Landscape Features Research Articles

Understory vegetation can promote bird sounds and reduce traffic noise in urban park soundscapes

Natural soundscapes commonly experienced in parks are increasingly valued as an important cultural ecosystem service with the potential to promote greater mental well-being for people. Yet the quality of urban park soundscapes can differ, containing varying proportions of natural sounds, such as bird calls, and anthropogenic noise, such as vehicle traffic. These soundscapes are linked to underlying landscape features yet their role in shaping both beneficial natural sounds and unwanted anthropogenic noise remains unclear. We address this gap by analysing the influence of park and surrounding landscape characteristics on a range of urban park soundscapes in Brisbane, Australia, with respect to bird sounds and traffic noise. We recorded audio in 67 parks in Brisbane, Australia and quantified bird call volume, bird call diversity and traffic noise volume for each recording. We then used multiple linear regression analyses to determine the influence of land cover classes, vertical vegetation density and distance to a main road on each of these dimensions. We show that greater vegetation density in the understory has a positive influence on the loudness and diversity of bird calls within park soundscapes and a negative influence on traffic noise. Traffic noise was also associated with greater proximity to a main road and higher canopy height, whilst greater impervious surface appeared to increase the dominant sound type (i.e. either bird sounds or traffic noise) within the soundscape. These findings highlight the importance of managing the landscape features of urban parks to promote higher quality soundscapes. Results suggest that greater vegetation density and complexity, particularly in the understory, has potential as a nature-based solution to enhance the diversity of bird calls within park soundscapes whilst also mitigating traffic noise.

Canopy cover has divergent effects on movement of closely related bumble bees in managed conifer forest landscapes

ContextFunctional connectivity—the degree to which landscape features facilitate or impede movement among resource patches—affects animal survival, health, and ability to cope with environmental changes. This is particularly important in heterogeneous landscapes prone to rapid change, such as intensively managed forests.ObjectivesWe aimed to quantify the effects of forest canopy cover and roads on foraging movement of two closely related bumble bee species (Bombus vosnesenskii and Bombus caliginosus) in coniferous forest landscapes intensively managed for timber. We also assessed whether early seral forest configuration predicted site-level colony abundance for each species.MethodsWe sampled bumble bees and surveyed floral resources in 75 sites in three study landscapes in the central Oregon Coast Range. We modeled the effects of forest canopy cover and secondary road cover on foraging range using a genetic capture-recapture approach and modeled colony abundance as a function of site-level structural connectivity of early seral forest.ResultsWe found evidence that canopy cover impeded foraging movement of B. vosnesenskii but not of B. caliginosus. Roads had neutral or inhibitory effects on B. vosnesenskii movement depending on the landscape but only inhibitory effects on B. caliginosus movement. Colony abundance was not related to site-level connectivity for either species.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that landscape features can have divergent effects on space use of even closely related taxa and that site-level response variables may not always reflect functional connectivity. Management of early seral forest habitats should consider not only patch quality but also configuration and species-specific permeability of matrix features.

Exploring the influence of habitat, ground refugia and behavioral strategies on the overwintering success of Drosophila suzukii, Matsumura.

The overwintering biology of Drosophila suzukii is poorly understood. While thermal tolerance studies suggest that winter morphotype females likely survive harsh winters given physiological changes that lead to cold-hardening, additional factors such as habitat selection are likely important but poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted a field study at three vineyard sites to investigate winter habitat selection, a semi-field study to measure survival outcomes depending on various ground refugia, and a laboratory study to evaluate vertical movement in response to simulated flood conditions often observed in winter. Our results showed three things. First, Drosophila suzukii was most abundant in wooded areas of vineyards and near pomace piles. Few were captured in the vineyard itself and even fewer were captured in the winery facilities. Second, insulating ground cover such as straw was beneficial to improving survivability. Third, while insulating ground cover was beneficial during stable periods below freezing, during warm-up periods where snow melts and subsequently floods the ground, fly mobility and vertical movement was critical for survival. Cold acclimated flies are active participants in their environment, even at freezing temperatures, navigating changing landscape features and adjusting their position in response to temperature and ground conditions. Our data showed for the first time that cold acclimated flies are capable of vertical movement even at freezing temperatures as water levels rise at the ground level during thaw events. Thus, the overwintering behavior and ecology of D. suzukii is more complex than previously thought, and there are likely several factors in addition to physiological cold hardening that contribute to overwintering success. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Research on improving urban park green space landscape quality based on public psychological perception: a comprehensive AHP-TOPSIS-POE evaluation of typical parks in Jinan City

During rapid urbanization, environmental issues significantly affect urban residents health. Urban parks and green spaces play a crucial role in urban planning and layout, significantly impacting residents quality of life and livability. This study constructs a comprehensive landscape evaluation model, “AHP-TOPSIS-POE” from the perspective of behavioral psychological perception. It uses four urban parks in Jinan City (Qianfoshan Park, Baotu Spring Park, Daming Lake Park, and Quancheng Park) as case study samples. This method validates its feasibility by converting subjective perceptions into objective data. The research findings are as follows: (1) Urban park green space landscapes are significantly correlated with public psychological recovery; (2) The weight ranking of the criteria layer is as follows: Landscape Perception (B4) 0.5135 > Social Interaction (B3) 0.3015 > Spatial Form (B2) 0.1244 > Visual Quality (B1) 0.0606; (3) The relative closeness ranking of the four typical urban parks in Jinan City is as follows: Qianfoshan Park > Quancheng Park > Daming Lake Park > Baotu Spring Park. This study aims to reduce the subjectivity of evaluation indicators, raise public awareness of high-quality cognition and emotional experiences, and provide a scientific basis for the development of scientifically reasonable urban park green landscapes.

IUGS Heritage Stones as Representatives of Geology and Human Culture: Examples from Germany

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) acknowledges building stones that have shaped the national or international building culture as IUGS Heritage Stones (HS). Four German building stones were recently awarded the title. Using the Rochlitz Porphyry Tuff, the Solnhofen Limestone, the Jura Marble Limestone and the German Roofing Slate as examples, geological, cultural and construction as well as extraction aspects of the respective stones are examined. It is demonstrated that these natural stones have significant influence on the character of the relevant cultural landscapes and are – in this or that way – iconic for the German building culture. The relationship between regional geology and regional building culture is highlighted. Furthermore, aspects of IUGS HS designation with respect to education, science and tourism are discussed.

Unveiling the intriguing relationship: oncogenic KRAS, morphological shifts, and mutational complexity in pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often arises from preexisting cystic lesions such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN). This study investigated the molecular heterogeneity and mutational landscape of MCN in relation to PDAC, highlighting the significance of KRAS mutations in tumor progression. Utilizing targeted next-generation sequencing on low-grade MCN and invasive PDAC samples, we identified a substantial overlap in mutational profiles, particularly mutations in KRAS, TP53, and FBXW7. Specifically, 69.2% of MCN exhibited somatic mutations, with KRAS mutations being a predominant oncogenic driver. The characterization of mutant versus wildtype KRAS variant allele frequencies (VAF) indicated higher mutation levels in PDAC compared to MCN, suggesting an evolutionary trajectory toward malignancy. Further histological analysis of 12 additional MCN cases revealed significant intratumor heterogeneity, with variant KRAS mutation distributions correlating with distinct cellular morphologies and dysplastic features. Additionally, we explored the potential of liquid biopsies, demonstrating a concordance rate of 71.4% for KRAS mutation detection in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) relative to tissue biopsies across cohorts. Our findings underscore the relevance of evaluating KRAS mutations-herein referred to as VAF per microdissected region-as they relate to histopathological markers of dysplasia, contributing to improved stratification of pancreatic lesions and facilitating personalized treatment strategies. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis of MCN highlights the importance of KRAS as a crucial biomarker for both malignant progression and therapeutic decision-making in pancreatic pathology. Ultimately, our study suggests that characterizing the mutational landscape and histological features of MCN can enhance early detection and intervention strategies for at-risk patients. © 2025 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

The effect of nature-based landscape design on human health and well-being: a thematic synthesis

Population growth, high-density living situations, and rapid urbanization lead to environmental change that affects ecosystems, human behavior, and well-being. To design health-promoting urban landscapes, it is necessary to conduct more detailed studies of landscape features. However, there is a lack of review articles discussing specific approaches and factors of landscape design for human well-being in evidence-based landscape research. Therefore, this review aims to explore the research trends and future studies’ direction by adopting a thematic analysis approach. Using ATLAS.ti 23 software, we analyzed 40 literature articles on landscape design and human well-being published between 2018 and 2022. The article attribute findings show the research trends on the topic. Six main themes emerged from the subsequent qualitative analysis: (1) Human-nature Interactions, (2) Health-promoting Design, (3) Integrative Strategies, (4) Landscape Intervention, (5) Perceptions and Restorativeness, and (6) Sustainability. The resulting framework serves to guide landscape designers, urban planners, and researchers to improve the effectiveness of public social, physical, and mental health with feasible measures and design approaches.

Can camera traps predict habitat-species associations? A comparison with GPS-based habitat selection in red deer

ContextCamera traps are widely used in ecological studies, including analyses of habitat use. However, the relationships between animal spatial behavior and landscape features obtained with camera traps have seldom been compared to those obtained with more established methods.ObjectivesWe evaluated the use of camera trap data to predict habitat use in red deer Cervus elaphus by comparing them to GPS telemetry data, used as a benchmark.MethodsWithin a 100 km2 study area in the Stelvio National Park (Italy), we collected red deer presence data from 50 camera traps from 2019 to 2023. In addition, 23 deer (15 females and 8 males) were equipped with global positioning system collars. For both types of data, we modeled presence/absence as a function of environmental variables using a generalized linear mixed modeling approach. Model estimates were compared in terms of directionality of the effects and of predicted habitat suitability.ResultsWe found a higher concordance of effect directionality and predicted suitability for females than for males, possibly due to limited sample size in the latter. Discrepancies were found in specific habitat relationships and may be due to inherent differences between telemetry-based and camera trap-based data.ConclusionsOur results suggest that camera trap data can capture coarse-scale patterns of habitat use, whereas telemetry data are more suitable for finer-scale analyses. The choice of which method to use depends on the research objectives.

The relationship between perception and landscape characteristics of recreational places with human mental well-being.

Being outdoors benefits both humans' physical and mental well-being, but the reasons for this connection are difficult to pinpoint. This study examines 40 recreational areas to understand their individual characteristics' impact on mental well-being. We interviewed 1184 visitors on their perception of the place and feeling of mental well-being. In a second survey, 49 participants were shown images of the areas to assess whether they perceived them in the same way as people on-site did. Biologists then evaluated the areas through bird and biotope surveys, also assessing various other landscape characteristics of the study areas. Analysis using a two-level multivariate GLM revealed that perceived naturalness and perceived bird diversity are significant predictors of improved mental well-being. On the flip side, mental well-being declines with increased human impact, as indicated by the amount of infrastructure and the Human Footprint Index value. Notably, perceived naturalness positively correlates with actual bird diversity (p = 0.005) and negatively with human impact (p = 0.006). A strong perception of birds enhances the mental well-being of greenspace visitors (p < 0.001), while a high birding specialization negatively affects recalled restoration (p = 0.014). The estimated restoration value (p = 0.001) and estimated beauty (p < 0.001) from the online survey correlate positively with emotions experienced on-site. The perception of naturalness in images aligns with on-site perception, suggesting pathways for future research and the design of recreational areas.

Comparative phylogeography of four lizard taxa within an oceanic island.

Comparative phylogeography aims to detect common patterns of differentiation among taxa attributed to the same geological or environmental barriers and, thus, find shared drivers of genomic splits and landscape features that explain patterns of occurrence and genetic diversity. Following this approach, this work focuses on four endemic lizard taxa, namely Acanthodactylus schreiberi schreiberi, Ophisops elegans schlueteri, Phoenicolacerta troodica, and Laudakia cypriaca, that co-occur in Cyprus, an isolated island of the Mediterranean. In an attempt to discern possible effects of the geological and ecological history of the region on diversity patterns along the lineages under study, samples were collected from all parts of Cyprus and phylogenetic reconstructions, species delimitation analyses, and biogeographic comparisons were conducted at both genetic and genomic levels (Sanger and ddRAD sequencing data, respectively) for all four taxa. The derived phylogenomic relationships provide evidence of a strong genetic structure within the island that agrees with the geographical origins of each population. A rare case of an island-to-mainland dispersal event is confirmed for one of the focal taxa, making it one of the few documented cases of this type. Estimated diversification times during the Miocene reflect the timing of the first arrival on the island, while further diversification seems to have been strongly affected by the Pleistocene oscillations.

Landscape management can foster pollinator richness in fragmented high-value habitats.

Pollinator diversity is declining due to habitat loss, low habitat quality, limited habitat connectivity and intensification of agriculture in remaining high-value habitats within human-dominated landscapes, such as calcareous grasslands. Options to increase the local area of protected habitats are often limited. Therefore, we asked how local habitat quality as well as agri-environmental schemes (AES) and configuration of the surrounding landscape can contribute to the preservation of pollinator diversity. We sampled bees, butterflies and hoverflies in 40 calcareous grasslands in Germany, and assessed the effects of calcareous grassland area, quality and connectivity, agricultural configuration, and AES on species richness and abundance. While calcareous grassland area was an important predictor for bee and butterfly species richness, with strongest effects sizes for endangered species, local flower resources and nesting sites and landscape characteristics such as small field size, high proportion of organic fields and connectivity with other grasslands significantly enhanced pollinator richness with responses differing among the three studied taxa. In contrast to expectations, AES flowering fields did not benefit pollinator communities in grasslands. We conclude that improving local habitat quality in combination with targeted landscape management are effective measures to promote pollinator richness in highly fragmented protected grassland.

Estimating landscape intensity through farming practices: an integrative and flexible approach to modelling farming intensity from field to landscape.

CONTEXTLandscape intensity is a major driver of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes, and is often used to inform environmental quality. It is commonly described by land cover alone, as farming practices are assumed to be correlated with crop types. Despite their potential impact on field quality, distribution of farming practices at landscape scale is poorly understood, due to the lack of methods for summarizing the numerous farming practices at field and landscape levels. OBJECTIVESThe main objective was to develop a modelling approach that synthesizes the intensity of farming practices at field and landscape levels. Additionally, we sought to assess the importance of considering farming practices in addition to land cover when studying landscape quality. METHODSUsing survey data collected in two contrasting French agricultural areas, we selected and summarized PCA components using an equation adapted from Herzog et al. (2006; DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2005.07.006) to compute practice intensity indices integrating levels of fertilization, pesticides, tillage, mowing/harvesting, or of all practices. We compared the distribution of these indices between crops, landscapes, and study areas. Finally, we compared landscape patch richness as an indicator of their (dis)similarities on the basis of land cover, intensity, and the two superimposed, comparing the use of 2 to 20 intensity classes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONWe found significant differences between land cover intensities, which were not consistent depending on the level of practice considered. Furthermore, for similar crops, we found significant differences between areas. This shows that land cover may not be a good indicator of practice intensity at field level. Moreover, landscape structure described by patch richness differs significantly according to the classification systems studied, and depends on the number of intensity classes considered, which we likened to the sensitivity of a response variable. Thus, landscape intensity based on land cover does not effectively describe that caused by agricultural practices either. SIGNIFICANCEThe method we developed allows studying farming practice intensity at the landscape scale, using any number of numerical descriptors of the intensity of farming practices, to be used flexibly, depending on the objectives and hypotheses of the researchers and the finesse of the practice data available. It also demonstrates its value insofar as land cover proves insufficient to describe the distribution of farming practices between fields and, consequently, the resulting landscape quality. Our method can be used to study a wide range of phenomena linked to landscape intensity, and to reconsider previous assumptions based solely on land cover.

Oocyte transcriptomes and follicular fluid proteomics of ovine atretic follicles reveal the underlying mechanisms of oocyte degeneration

BackgroundIn mammals, female fertility is influenced by the result of follicular development (ovulation or atresia). Follicular atresia is a complex physiological process that results in the degeneration of oocytes from the ovary. However, the molecular mechanisms of oocyte degeneration and key protein markers of follicular atresia remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the complex transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and protein profiles in oocytes and follicular fluid in atretic follicle stages using single-cell RNA sequencing and tandem mass tag proteomics.ResultsFirst, through paired analysis of different follicle development stages, we identified 175 atresia-specific genes and eight candidate oocyte-secreted factors, including PKG1, YTHDF2, and MYC. Meanwhile, we also characterized unique features of the oocyte transcriptional landscape in the atretic follicle stage that displayed cell death-related transcriptional changes and mechanisms, such as autophagy (TBK1 and IRS4), necroptosis (PKR), and apoptosis (MARCKS). Moreover, we identified atresia-specific genes, namely FTH1, TF, and ACSL4, which may participate in regulation of oocyte ferroptosis in atretic follicles through a series of mechanisms including ferritinophagy, ferritin transport, and lipid metabolism. Additionally, we uncovered 333 differentially expressed proteins that may coordinate follicular atresia and revealed key pathways, such as negative regulation of angiogenesis, metabolic pathways, and transcription and mRNA splicing, that lead to oocyte degeneration. Finally, by combining transcriptome and proteomics analyses, we identified two oocyte-secreted biomarkers, PGK1 and ANGPT2, that may be associated with follicular atresia.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our work offers a thorough characterization of oocyte transcription mechanism and follicular fluid protein changes in ovine atretic follicles, which offers a crucial reference for analyzing the mechanism of follicular atresia and establishing an oocyte quality assessment system in sheep.

Alfred Robinson and Ferdinand Deppe

In 1831, Alfred Robinson and Ferdinand Deppe created three of the earliest iconic and idealized artistic renderings of Mission San Gabriel. Though previous artists portrayed the mission building itself as prosaic and unpolished, Robinson and Deppe centered it as a pristine and dominating feature of the natural landscape, laying the foundation for later visual renderings of California’s Spanish Fantasy Past. Robinson’s and Deppe’s privileged positions in their own societies gave them the ability to influence intellectual and political discourse through their institutional and business connections. Their art evinces intersections between trade, secularization, imperialism, and public memory, making them worthy of our scrutiny and reexamination.

Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis in Israel: Genetic Landscape and Clinical Characteristics.

Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare, adult-onset autosomal-dominant disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Data about relevant variants in specific populations and typical initial manifestations may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. We here describe the genetic landscape of ATTRv amyloidosis in Israel. Genetic and clinical data of TTR variant carriers and ATTRv amyloidosis patients were collected from a national referral clinic and other subspecialty clinics in Israel. Genotype-phenotype correlations of the detected variants were detailed. In addition, two large Israeli exome sequence (ES) databases were screened for TTR variants. Seven heterozygous disease-causing variants in TTR were identified among 95 adults (52 males, 50.7%). The Ser77Tyr variant was found in 68 (71.6%) subjects of Jewish Yemenite ancestry. Val122Ile was found in 9 (9.4%) subjects and was the only variant detected in individuals of Arab ethnicity. Other variants were Thr60Ala, Val30Met, Val32Ala, Ala81Val, and Glu89Val. Thirty-five individuals were ATTRv amyloidosis patients (25 males, 71.4%), diagnosed at a mean age of 62.5 ± 6.7 years, and 23 (63.7%) were due to Ser77Tyr. Initial symptoms were mostly related to carpal tunnel syndrome, and the sensitivity of scintigraphy was low for Ser77Tyr but high for Thr60Ala and Val32Ala variants. TTR pathogenic variants were detected in 14 of approximately 36,600 subjects who underwent ES, including Val122Ile in 9 subjects of Arab ethnicity. Most ATTRv amyloidosis cases in Israel are attributable to the Ser77Tyr variant. However, other variants also contribute to disease occurrence, and testing is warranted in clinically suspected patients.

Insight into landscape characteristics influence on the adaptability of estuarine shallow groundwater system to 100-year extreme precipitation

Insight into landscape characteristics influence on the adaptability of estuarine shallow groundwater system to 100-year extreme precipitation

Evaluating immune cell abundance across hepatocellular carcinoma disease stages I-III: Findings from TCGA analysis.

621 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant form of primary liver cancer, is the sixth most prevalent cancer globally and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The tumor microenvironment (TME) in HCC, characterized by complex interactions between immune and tumor cells, significantly influences tumor progression and immune suppression. Understanding the immune landscape across the different stages of HCC can inform prognosis and therapeutic strategies. Methods: We analyzed RNA seq data from 333 HCC patients (disease stages I-III), from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), using the immune deconvolution algorithms CIBERSORT and xCell. Differential gene expression analysis was performed using the DESeq2 package in R. Immune cell abundance across various HCC stages was imputed, and survival analyses was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Results: Of the 19,514 genes analyzed, 2,774 were up-regulated and 947 were down-regulated in stage II and III in comparison to stage I. CIBERSORT and xCell analyses revealed significant variability in the immune cell composition between HCC stages. Notable differences were observed in the T cells (CD4 and CD8 subsets), B cells, plasma cells, and stromal components. ANOVA and post hoc tests identified significant stage-specific differences in several immune cell types. For the survival analysis, we categorized patients into low and high groups based on median cell abundances. Overall survival showed no statistically significant differences among the various groups for common myeloid and lymphoid progenitor cells. In contrast, disease-free survival demonstrated statistically significant differences across the groups for both cell types. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the tumor microenvironment's pivotal role in HCC, revealing that immune cell composition significantly influences disease-free survival, despite limited effects on overall survival. These findings advocate for further exploration into targeted immunotherapies and the development of predictive models that integrate immune landscape characteristics, ultimately aiming to enhance patient outcomes in HCC. Cell type xCell Cibersort Mean SD Mean SD T cell CD4 naive 0.00466 0.01994 1.31e-5 1.69e-4 T cell CD8 0.01368 0.03253 0.03161 0.04947 Eosinophil 3.96e-5 3.41e-4 1.67e-4 8.69e-4 Macrophage 0.02323 0.02441 0.02924 0.04345 Macrophage.M1 0.00914 0.01526 0.01806 0.02054 Macrophage.M2 0.02303 0.01697 0.05439 0.04815 B cell memory 0.00196 0.01418 0.00107 0.00733 B cell naive 0.00163 0.01034 0.01319 0.02148 Neutrophil 2.14e-4 0.00137 0.00112 0.00539 Immune score 0.04621 0.06817 - - Table presents various cell type abundances for each algorithm used.

Impact of farmland landscape characteristics on gully erosion in the black soil region of Northeast China

Gully erosion on agricultural land severely damages land resources and affects agricultural production. Topographic features, tillage methods, and roads are major elements constituting the farmland landscape, but the effect of their distribution in the farmland on the gully erosion is still unclear. This study examined the long-term impacts of changes in the farmland environment and climate change on gully erosion over a long temporal scale of nearly 60 years, the results showed that farmland reclamation over the past 60 years had led to a 2324.2 % increase in gully length density and a 3563.3 % increase in gully area density. The increase in annual rainfall amount and the frequency of extreme rainstorms had led to a rapid increase of gully erosion intensity in the last decade, with an average development rate in length density and area density of 61.5 m/km−2(−|−) and 778.7 m2/km−2(−|−), respectively. Farmlands with slope aspects between 135 and 270° were more prone to gully erosion, which was related to the redistribution of snow on hillslopes caused by prevailing wind directions. Tillage methods and roads simultaneously affect gully erosion, with newly formed gullies located in farmlands and roadsides accounting for 63.0 % and 29.8 %. Gullies in regions where the angle between furrows and unpaved roads exceeded 70° accounted for 61.1 % of the total roadside gullies. Over the last decade, the annual average increase of gully length and area was 9.8 m/yr and 246.1 m2/yr. The development rate of gully area was significantly correlated with the drainage area.

Geological and 3D Image Analysis toward Protecting a Geosite: The Case Study of Falakra, Limnos, Greece

The Falakra geosite is located at the northern shoreline of the island of Limnos, Greece, and exhibits an array of unusual geomorphological features developed in late Cenozoic sandstones. Deposition of the primary clastic sediments was overprinted by later, low-temperature hydrothermal fluid flow and interstitial secondary calcite formation associated with nearby volcanic activity. Associated sandstone cannonballs take center stage in a landscape built by joints, Liesengang rings and iron (hydr)oxide precipitates, constituting an intriguing site of high aesthetic value. The Falakra geosite is situated in an area with dynamic erosion processes occurring under humid weather conditions. These have evidently sculpted and shaped the sandstone landscape through a complex interaction of wave- and wind-induced erosional processes aided by salt spray wetting. This type of geosite captivates scientists and nature enthusiasts due to its unique geological and landscape features, making its sustainable conservation a significant concern and topic of debate. Here, we provide detailed geological and remote sensing mapping of the area to improve the understanding of geological processes and their overall impact. Given the significance of the Falakra geosite as a unique tourist destination, we emphasize the importance of developing it under sustainable management. We propose the segmentation of the geosite into four sectors based on the corresponding geological features observed on site. Sector A, located to the west, is occupied by a lander-like landscape; to the southeast, sector B contains clusters of cannonballs and concretions; sector C is characterized by intense jointing and complex iron (hydr)oxide precipitation patterns, dominated by Liesengang rings, while sector D displays cannonball or concretion casts. Finally, we propose a network of routes and platforms to highlight the geological heritage of the site while reducing the impact of direct human interaction with the outcrops. For constructing the routes and platforms, we propose the use of serrated steel grating.

Landscape Design Proposal in Public Spaces: A Case of Düzce Uzun Mustafa Neighborhood

Public spaces are considered a critical process that determines the initial spatial perception of an individual in their environment and shapes their experiences and memories. These spaces include public buildings, open areas, and locations that are in constant interaction with the surroundings. The analysis of the landscape features of the physical environment aims to create an interaction between different uses in urban landscape design and to transform a busy street into a livable area. The surroundings of public buildings such as the Düzce Governorship Meteorology Directorate, Düzce Vocational School, and library in the Uzun Mustafa neighborhood of Düzce have passive urban open and green areas. In this study, the mentioned areas were evaluated, the landscape features of the physical environment were analyzed, and revision proposals related to urban landscape design were made. By utilizing the satellite image and zoning plan of the study area, it was aimed to eliminate elements that cause confusion in human psychology according to urban and landscape features. In the method of the study, internal and external factors were considered based on the project design processes of the area, and a SWOT analysis was conducted to minimize the impact of weaknesses and elements that pose threats in the area. As a result, this study aimed to create a more livable space that meets the needs of users in areas with passive, unused or undesigned surroundings of public buildings and to contribute more effectively to the daily life of the community in spaces with different functions.