scholarly journals Soil Mesofauna Community Changes in Response to the Environmental Gradients of Urbanization in Guangzhou City

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiqin Yu ◽  
Junliang Qiu ◽  
Xiaohua Chen ◽  
Xiaofeng Luo ◽  
Xiankun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Soil Property ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Urban Parks ◽  
Landscape Changes ◽  
Soil Mesofauna ◽  
Urban Woodland

There has been a recent increase in interest on how urbanization affects soil fauna communities. However, previous studies primarily focused on some limited land use types or line transects of urban-rural gradients. At family and higher taxonomic levels, we investigated the changes of soil mesofauna communities (abundance, species richness, and community structure) with urbanization intensity along different disturbance features in 47 sites evenly located in downtown Guangzhou and adjacent regions. The 47 research sites were classified into four ecosystem types mainly according to the location (rural/urban), vegetation cover, and management intensity. In turn, the four types with increasing urbanization intensity were rural forest, urban forest, urban woodland, and urban park. Firstly, the role of urban soil property (soil physicochemical characteristic and soil heavy metal content) in regulating soil mesofauna community was investigated. The results showed that soil mesofauna abundance and diversity decreased with increasing soil pH, total nitrogen content (TN), and heavy metal comprehensive index (CPI). Soil Pb decreased soil mesofauna species richness (taxa number) and regulated soil mesofauna community structure. Secondly, we examined the effects of landscape changes on the soil mesofauna community. We found impervious surface (IS) ratio did not predict changes in soil mesofauna abundance, species richness, or community structure. Instead, IS ratio was positively correlated with soil pH, soil TN, and CPI. After excluding sites that belonged to rural forests and urban parks, site area was positively correlated with soil mesofauna abundance. Thirdly, our results revealed significant differences in soil property, landscape trait, and soil mesofauna community among the four ecosystem types. Interestingly, urban forest, the one lightly disturbed by urbanization, but not rural forest, had the highest soil mesofauna abundance. Soil mesofauna abundance in urban woodlands was similar to that in urban parks, which was about half of that in urban forests. Species richness in urban parks was 21% lower than that in rural forests. Our results also showed that urban woodland and urban parks had distinct mesofauna community structures compared to those in rural forests and urban forests. In conclusion, the present study suggested that (1) soil property changes due to urbanization, such as increased pH and heavy metal enrichment in urban soil, decreased soil mesofauna abundance and species richness, changed community structure, and mediated the effect of landscape change on soil mesofauna community; (2) however, soil and landscape changes could not explain the increase of abundance in urban forests, which supported the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.

scholarly journals Assessing the relative importance of human and spatial pressures on non-native plant establishment in urban forests using citizen science

NeoBiota ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Katherine Duchesneau ◽  
Lisa Derickx ◽  
Pedro M. Antunes
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Plant Introductions ◽  
Native Species Richness ◽  
Urban Activities

Since 2007, more people in the world live in urban than in rural areas. The development of urban areas has encroached into natural forest ecosystems, consequently increasing the ecological importance of parks and fragmented forest remnants. However, a major concern is that urban activities have rendered urban forests susceptible to non-native species incursions, making them central entry sites where non-native plant species can establish and spread. We have little understanding of what urban factors contribute to this process. Here we use data collected by citizen scientists to determine the differential impacts of spatial and urban factors on non-native plant introductions in urban forests. Using a model city, we mapped 18 urban forests within city limits, and identified all the native and non-native plants present at those sites. We then determined the relative contribution of spatial and socioeconomic variables on the richness and composition of native and non-native plant communities. We found that socioeconomic factors rather than spatial factors (e.g., urban forest area) were important modulators of overall or non-native species richness. Non-native species richness in urban forest fragments was primarily affected by residential layout, recent construction events, and nearby roads. This demonstrates that the proliferation of non-native species is inherent to urban activities and we propose that future studies replicate our approach in different cities to broaden our understanding of the spatial and social factors that modulate invasive species movement starting in urban areas.

scholarly journals Ketersediaan Ruang Terbuka Hijau (RTH) Taman dan Hutan Kota di Kota Jambi

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Marhadi Marhadi ◽  
Hadrah Hadrah
Keyword(s):  
Open Space ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Urban Parks ◽  
City Region ◽  
City Parks ◽  
The City ◽  
Public Green Space ◽  
Potential Land

Green open space functions as a supporter and enhancer of the value of quality in the environment and culture of the city so that it can be allocated and shaped in its use in accordance with its needs and interests, Jambi City Regional Regulation No. 9 of 2013 concerning the Spatial Planning for the Jambi City Region in 2013-2033. Jambi City with an area of 205.38 km² requires minimum public green open space of 4,107.60 ha and private green open space of at least 2.05.38 ha. Based on DLH data from Jambi City. In 2017, the City of Jambi still lacked 2,220.13 ha of public green space and 774.36 ha of private green space, the research objective identifying the extent and availability of urban parks and forests based on population and water demand approach. The research method uses data analysis criteria identifying the needs of parks and urban forests, population and water consumption. Identify the number and extent of urban parks and urban forests as many as 45 city parks and 2 urban forests in Jambi City and the largest urban parks are in the youth arena park located in Kota Baru District with an area of 2,008 ha, public open space city parks and urban forests jambi has a total area of 72,922 ha. The required green space in Jambi City is 4,107.6 ha, it is obtained that the area of public green space identified is only about 1.77% of the total area of the city. The needs of urban forest area based on the water approach that requires land until 2028 covering an area of 5,614.47 ha are less fulfilled, because the total available land is 58 ha with potential land of 79.85 ha, only 94.32 ha has been developed, but it can only meet the needs of the area of urban forests based on the water approach only in 2018 of 2,495.32 ha

The influence of elevation on benthic community responses to heavy metals in Rocky Mountain streams

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 1966-1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Clements ◽  
Peter M. Kiffney
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Benthic Community ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Benthic Community Structure ◽  
Community Responses ◽  
Zn Concentration

We examined the influence of elevation on benthic macroinvertebrate community responses to heavy metals at 33 sites in six Colorado streams where zinc (Zn) concentration ranged from 2 to 691 μg/L and elevation ranged from 2200 to 3500 m above sea level. We assigned the 33 sites to one of four categories, on the basis of the total Zn concentration and the hardness-based criterion for Zn. Number of taxa, abundance, and species richness of mayflies (Ephemeroptera), and abundance of most mayfly and stonefly (Plecoptera) taxa were significantly reduced at sites where Zn concentration exceeded the hardness-based criterion. Although most measures of benthic community structure were not affected at sites where the Zn concentration was less than the criterion, the species richness of mayflies and the abundance of Heptageniidae, Drunella, and Rhyacophila were significantly reduced. Results of stepwise multiple regression analysis and canonical discriminant analysis showed that the effects of Zn on benthic community structure were influenced by elevation. These natural changes in benthic communities confound results of biomonitoring studies and must be considered when assessing heavy metal impacts. Total abundance and species richness of mayflies, and abundance of Heptageniidae were the most reliable indicators of heavy metal impacts in our southern Rocky Mountain streams.

scholarly journals Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Community Structure, Abundance and Species Richness Changes in Soil by Different Levels of Heavy Metal and Metalloid Concentration

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e0128784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramasamy Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Chang-Gi Kim ◽  
Parthiban Subramanian ◽  
Ki-Yoon Kim ◽  
Gopal Selvakumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Different Levels

scholarly journals Emerging Urban Forests: Opportunities for Promoting the Wild Side of the Urban Green Infrastructure

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Kowarik ◽  
Anne Hiller ◽  
Greg Planchuelo ◽  
Birgit Seitz ◽  
Moritz von der Lippe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Infrastructure

Many cities aim to increase urban forest cover to benefit residents through the provision of ecosystem services and to promote biodiversity. As a complement to traditional forest plantings, we address opportunities associated with “emerging urban forests” (i.e., spontaneously developing forests in cities) for urban biodiversity conservation. We quantified the area of successional forests and analyzed the species richness of native and alien plants and of invertebrates (carabid beetles, spiders) in emerging forests dominated by alien or native trees, including Robinia pseudoacacia, Acer platanoides, and Betula pendula. Emerging urban forests were revealed as shared habitats of native and alien species. Native species richness was not profoundly affected by the alien (co-)dominance of the canopy. Instead, native and alien plant species richnesses were positively related. Numbers of endangered plants and invertebrates did not differ between native- and alien-dominated forest patches. Patterns of tree regeneration indicate different successional trajectories for novel forest types. We conclude that these forests (i) provide habitats for native and alien species, including some endangered species, (ii) allow city dwellers to experience wild urban nature, and (iii) support arguments for adapting forests to dynamic urban environments. Integrating emerging urban forests into the urban green infrastructure is a promising pathway to sustainable cities and can complement traditional restoration or greening approaches.

scholarly journals A comparative study of tree community structure and natural regeneration status in Bontang urban forest and conservation forest of the LNG Industrial Plant Area, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudrajat Sudrajat Sudrajat ◽  
MINTORO DWIPUTRO
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Industrial Plant ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
East Kalimantan ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Plant Area

Abstract. Sudrajat S, Dwiputro M. 2019. A comparative study of tree community structure and natural regeneration status in Bontang urban forest and conservation forest of the LNG Industrial Plant Area, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 2841-2847. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the community structure and natural regeneration status of tree species in urban forests within industrial estates. This study was conducted in two types of forests, Bontang urban forests within industrial area and conservation forests in the Industrial buffer zone area. At each forest location, a transect was made, and along the transect, a plot of size 20 x 20 meters was made with a distance between plots of 100 meters. In each plot, several subplots were made with size of 5m x 5m for sapling level, and 2m x 2m for seedling level. The results of this study showed that in urban forest areas there were 32 tree-level species, 21 sapling species and 15 seedling species, belonging of 49 genera and 39 families. The number of species, species richness, species diversity, evenness of sapling and tree-level species was more in urban forests than in conservation forest, and the condition was vice versa for seedling level. The value of species dominance index in conservation forest was greater than urban forest, and conversely, the value of individual density/ha for tree-level was 562.50 individuals/ha, sapling level was 7,933 ind./Ha and for seeding level 80,625 ind./ha. Of the 53 urban forest species, 28 species (52.83%) were in no regeneration category, 3 species (5.66%) were in poor regeneration category, and 22 species (41.50%) were in the new species category. In contrast, among 76 species of the conservation forests, 8 species (10.52%) showed good regeneration status, 13 species (17.10%) showed poor status and 55 species (72.36%) showed no regeneration status. From the results, it can be concluded that the Bontang urban forest in the industrial area shows no regeneration status and the emergence of new species. In the context of conservation, it is recommended to implement special silvicultural techniques to maintain the biodiversity of this urban forest.

scholarly journals Quantifying Tree Cover Loss in Urban Forests within Nairobi City Metropolitan Area from Earth Observation Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Francis Oloo ◽  
Godwin Murithi ◽  
Charlynne Jepkosgei
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Earth Observation ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Vegetation Health ◽  
Earth Observation Data

Urban forests contribute significantly to the ecological integrity of urban areas and the quality of life of urban dwellers through air quality control, energy conservation, improving urban hydrology, and regulation of land surface temperatures (LST). However, urban forests are under threat due to human activities, natural calamities, and bioinvasion continually decimating forest cover. Few studies have used fine-scaled Earth observation data to understand the dynamics of tree cover loss in urban forests and the sustainability of such forests in the face of increasing urban population. The aim of this work was to quantify the spatial and temporal changes in urban forest characteristics and to assess the potential drivers of such changes. We used data on tree cover, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and land cover change to quantify tree cover loss and changes in vegetation health in urban forests within the Nairobi metropolitan area in Kenya. We also used land cover data to visualize the potential link between tree cover loss and changes in land use characteristics. From approximately 6600 hectares (ha) of forest land, 720 ha have been lost between 2000 and 2019, representing about 11% loss in 20 years. In six of the urban forests, the trend of loss was positive, indicating a continuing disturbance of urban forests around Nairobi. Conversely, there was a negative trend in the annual mean NDVI values for each of the forests, indicating a potential deterioration of the vegetation health in the forests. A preliminary, visual inspection of high-resolution imagery in sample areas of tree cover loss showed that the main drivers of loss are the conversion of forest lands to residential areas and farmlands, implementation of big infrastructure projects that pass through the forests, and extraction of timber and other resources to support urban developments. The outcome of this study reveals the value of Earth observation data in monitoring urban forest resources.

scholarly journals Assessing the Ecological Value of an Urban Forest Park: A Case Study of Sinhua Forest Park in Taiwan

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 806
Author(s):  
Wan-Yu Liu ◽  
Yo-Zheng Lin ◽  
Chi-Ming Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Urban Forest ◽  
Contingent Valuation Method ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Forest Park ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Ecological Conservation

Urban forests offer multiple functions: they can balance negative effects from the environment and provide the public with a place for leisure and recreation. Hence, urban forests are crucial to urban ecology and have been widely studied. In addition, relevant study results were applied for policymaking in urban development and forest park management. This study evaluated the ecological value of the Sinhua Forest Park and examined whether the socioeconomic background of participants influences their willingness to pay (WTP) for ecological conservation. Questionnaires were distributed to visitors in the Sinhua Forest Park in Tainan, Taiwan, and the payment card format of the contingent valuation method was employed to evaluate the ecological value. The results showed that the visitors had an annual WTP of $22.01 per person. However, when samples with protest responses were excluded, the WTP rose to $24.58. By considering the total number of visitors of a year, the total ecological value was $1,426,964.14/year and reached $1,593,257.31/year after excluding the protest samples. This study also analyzed participants’ within-variable socioeconomic background (e.g., gender and education) and discovered that male participants who are aged 60 years or older, with an education level of senior/vocational high school, and those who visited green spaces two to three times per week presented a high WTP score on average. A Tobit regression model was employed for examination, and the results indicated that participants’ education and frequency of visiting green spaces significantly influenced their WTP for the ecological conservation of the Sinhua Forest Park.

scholarly journals Effects of Urban Forest Types and Traits on Soil Organic Carbon Stock in Beijing

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 394
Author(s):  
Xinhui Xu ◽  
Zhenkai Sun ◽  
Zezhou Hao ◽  
Qi Bian ◽  
Kaiyue Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Organic Carbon Stock

Forests can affect soil organic carbon (SOC) quality and distribution through forest types and traits. However, much less is known about the influence of urban forests on SOC, especially in the effects of different forest types, such as coniferous and broadleaved forests. Our objectives were to assess the effects of urban forest types on the variability of SOC content (SOC concentration (SOCC) and SOC density (SOCD)) and determine the key forest traits influencing SOC. Data from 168 urban forest plots of coniferous or broadleaved forests located in the Beijing urban area were used to predict the effects of forest types and traits on SOC in three different soil layers, 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm. The analysis of variance and multiple comparisons were used to test the differences in SOC between forest types or layers. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to explain the influence of forest traits on SOC and select the significant predictors. Our results showed that in urban forests, the SOCC and SOCD values of the coniferous forest group were both significantly higher than those of the broadleaved group. The SOCC of the surface soil was significantly higher than those of the following two deep layers. In PLSR models, 42.07% of the SOCC variance and 35.83% of the SOCD variance were explained by forest traits. Diameter at breast height was selected as the best predictor variable by comparing variable importance in projection (VIP) scores in the models. The results suggest that forest types and traits could be used as an optional approach to assess the organic carbon stock in urban forest soils. This study found substantial effects of urban forest types and traits on soil organic carbon sequestration, which provides important data support for urban forest planning and management.

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