Response of the Zygopteran Community (Odonata: Insecta) to Change in Environmental Integrity Driven by Urbanization in Eastern Amazonian Streams

The accelerated and disordered growth of large urban centers has caused a significant loss of biodiversity and the negative effects are more significant in aquatic environments. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the effects of environmental change due to urbanization in the abundance and biomass patterns of species belonging to the Zygoptera suborder. We tested the hypothesis that, in altered streams, there will be a predominance of organisms with fast growth and small biomass (r-strategists), and intermediate streams will have an overlapping of r and k-strategists. In control streams, there will be a predominance of k-strategists, with slow growth, decreased abundance, and high biomass. Urban expansion in Amazonian streams will cause loss of Zygoptera species richness. Streams draining urban areas will have higher air temperatures than control streams. Thus, small-sized and less abundant species will be favored. We sampled 15 streams in the metropolitan area of Belém. Sites were classified, using the index of physical habitat integrity, as control, intermediate and altered. Comparisons between biomass and abundance were analyzed using W Statistics. Our analyses showed that: the effects of urbanization cause loss of k-strategists and favors r-strategists, once abundance was placed above biomass; in intermediate environments, contrary to what we expected, there was no overlapping of strategies, once r-strategists were also placed above k-strategists; in control environments, biomass was placed above abundance, suggesting these environments have a predominance of k-strategist species, as we suggested; and we observed increased levels of temperature favor the most abundant species, the ones having generalist biological mechanisms; however, contrary to what we expected, there was no difference in richness. With these results, we reinforce the need for public policies to create or maintain the riparian forest along streams running through urban areas and create or maintain urban parks.

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How does landscape anthropization affect the myrmecofauna of urban forest fragments?

Sociobiology ◽

10.13102/sociobiology.v65i3.3042 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 441

Author(s):

Graziele Da Silva Santiago ◽

B. R. F. Campos ◽

Carla Rodrigues Ribas

Keyword(s):

Urban Area ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Riparian Forest ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Arboreal Ants ◽

Minas Gerais State ◽

Remnant Forest

We evaluate whether landscape variables surrounding urban remnant forest fragments influence ant diversity and its components in urban areas. The study was conducted in six riparian forest fragments in midwestern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, by sampling epigaeic and arboreal ants. Arboreal ants respond to fragmente isolation with changes in alpha, beta and gamma diversities. Isolation likely hinders dispersion and re-colonization such that the more isolated a fragment is, the less likely that new species arrive there. On other hand, epigaeic diversity did not show any response to variables of the surroundings or fragments, probably because natural periodic floods constitute a more severe disturbance for these ants. In addition, throughout the process of urbanization, anthropogenic improvements, such as paving, that prevent the natural percolation of water, increase the flooding of riparian soil. Arboreal ant species composition responds to percentage of urban area, fragment area and distance from the urban center, while epigaeic ants respond only to fragment area and percentage of urban area. We believe that even with the loss of species diversity and anthropogenic influences on fragments within urban centers, these areas are still important for species conservation. We also suggest the development of environmental protection projects for riparian áreas within urban centers, including investments in ecological corridors connecting fragments and public policies seeking to preserve these areas.

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Evolução Espaço-Temporal da Ocupação Urbana Sobre Áreas Naturais em Ambientes Costeiros

Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física ◽

10.26848/rbgf.v14.4.p1957-1971 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 1957-1971

Author(s):

Joseane Dunga Costa ◽

Ricardo Farias Amaral ◽

Paulo Victor do Nascimento Araújo

Keyword(s):

Riparian Forest ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Significant Loss ◽

Aerial Photographs ◽

Natural Areas ◽

Land Occupation ◽

Contour Lines ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Local Water ◽

Impervious Areas

This work aimed to perform a multidecadal analysis of the spatio-temporal evolution of urban occupation over natural areas in the South and West Zones of the Natal-RN city, through geotechnologies and field study. Between 1969 and 2013, the impacts of urban expansion on tthe main Permanent Preservation Areas - PPA (banks of rivers and lagoons, and dunes remaining) and their temporal changes were identified and characterized. For this, aerial photographs, satellite images and contour lines were used, in addition to pre-existing information, which allowed the creation of a robust spatial database, which resulted in the construction of evolution maps of impervious areas and the use of and land occupation. In general, it was found that urban occupation advanced about 60% over the studied natural areas. This advance was increasing until 2006, when there was a slowdown in this process, except for the Environmental Protection Zone (EPZ) 03, where the Pitimbu River and its PPA are located, which experienced a more significant loss of area. The urban occupation affected the natural drainage and contributed to the contamination of the groundwater of Natal, due to the increase of the waterproofed area, the release of solid and liquid residues, as well as the removal of the riparian forest, which irreversibly altered the natural landscape. And reduced the quality and quantity of local water resources needed by the population.

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The Rush to the Peripheries: Land Rights and Tenure Security in Peri-Urban Ethiopia

Land ◽

10.3390/land10020193 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 193

Author(s):

Addiswork Teklemariam ◽

Logan Cochrane

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Land Rights ◽

Analytical Framework ◽

Urban Land ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Tenure Security ◽

Authorized User ◽

Study Sites

As the global population continues to urbanize, increasing pressure is put upon urban centers and the carrying capacity of the already built-up areas. One way to meet these demands is horizontal expansion, which requires new lands to become incorporated into urban centers. In most cases, this demand is met by converting peri-urban land into urban land as the urban center expands. These processes of expansion into the peri-urban, however, create tension regarding land use and land rights, and may foster tenure insecurity if not well managed. As in many countries, Ethiopia is experiencing extensive urban population growth and the peri-urban areas at the edge of urban centers are under pressure. This study investigates land rights issues and tenure security conditions of peri-urban farmers in the case study sites of Addis Ababa and Hawassa. The findings reveal that urban expansion into the peripheral agricultural lands and the resulting tenure system change has caused intense perceived tenure insecurity among peri-urban farmers. The range of land rights exercised differs in these two sites, as measured by the property rights analytical framework. Peri-urban farmers in Hawassa hold weak owner positions, enabling them to exercise thicker rights. However, peri-urban farmers in Addis Ababa hold weak claimant positions, which is slightly above the operational level right of an authorized user. This analysis suggests that the urban development and expansion strategies adopted by the respective city administrations are impacting land rights of the peri-urban farmers and their tenure security, albeit in unique ways, from which lessons can be drawn about how urban expansion policies can be more appropriately designed and implemented.

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Álgebra de mapas aplicado na determinação das ocupações irregulares e o risco ambiental em Catolé do Rocha-PB

Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentável ◽

10.18378/rvads.v11i1.3925 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 01

Author(s):

J. C. Menezes Júnior ◽

J. S. Almeida ◽

W. F. Melo ◽

A. B. A. Andrade ◽

A. W. R. Pereira

Keyword(s):

Urban Space ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Riparian Forest ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Source Area ◽

Construction Risk ◽

Methodological Procedures ◽

Official Sources

Resumo: O processo de crescimento desordenado e sem planejamento das cidades trouxe consequências desastrosas sobre o espaço urbano e a qualidade de vida da população, além de provocar profundas modificações no meio ambiente, contribuindo para geração de áreas vulneráveis. Dessa forma, o trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso e ocupação do solo no meio urbano quanto a geração de riscos, adotando-se o munícipio de Catolé do Rocha-PB, como estudo de caso. Dentre os procedimentos metodológicos, partiu-se de revisão bibliográfica, consulta documental a fontes e dados oficiais, emprego de imagens de satélite, com aferição de informações em campo do uso e ocupação do solo, além de dados pluviométricos para avaliação dos territórios de risco. Constatou-se que a expansão urbana foi direcionada para área de manancial, assim como no sentido do Riacho Agon, desmatando parte da mata ciliar, contribuindo para a construção do risco. Tais problemas socioambientais só serão solucionados por intermédio de conscientização ambiental e adoção de uma política habitacional criteriosa.Algebra maps used in determining the irregular occupations and environmental risk in Catolé do Rocha-PBAbstract: The process of uncontrolled and unplanned growth of cities has brought disastrous consequences on the urban space and the population's quality of life, besides causing profound changes in the environment, contributing to generation of vulnerable áreas. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the use and occupation of land in urban areas as the generation of risk, adopting the municipality of Catolé do Rocha-PB, as a case study. Among the methodological procedures, broke up the literature review, document refers to official sources and data, satellite images employment, with scouting information on the use and occupation field, and rainfall data to assess the risk territories. It was found that urban expansion was directed to source area, as well as towards Riacho Agon, clearing of the riparian forest, contributing to the construction risk. Such environmental problems will only be solved through environmental awareness and adoption of a careful housing policy.

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Effects of urbanization on small-mammal communities and the population structure of synurbic species: an example of a medium-sized city

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2012-0168 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 91 (8) ◽

pp. 554-561 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Rafał Łopucki ◽

Iwona Mróz ◽

Łukasz Berliński ◽

Marzena Burzych

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Large City ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Green Areas ◽

Impact Of Urbanization ◽

The Impact ◽

The City

Theories concerning the impact of urbanization on ground-dwelling mammals are mainly based on large-city studies. We investigated whether the negative effects of urbanization are evident in smaller urban areas, where green areas are usually less isolated from their natural surroundings. Livetrapping of small mammals (Rodentia and Soricomorpha) was conducted between 2007 and 2010 in 15 patches within the city of Lublin (Poland) (147.5 km2, population 354 000) and 15 patches in its agricultural surroundings. A decline in species richness and diversity along an urbanization gradient and an increase in the abundance of species best adapted to the city environment (synurbic species) were observed. The main factors influencing ground-dwelling mammals was isolation of green patches, while the management type of green areas had no significant effect. The genus Apodemus Kaup, 1829, particularly the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771)), was the most urban biased. Within the city, A. agrarius alters its habitat preferences and life-history parameters (body mass, seasonal fluctuations, winter survival). Understanding the factors influencing ground-dwelling mammals in medium-sized cities will enable measures to be implemented that could reduce the negative effects of urbanization during urban expansion.

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Problems of Development of Small and Medium Russian Towns

Economics and Management ◽

10.35854/1998-1627-2019-7-24-29 ◽

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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Spatial-Temporal Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Urban Areas Using Remote Sensing Images and GIS Analysis: The Case Study of Opole, Poland

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences11080312 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 312

Author(s):

Barbara Wiatkowska ◽

Janusz Słodczyk ◽

Aleksandra Stokowska

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Land Use ◽

Land Cover ◽

Satellite Imagery ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Rate Of Increase ◽

Management Procedures

Urban expansion is a dynamic and complex phenomenon, often involving adverse changes in land use and land cover (LULC). This paper uses satellite imagery from Landsat-5 TM, Landsat-8 OLI, Sentinel-2 MSI, and GIS technology to analyse LULC changes in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. The research was carried out in Opole, the capital of the Opole Agglomeration (south-western Poland). Maps produced from supervised spectral classification of remote sensing data revealed that in 20 years, built-up areas have increased about 40%, mainly at the expense of agricultural land. Detection of changes in the spatial pattern of LULC showed that the highest average rate of increase in built-up areas occurred in the zone 3–6 km (11.7%) and above 6 km (10.4%) from the centre of Opole. The analysis of the increase of built-up land in relation to the decreasing population (SDG 11.3.1) has confirmed the ongoing process of demographic suburbanisation. The paper shows that satellite imagery and GIS can be a valuable tool for local authorities and planners to monitor the scale of urbanisation processes for the purpose of adapting space management procedures to the changing environment.

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A multiscale assessment of Red-tailed Hawk reproductive success relative to urban density and habitat type

Journal of Urban Ecology ◽

10.1093/jue/juaa023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Justin H White ◽

Jessi L Brown ◽

Zachary E Ormsby

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Nesting Success ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Hatch Date ◽

Urban Density ◽

Landscape Characteristics ◽

Suburban Areas ◽

Breeding Seasons

Abstract Despite the unique threats to wildlife in urban areas, many raptors have established successfully reproducing urban populations. To identify variations in raptor breeding ecology within an urban area, we compared metrics of Red-tailed Hawk reproductive attempts to landscape characteristics in Reno and Sparks, NV, USA during the 2015 and 2016 breeding seasons. We used the Apparent Nesting Success and logistic exposure methods to measure nesting success of the Red-tailed Hawks. We used generalized linear models to relate nesting success and fledge rate to habitat type, productivity to hatch date (Julian day) and hatch date to urban density. Nesting success was 86% and 83% for the respective years. Nesting success increased in grassland-agricultural and shrub habitats and decreased in riparian habitat within the urban landscape. Productivity was 2.23 and 2.03 per nest for the breeding seasons. Fledge rates were 72% and 77%, respectively, and decreased in riparian areas. Nestlings hatched earlier with increased urban density and earliest in suburban areas, following a negative quadratic curve. Nesting success and productivity for this population were high relative to others in North America. Productivity increased in habitats where ground prey was more accessible. We suggest that suburban areas, if not frequently disturbed, provide sufficient resources to sustain Red-tailed Hawks over extended periods. As urban expansion continues in arid environments globally, we stress that researchers monitor reproductive output across the urban predator guild to elucidate patterns in population dynamics and adaptation.

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iBikeSafe: A Multi-Parameter System for Monitoring, Evaluation and Visualization of Cycling Paths in Smart Cities Targeted at Cycling Adverse Conditions

Smart Cities ◽

10.3390/smartcities4030056 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 1058-1086

Author(s):

Franklin Oliveira ◽

Daniel G. Costa ◽

Luciana Lima ◽

Ivanovitch Silva

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Smart Cities ◽

Large City ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Parameter System ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Adverse Conditions ◽

Last Mile ◽

Real Scenario

The fast transformation of the urban centers, pushed by the impacts of climatic changes and the dramatic events of the COVID-19 Pandemic, will profoundly influence our daily mobility. This resulted scenario is expected to favor adopting cleaner and flexible modal solutions centered on bicycles and scooters, especially as last-mile options. However, as the use of bicycles has rapidly increased, cyclists have been subject to adverse conditions that may affect their health and safety when cycling in urban areas. Therefore, whereas cities should implement mechanisms to monitor and evaluate adverse conditions in cycling paths, cyclists should have some effective mechanism to visualize the indirect quality of cycling paths, eventually supporting choosing more appropriate routes. Therefore, this article proposes a comprehensive multi-parameter system based on multiple independent subsystems, covering all phases of data collecting, formatting, transmission, and processing related to the monitoring, evaluating, and visualizing the quality of cycling paths in the perspective of adverse conditions that affect cyclist. The formal interactions of all modules are carefully described, as well as implementation and deployment details. Additionally, a case study is considered for a large city in Brazil, demonstrating how the proposed system can be adopted in a real scenario.

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Mapping 20 Years of Urban Expansion in 45 Urban Areas of Sub-Saharan Africa

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13030525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 525

Author(s):

Yann Forget ◽

Michal Shimoni ◽

Marius Gilbert ◽

Catherine Linard

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Local Population ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Annual Growth Rate ◽

Urban Dynamics ◽

Mapping Approach ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Impact

By 2050, half of the net increase in the world’s population is expected to reside in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), driving high urbanization rates and drastic land cover changes. However, the data-scarce environment of SSA limits our understanding of the urban dynamics in the region. In this context, Earth Observation (EO) is an opportunity to gather accurate and up-to-date spatial information on urban extents. During the last decade, the adoption of open-access policies by major EO programs (CBERS, Landsat, Sentinel) has allowed the production of several global high resolution (10–30 m) maps of human settlements. However, mapping accuracies in SSA are usually lower, limited by the lack of reference datasets to support the training and the validation of the classification models. Here we propose a mapping approach based on multi-sensor satellite imagery (Landsat, Sentinel-1, Envisat, ERS) and volunteered geographic information (OpenStreetMap) to solve the challenges of urban remote sensing in SSA. The proposed mapping approach is assessed in 17 case studies for an average F1-score of 0.93, and applied in 45 urban areas of SSA to produce a dataset of urban expansion from 1995 to 2015. Across the case studies, built-up areas averaged a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% between 1995 and 2015. The comparison with local population dynamics reveals the heterogeneity of urban dynamics in SSA. Overall, population densities in built-up areas are decreasing. However, the impact of population growth on urban expansion differs depending on the size of the urban area and its income class.

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