual image and quality of life. Thus, urban forests are an important component of an ecosystem in any community development. Furthermore, management of urban forests can increase their potentials and therefore their functions, services and benefits. Green infrastructure and ecosystem services are the most efficient tools that cities can utilise to remain healthy, robust and liveable. Hence, the planners, architects, engineers, foresters, agriculturists and all those involved in decision making should be utilized the present literature review and incorporate the concept of urban forest in their  plans and programs so as to achieve the sustainability of cities.

scholarly journals The impact of different tree planting strategies on ecosystem services and disservices in the piazzas of a northern Italian city

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Speak ◽  
L. Montagnani ◽  
H. Solly ◽  
C. Wellstein ◽  
S. Zerbe
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Italian City ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAchieving urban sustainability goals, and improving the quality of life in cities, are aided by the careful selection of tree species for public green spaces. Numerous trade-offs and synergies are necessary to consider when selecting tree species for successful public green spaces and there is little data on effective species mixes. In this transdisciplinary research we consider the relative impacts of nine different tree planting scenarios, as modelled with i-Tree, in three piazzas of Bolzano, North Italy. The scenarios consider the opinions of the general public gathered from focused workshops and data collected via a purposefully created smartphone application in addition to data from local urban tree inventories. Shade provision and aesthetics were the primary factors that influenced citizen tree preferences. Scenarios which included larger tree species generally performed the best due to the greater provision of ecosystem services that arises with larger tree dimensions. Ecosystem disservices also increase with larger trees but can be minimised by careful species selection. Public participation in the planning of urban green spaces can be a beneficial activity which ensures new planning outputs will be well-received whilst providing opportunities for education of citizens about the multiple ecosystem services and disservices in urban contexts. Model outputs revealed that different tree species choices can have greatly different impacts in terms of ecosystem service and disservice provision.

scholarly journals Cultivating our urban forest future: a value-chain perspective

FACETS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2084-2109
Author(s):  
Darby McGrath ◽  
Ryan Plummer ◽  
Amy Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Knowledge Mobilization ◽  
Chain Of Custody ◽  
The Right ◽  
Natural Climate

For cities to grow their urban forest canopy the formula appears rather straightforward: the right trees, plus the right conditions, plus the right care equals success. These simplified “tree chain of custody” steps, however, represent activities within a complex value-chain in Canada. Given that there is heightened demand for urban tree planting as natural climate solutions become the norm, how can we prepare the value-chain to meet these demands? To answer this question, we outline the pathways by which trees presently go from nurseries into urban and peri-urban areas. Delineating the actors, roles, and present barriers to success exposes the complexity of the process and relationships in the value-chain, as there are distinct phases with multiple actor groups involved who influence, and are influenced, by one another. We explore the issues that pose prominent challenges to, as well as opportunities for, the value-chain. Emergent themes include communication, forecasting demand and timing, underpricing and undervaluing tree establishment, lack of awareness on the importance of soils, juvenile tree health, species selection, and gaps in evidence-based decision support tools. The touchstones of science and innovation, collaboration, and knowledge mobilization are pertinent for the value-chain in Canada to draw upon to navigate the future.

scholarly journals Organizing vertical layout environments: a forward-looking development strategy for high-rise building projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 01016
Author(s):  
A.A. Magay ◽  
E.A. Bulgakova ◽  
S.A. Zabelina
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Big City ◽  
Global Population

The article highlights issues surrounding development of high rise buildings. With the rapid increase of the global population there has been a trend for people to migrate into megacities and has caused the expansion of big city territories. This trend, coupled with the desire for a comfortable living environment, has resulted in numerous problems plaguing the megacity. This article proposes that a viable solution to the problems facing megacities is to create vertical layout environments. Potential options for creating vertical layout environments are set out below including the construction of buildings with atriums. Further, the article puts forth suggested spatial organization of the environment as well as optimal landscaping of high-rise buildings and constructions for the creation of vertical layout environments. Finally, the persuasive reasons for the adoption of vertical layout environments is that it will decrease the amount of developed urban areas, decrease traffic and increase environmental sustainability.

Problems of Development of Small and Medium Russian Towns

2019 ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
V V. Kafidov ◽  
V. N. Filippov ◽  
I. P. Filippova
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Fundamental Factor ◽  
New Buildings

The presented study addresses the problems of development of small and medium towns in Russia. Aim. The study aims to examine a town as a socio-economic environment where its residents exist and as the fundamental factor for the development of society.Tasks. The authors identify key problems in the development of small and medium Russian towns, which interferes with the historical appearance and has a negative impact on the living environment.Methods. Problems in the development of small and medium towns in Russia are examined using theoretical methods: systematic approach, statistical analysis, social and philosophical analysis.Results. The study identifies the main negative effects of the existing model of development of small and medium Russian towns, such as destruction of their historical and cultural appearance, distortion of the overall architectural motif, increased load on communications, and congestion of the transport infrastructure.Conclusions. At the current stage, efficient development of small and medium towns in Russia is impossible within the framework of the existing infill development. This chaotic process cannot be stopped without a new conceptual approach and changes in the legislative and normative framework of urban development. The only factor that determines the boundaries of the existing approach to urban development is the lack of physical space for new buildings in urban areas. The authors formulate proposals that would help to solve the problems of development of small and medium towns in Russia. 

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