Dust Capturing Capacity of Woody Plants in Clean Air Zones throughout Taiwan

To exploit the ability of vegetation to capture particulate matter (dust) from the air and improve air quality, 546 clean air zones (CAZs) consisting of various types of urban green space have been established in Taiwan. This study systematically assessed the pollutant filtering efficiency of tree species planted in these green spaces. This research aims to provide quantitative data on individual trees’ dust retention functions for future green space planning in urban areas. Field surveys were conducted in 98 CAZs throughout Taiwan. The vegetation composition of approximately 14,000 woody trees, consisting of 210 species, was surveyed. The vegetation surveyed showed that the dominant species in many CAZs in southern Taiwan were introduced species. The dust capturing capacity of the tree species was found to be positively correlated with leaf size. However, the amount of dust retention was affected mainly by the surface structure and morphological characteristics of the leaves, such as a rough, hairy surface. Among the tree species, Spathodea campanulata, Pterocarpus indicus, and Delonix regia exhibited the best dust capture and retention capacity in southern Taiwan, and Ficus macrocarpa, Alstonia scholaris, and Melia azedarach were the most desirable dust retention species. The results suggest that native evergreen species are suitable for dust retention in urban green spaces.

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Evaluation of the Equity and Regional Management of Some Urban Green Space Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of Main Urban Area of Xi’an City

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12070813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 813

Author(s):

Hui Dang ◽

Jing Li ◽

Yumeng Zhang ◽

Zixiang Zhou

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Well Being ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Deposition Flux ◽

Urban Green ◽

Xi’An City

Urban green spaces can provide many types of ecosystem services for residents. An imbalance in the pattern of green spaces leads to an inequality of the benefits of such spaces. Given the current situation of environmental problems and the basic geographical conditions of Xi’an City, this study evaluated and mapped four kinds of ecosystem services from the perspective of equity: biodiversity, carbon sequestration, air purification, and climate regulation. Regionalization with dynamically constrained agglomerative clustering and partitioning (REDCAP) was used to obtain the partition groups of ecosystem services. The results indicate that first, the complexity of the urban green space community is low, and the level of biodiversity needs to be improved. The dry deposition flux of particulate matter (PM2.5) decreases from north to south, and green spaces enhance the adsorption of PM2.5. Carbon sequestration in the south and east is higher than that in the north and west, respectively. The average surface temperature in green spaces is lower than that in other urban areas. Second, urban green space resources in the study area are unevenly distributed. Therefore, ecosystem services in different areas are inequitable. Finally, based on the regionalization of integrated ecosystem services, an ecosystem services cluster was developed. This included 913 grid spaces, 12 partitions, and 5 clusters, which can provide a reference for distinct levels of ecosystem services management. This can assist urban managers who can use these indicators of ecosystem service levels for planning and guiding the overall development pattern of green spaces. The benefits would be a maximization of the ecological functions of green spaces, an improvement of the sustainable development of the city, and an improvement of people’s well-being.

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Research on the Complexity of Forms and Structures of Urban Green Spaces Based on Fractal Models

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2020/4213412 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Yilu Gong ◽

Xueming Li ◽

Xueping Cong ◽

He Liu

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Scale Model ◽

Gradient Structure ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Fractal Models

The fractal nature of urban green spaces is the product of the self-organizing evolution of the complex urban system into a higher stage, and orderly patterns and complex structures of urban green spaces will tend to manifest after they develop to a certain stage. On the basis of GF1 satellite data in 2019 and three fractal models, the complexity of the forms and structures of a green space system in downtown Dalian, China, was studied. The results showed that the boundary dimension measured by the perimeter-scale model was 0.64–1.40, and the boundary dimension measured by the area-perimeter model was 1.79–1.99; these results indicate that the degree of human disturbance in green space boundaries was high, and the stability of the green space spatial structures was poor. The grid dimension measured by the area-scale model was 0.49–1.42, and the average radius dimension measured by the area-radius model was 0.35–0.76; these results indicate that the balance of the spatial distribution of green spaces was low, and the green spaces were excessively concentrated in the city center. Through comparisons of the scaling range among various types of green spaces, the characteristic range (gradient structure) of the spatial distribution of urban green spaces was found, which can reflect the maturity of green space growth and the quality of the green space layout. The gradient structure of green spaces in Dalian was characterized by three gradients, namely, 0–4000 m, 4000–8000 m, and 8000–16,000 m. The development of green spaces in the first gradient zone was the best, and the second and third gradient zones showed relatively large potential for improvement. These research results are of practical significance for guiding the planning and construction of green spaces in urban areas.

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Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia)

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11080876 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 876

Author(s):

Silvija Krajter Ostoić ◽

Ana Marija Marin ◽

Martina Kičić ◽

Dijana Vuletić

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Place Attachment ◽

Green Space ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Different Types

Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space.

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Quantification and monetary valuation of urban ecosystem services in Munich, Germany

Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftsgeographie ◽

10.1515/zfw-2015-0304 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tim Aevermann ◽

Jürgen Schmude

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Land Cover ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Local Population ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Runoff Reduction

AbstractUrban green spaces provide ecosystem services that can be used by the local population. The valuation of these ecosystem services in urban areas gives information for stakeholders and decision-makers to improve urban planning processes. In addition, this information can be used to provide a better understanding of how urban green spaces should be managed. In this study, we quantify and monetize four ecosystem services (carbon sequestration and storage, air pollution removal, runoff reduction, groundwater recharge) provided by the urban green space of Schlosspark Nymphenburg in Munich, Germany. We classify four different land cover types (tree, grass/herbaceous, water, impervious) to calculate different amounts of ecosystem services according to the land cover type. In addition, we quantify the maintenance costs which this urban green space causes to the city of Munich. The interpretation, communication and risks of valuations studies are discussed.

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DIFFERENCE IN PERCEPTION OF URBAN GREEN SPACES BETWEEN DANCHI AND APARTMENT RESIDENTS IN TOKIWADAIRA, MATSUDO CITY, JAPAN (Perbedaan dalam Persepsi Ruang Hijau Perkotaan di antara Penghuni Kompleks Rumah Susun dan Apartemen di Tokiwadaira, Kota Matsudo, Jepang)

Jurnal Manusia dan Lingkungan ◽

10.22146/jml.35608 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 80

Author(s):

Prita Indah Pratiwi ◽

Minseo Kim ◽

Katsunori Furuya

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Local Governments ◽

Green Space ◽

Landscape Planning ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Survey Analysis ◽

Chi Square ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces

AbstractIn Japan, where most of the population now comprises elderly people, various social problems have emerged, including lack of workers, inadequate care for elderly people, lower birthrate, the abandonment of local areas, and lack of community. In highly populated urban areas, city planners propose sustainable landscape planning but sometimes ignore the public, eliminating their sense of place. This study aimed to clarify the differences in green space perception between residents of danchi and apartments in Tokiwadaira, Matsudo, to learn what residents’ attributes may influence their perceptions, and to formulate factors of recognition and awareness of urban green spaces. The research was conducted in three stages: a recognition and awareness survey, analysis, and interpretation. A Mann-Whitney U test and Welch’s t test were applied to examine significant differences in perception level; a Chi-square test was applied to examine the relationship between residents’ attributes and volunteering activity; finally, factor analysis was applied to characterize residents’ recognition and awareness of nature and green spaces. The results demonstrated three significant differences regarding the benefits of green spaces between danchi and apartment residents, and five significant differences in their interest in green spaces. The attributes influencing danchi residents’ perceptions were gender and age, while those influencing apartment residents were age, existence of children, employment status, length of stay, and existence of green spaces. The three factors accounting for residents’ interest in green spaces and nature were: high recognition and awareness, moderate recognition and awareness, and low recognition and awareness. The results may prove useful as guidance for specific local governments in relation to urban green space planning and design. AbstrakDi Jepang di mana sebagian besar penduduknya terdiri atas orang lanjut usia, berbagai masalah sosial telah terjadi, seperti kurangnya tenaga kerja, perawatan bagi orang lanjut usia yang rendah, kelahiran anak-anak yang rendah, terabaikannya daerah setempat, dan kurangnya komunitas. Di daerah perkotaan yang berpenduduk padat, perencana kota mengusulkan perencanaan lanskap berkelanjutan, tetapi terkadang mengabaikan publik dan menghilangkan makna tempat mereka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperjelas perbedaan persepsi ruang hijau antara penghuni di kompleks rumah susun semi publik dan apartemen di Tokiwadaira, Matsudo, untuk mengetahui atribut penghuni yang dapat mempengaruhi persepsi mereka, dan untuk merumuskan faktor-faktor pengenalan dan kesadaran akan ruang hijau perkotaan. Penelitian ini dilakukan dalam tiga tahap: survei kesadaran dan pengenalan, analisis, dan interpretasi. Uji Mann-Whitney U dan Welch's t digunakan untuk menguji perbedaan level persepsi yang signifikan antara penghuni danchi dan apartemen. Uji Chi-square digunakan untuk menguji hubungan antara atribut penghuni dan kegiatan sukarela, terakhir analisis faktor digunakan untuk mengkarakterisasi pengenalan dan kesadaran penghuni terhadap alam dan ruang hijau. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat tiga perbedaan signifikan mengenai manfaat ruang hijau di antara penghuni danchi dan apartemen, dan lima perbedaan signifikan terhadap minat ruang hijau. Atribut yang mempengaruhi persepsi penduduk danchi adalah gender dan usia, sedangkan hal-hal yang mempengaruhi penghuni apartemen adalah usia, keberadaan anak, status pekerjaan, lama tinggal, dan keberadaan ruang hijau. Tiga faktor yang menentukan minat penghuni terhadap alam dan ruang hijau di antaranya: pengenalan dan kesadaran yang tinggi, pengenalan dan kesadaran yang sedang, serta pengenalan dan kesadaran yang rendah. Hasil penelitian ini dapat berguna sebagai panduan perencanaan dan desain ruang hijau kota untuk pemerintah lokal.

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Using GIS Analysis to Assess Urban Green Space in Terms of Real Estate Development

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Horticulture ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:2020.0061 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

Iulia COROIAN ◽

Mircea Emil NAP ◽

Ioana Delia POP ◽

Florica MATEI ◽

Tudor SĂLĂGEAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Estate ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Real Estate Market ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Area Of Interest ◽

Per Capita

Urban green spaces (UGS) contribute to the development of the ecosystem, especially in crowded urban areas such as cooling effect, air and noise pollution mitigation, recreation, aesthetic pleasure, quality of life and public health, as well as economic benefits, such as raising the price of the real state in the vicinity of UGS. The aim of the paper is to realize a study on green spaces and an urban distribution of the size of a systematic planning of functional and aesthetic qualities. This study examines the distribution and amount of green space, as well as the size and rates per capita are assessed. Even the distribution of distance and the accessibility of green areas throughout the city are closely linked to ensuring recreational needs. Spatial statistics using GIS have made possible the development of correct, coherent explanatory UGS variables such as distance, size, density, connectivity, sight and accessibility. The parks and all green spaces composed of polygons were digitized from the ArcGIS Attribute Table for the evaluation of per capita rates and the execution of a plan to combat the deficit of green spaces. In order to make an assessment of the green spaces, a comparative study of the area of interest from 2010 and 2020 was considered. According to the spatial analyses from ArcGis, during the 10 years, an intense real estate market was developed, affecting the distribution of green spaces per capita.

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Towards a ‘City in Nature’: Evaluating the Cultural Ecosystem Services Approach to Support Urban Green Space Management

10.20944/preprints202112.0417.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Fan Koh ◽

Ho Huu Loc ◽

Edward Park

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Environmental Research ◽

Future Research ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Space Management ◽

Urban Green

Cultural ecosystem services has been increasingly influential in both environmental research and policy decision-making, such as for urban green spaces However, its popular definition conflates the concepts of ‘services’ and ‘benefits’ which made it challenging for planners to employ it directly for urban green space management. One the most widely used definition of this non-tangible ecosystem services are “functions of environmental spaces and cultural activities which may then result in the enjoyment of cultural ecosystem benefits”; yet the latter itself have never found its way into official laws and regulations. In this study, via a case study in Singapore, we propose new evidence to re-evaluate and re-position the two of the most important emerging concepts in managing the green spaces in urban areas. Using the transdisciplinary mixed methods of public participation GIS and social media text mining analysis, a wealth of cultural ecosystem services and their associated benefits were reported. This was especially so with regards to recreational and aesthetic services and experiential benefits. Recommendations to improve the park were also suggested, alongside sharing of methodological considerations for future research. Overall, this paper recommends the employment of the redefined cultural ecosystem services conceptual framework to generate relational, data-driven and actionable insights to better support urban green space management, which is not only useful to Singapore governments but also world-wide relevant.

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Association between urban green space and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: A longitudinal study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33917/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yoosun Cho ◽

Seulggie Choi ◽

Sumin Seo ◽

Gyeongsil Lee ◽

Sang Min Park

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Well Being ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green

Abstract BackgroundsAlthough studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of green spaces on general well being, the benefits of urban green spaces on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are still unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we sought to ascertain the connection between the presence of green spaces in urban environments and risk of AD.MethodsThe study sample comprised 294,983 participants, aged 40–74 years, and was derived from the Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort. We used data of area (m2) and amount of artificial parks in 2005, provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Starting from 2009, after removing those who received a dementia diagnosis within 1–3 years of gathering the index data, participants received follow-up AD testing. The Cox proportional-hazards model was utilized to establish the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of AD risk, based on the amount of urban green space area.ResultsCompared to the quartile with the least amount of green space, participants in the highest urban space quartile had a reduced risk of receiving an AD diagnosis (aHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.99). The mediating effect of green space presence on AD was stronger among those in higher household income brackets (aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–0.99), with more comorbidities (aHR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.96), and without disabilities (aHR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.97).ConclusionsLiving in urban areas with increased green space coverage may ultimately result in a lower risk of being diagnosed with AD. Urban planning strategies capable of boosting the total coverage of urban green space may assist in reducing AD risk.

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Modelling Physical Accessibility to Public Green Spaces in Switzerland to Support the SDG11

Geomatics ◽

10.3390/geomatics1040022 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 383-398

Author(s):

Camille Chênes ◽

Gregory Giuliani ◽

Nicolas Ray

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Green Space ◽

Population Distribution ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Sustainable Urban Development ◽

Strong Impact ◽

Road Density ◽

Urban Green ◽

Physical Accessibility

Urban sprawl has a strong impact on the provision and use of green spaces and, consequently, on the benefits that society can derive from these natural ecosystems, especially in terms of public health. In looking at the Sustainable Development Goals and other regional policy frameworks, there is a strong need for quantifying access to green spaces. This study presents and applies a methodology to model the physical accessibility at national and sub-national scales to public green spaces (i.e., urban green spaces and forests) in Switzerland, using AccessMod and ArcGIS travel time functions. We found that approximately 75% and 36% of the Swiss population can access the nearest urban green space within 5 min and 15 min, respectively, using motorized transport. For motorized access to the nearest forest patch, 72% and 52% of the population are within 5 min and 15 min, respectively. When considering only the main urban areas, approximately 55% of the population can walk to the nearest urban green space within 5 min. However, a high heterogeneity in access exists at cantonal and municipal levels, depending on road density, green space density, and population distribution. Despite some possible challenges in correctly delineating public green spaces, our methodology offers a replicable approach offering not only insights into sustainable urban development, but also the facilitation of comparison with other European countries.

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Biscogniauxia (Hypoxylon) Canker or Dieback in Trees

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-fr407-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Claudia Paez ◽

Jason A. Smith

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Tree Species ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Root Disease ◽

Poor Health ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Opportunistic Pathogens ◽

Wide Range ◽

Quercus Spp

Biscogniauxia canker or dieback (formerly called Hypoxylon canker or dieback) is a common contributor to poor health and decay in a wide range of tree species (Balbalian & Henn 2014). This disease is caused by several species of fungi in the genus Biscogniauxia (formerly Hypoxylon). B. atropunctata or B. mediterranea are usually the species found on Quercus spp. and other hosts in Florida, affecting trees growing in many different habitats, such as forests, parks, green spaces and urban areas (McBride & Appel, 2009). Typically, species of Biscogniauxia are opportunistic pathogens that do not affect healthy and vigorous trees; some species are more virulent than others. However, once they infect trees under stress (water stress, root disease, soil compaction, construction damage etc.) they can quickly colonize the host. Once a tree is infected and fruiting structures of the fungus are evident, the tree is not likely to survive especially if the infection is in the tree's trunk (Anderson et al., 1995).

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