Edible Landscape Research Articles

Food as a public service for people and pollinators: evidence-based insights from regenerative placemaking in New Zealand—the Waharoa living lab

ABSTRACT This action research project transformed a former bowling green into a public, inclusive, edible landscape in Waharoa, Aotearoa-New Zealand, where everyone is welcome to help themselves to fruits and vegetables free of charge and without being asked to work on the land. This 400 m2 Living Lab (LL) differs from community gardens, which are increasingly seen as privatising public land. The LL involved multi-stakeholder cooperation (government, community, and academia) and produced benefits that research participants perceived as transition pathways to more nutritious dietary choices, health education, and reduced criminality in a socially deprived region. The analyses of interviews, observations, and pollinator surveys conducted at the Waharoa LL (which confirmed that 14 visiting species were drawn by the LL) were coupled with insights from prior scholarship to put forward an approach to regenerative placemaking that articulates human and non-human perspectives and serves a planetary purpose combining human health and biodiversity benefits.

Opportunity in lost spaces: Exploring the potential of edible landscapes in viaduct underpasses

This paper introduces the concept of edible landscapes to underutilized spaces in viaduct underpasses to explore their untapped potential. Using a case study approach that involves on-site observations, questionnaires, and photographic documentation, this study will document the characteristics of 29 space nodes beneath 18 viaducts and along their routes in Guangzhou’s Tianhe District. It analyzes user behavior and aspirations to activate the underutilized spaces of the viaduct underpass, optimizing their residual space, and enhancing their interactive potential. Furthermore, the paper proposes targeted design strategies for the rejuvenation and sustainable management of these underappreciated urban lost spaces. This study has two primary contributions. Firstly, it enhances the conceptual understanding of the lost spaces located in the viaduct underpass. Secondly, it investigates potential approaches and the benefits of utilizing these spaces for edible landscape development within the urban environment of Tianhe district in Guangzhou city.

Edible landscapes in Persian gardens: a historical perspective from ancient Iran to the present day

ABSTRACT Persian gardens have a rich cultural and historical significance as a part of human heritage. This paper provides a historical review of the edibility of Persian gardens, from ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. The analysis demonstrates that while fruit trees have always been a part of these gardens, the cultivation of edible species has been neglected in modern times. The study highlights the importance of restoring the edible landscape in Persian gardens, in line with the historical and cultural significance of these landscapes. The findings have implications for the management and restoration of Persian gardens, with the potential for wider application in other cultural contexts. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on landscape history and its interdisciplinary study.

The Impact and Future of Edible Landscape on Sustainable Development of Universities: A Systematic Literature Review

The Impact and Future of Edible Landscape on Sustainable Development of Universities: A Systematic Literature Review

Accessibility, visibility and connectivity between urbanites and edible landscape in the Persian gardens

Accessibility, visibility and connectivity between urbanites and edible landscape in the Persian gardens

Promoting the Development of Edible Landscapes in Suburban Areas with Place Branding—A Case Study in Taiwan

The process of urbanization has brought about a series of negative effects and prompting researchers to critically reflect on the pros and cons of urbanization. In particular, the rapid development of urbanization has posed serious challenges in terms of food and environmental issues. Edible landscapes have been proposed as a means to offset some of the negative impacts, but many of the challenges faced by edible landscapes in the development process have hindered their development. Therefore, how to promote the further development of edible landscapes in cities has become the focus of current research. This paper takes the edible landscape in the San-He community of the Long tan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan as a case study and uses in-depth interviews and non-participant observation to investigate the strategies of using local brands to solve the challenges of edible landscape development. The study found that the development of edible landscapes in urban communities can bring many social, economic, and cultural benefits to the communities, but the development of edible landscapes also faces challenges such as marketing, government policies, and growing techniques, which can be effectively addressed by place branding strategies. The results of this study can be used as a guide for the development of edible landscapes by local governments, communities, participants in edible landscapes, or similar cultural countries.

Edible landscape: Key factors determining consumers’ commitment and willingness to accept opportunity cost and risk of foraged food

IntroductionThis study is dedicated to urban foraging and explores key factors that determine consumer willingness to try foraged food, willingness to spend time and effort, accept risk as well as make a commitment towards food foraging.MethodsA conceptual model is presented where general perceptions of nature, food foraging, and Covid-19 influence 3 specific attitudes about food foraging which drive 4 behavioural intentions towards food foraging. The model was tested using partial least square structural equation modelling.ResultsResults emphasize that the strongest driver of willingness to try are the approval of responsible food foraging activities and the individual benefits of food foraging. For the willingness to spend extra time and effort, all the predictors have some impact. In terms of willingness to accept risk, approval of responsible food foraging activities and the societal benefits of food foraging are influential. For commitment to food foraging, the individual and societal benefits are the most important key drivers.DiscussionThese findings are of relevance to marketing managers in the food industry and gastronomy, as well as municipalities, landscape designers, and horticultural businesses.

Reclaimed Water in Your Florida-Friendly Edible Landscape

Reclaimed water plays a significant role in water conservation, a goal of every Florida-Friendly Landscape. However, using reclaimed water on plants harvested and consumed from the home landscape must be approached with caution for vegetables, fruit trees, herbs, and other edible crops due to the risk of contamination from pathogens and salts. Before using reclaimed water in your Florida-Friendly edible garden, it is important to have a clear understanding of what it is and how it can be safely used. The target audience for this new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is Florida residents who irrigate landscapes, including edibles, with reclaimed water. Written by Terra Freeman, Tiare Silvasy, Yilin Zhuang, and Esen Momol.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep628

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Approach to Pest Management in Your Edible Landscape

This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department defines different types of pests that a home gardener might encounter and encourages diversifying landscapes as a solution to pest problems. It focuses on what is called “the triangle” of IPM, a guide to managing pests using multiple methods, and provides examples of Integrated Pest Management tools that can be applied in the home context to address these pests. Several links to resources relevant to edible Florida-Friendly landscapes are included. Written by Tina McIntyre, Rachel Gutner, Hamutahl Cohen, Tiare Silvasy, and Esen Momol.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep629

Rethinking Wildlife in Your Florida-Friendly Edible Landscape

Considering wildlife in your edible landscape can be a complex challenge. Although wild animals can cause crop damage, this may not be a conflict that has to be addressed. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department provides a useful decision tree that helps users make choices regarding the species in their managed area. Our goal is to help the gardener become more accepting of wildlife among edible crops and coexist in a shared environment. Written by Tina McIntyre, Hamutahl Cohen, Rachel Gutner, Tiare Silvasy, and Esen Momol.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep630

云南大学可食性景观体验与情感认同研究

云南大学可食性景观体验与情感认同研究

The game of models: Dietary reconstruction in human evolution

Despite substantial additions to the paleontological record and unanticipated improvements in analytical techniques since the Journal of Human Evolution was first published, consensus on the diet of early hominin species remains elusive. For instance, the notable advances in the analyses of hominin dental microwear and stable isotopes have provided a plethora of data that have in some instances clouded what was once ostensibly a clear picture of dietary differentiation between and within hominin taxa. In the present study, we explore the reasons why the retrodiction of diet in human evolution has proven vexing over the last half century from the perspective of both ecological and functional-mechanical models. Such models continue to be indispensable for paleobiological reconstructions, but they often contain rigid or unstated assumptions about how primary paleontological data, such as fossils and their geological and taphonomic contexts, allow unambiguous insight into the evolutionary processes that produced them. In theoretical discussions of paleobiology, it has long been recognized that a mapping function of morphology to adaptation is not one-to-one, in the sense that a particular trait cannot necessarily be attributed to a specific selective pressure and/or behavior. This article explores how the intrinsic variability within biological systems has often been underappreciated in paleoanthropological research. For instance, to claim that derived anatomical traits represent adaptations related to stereotypical behaviors largely ignores the importance of biological roles (i.e., how anatomical traits function in the environment), a concept that depends on behavioral flexibility for its potency. Similarly, in the paleoecological context, the underrepresentation of variability within the ‘edible landscapes’ our hominin ancestors occupied has inhibited an adequate appreciation of early hominin dietary flexibility. Incorporating the reality of variation at organismal and ecological scales makes the practice of paleobiological reconstruction more challenging, but in return, allows for a better appreciation of the evolutionary possibilities that were open to early hominins.

The value of edible community gardens for the elderly in the specific environment condition, during the epidemic: using a case of Nanjing, in China

An ever-increasing number of individuals are attempting to fabricate edible community gardens because of Corona Virus Disease 2019 and the Chinese government’s control of the regions where the epidemic happened, the restricted access to daily demand of food, and the unfamiliarity of the elderly with web-based shopping technology. Therefore, this research selects three representative communities in Nanjing as case studies by adopting a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. More specifically, GIS, mapping to construct a map of the food system in Nanjing. In addition, direct site observations, questionnaires, and interviews have also been conducted in the research. Moreover, the research adopts univariate and multivariate approaches to analyze the data to find out that most elderly demand and value edible community gardens, especially during the epidemic. Also, community gardens could provide opportunities to make new companions and enjoy leisure moments, so, an edible landscape enhances the ornamental value and interactivity of the communities. The edible community gardens are beneficial for sustainable food production from the perspective of future development of the community, including ecological environment, economic benefits, social regeneration, and local development.

Mulching Herbs, Vegetables and Fruit Trees in The Florida-Friendly Edible Landscape

Mulching is the practice of spreading material around the base of a plant to protect the plant, conserving moisture or suppressing weeds. This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department serves as a guide for homeowners and professionals to reference best practices on mulching and discusses mulch sources, application techniques, and management practices. It will clarify the mulch needs of fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, and vegetables to promote plant health. Written by Tina McIntyre, Rachel Gutner, Tiare Silvasy, Jacqlyn Rivas, and Esen Momol.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep625

Desain Edible Landscape, Bentuk Pertanian Kota Yang Meningkatkan Estetika Dan Ketahanan Pangan

Edible landscape is one of the multifunctional approaches in landscape planning specifically urban agricultural landscape planningbecause it can increase the beauty of the area and at the same time strengthen local food security, as well as other ecological, social and economic functions. Various choices of edible landscape designs are needed that take into account space limitations to support effective and efficient land use. The purpose of this paper is to provide several choices of edible landscape designs, especially for urban areas in improving aesthetics and food production. The research was carried out from mid-July to the end of August 2022. The data collection method used the documentation method through the collection of literature studies related to the edible landscape. The design method (design creation) is carried out through the stages of preparation, inventory, analysis, synthesis, concept generation, planning, and design (Saroinsong, 2022). Several designs were made to be an option or reference for the idea of developing an edible landscape in urban areas. To increase community support and involvement, the design took into account the limitations of land, the principle of multifunctionality, ease of cultivation and harvesting, and emphasized that the selection of edible plants is related to the daily lives of local people. The conclusion of this research is that the edible landscape design applies the concept of multifunctional land and approaches to community involvement and empowerment.

Analysis of the Emotional Identification Mechanism of Campus Edible Landscape from the Perspective of Emotional Geography: An Empirical Study of a Chinese University Town.

Against the background of “the emotional turn” in geography, the study of emotional identification is attracting increasing attention among researchers. Edible landscape resources can satisfy the emotional needs of teachers and students by enabling them to experience pastoral landscapes that carry cultural and landscape values to campus environments. Based on a questionnaire survey of 419 students and teachers at Chenggong University Town in China, this study improved the structural equation modeling (SEM) method to construct a model to analyze the emotional identification mechanism of the campus edible landscape. The research found that emotional identification played an intermediary role between perception and behavioral intention, manifested as an association mechanism in which surface values influence perception, perception influences emotional identification, and emotional identification influences behavioral intention. The emotional identification model revealed the relationship between teachers and students’ emotional identification and the value of campus edible landscape resources for the first time. It also uncovered the universality of the association mechanism in the research of emotional geography.

Pruning, Harvesting and Maintenance of Florida-Friendly Edible Landscapes

Maintaining an edible landscape using the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles provides a practical approach to food production in the home environment. Integrating pest management strategies, addressing nutrient deficiencies, proper pruning techniques, timely harvesting, and mulching are all practices that contribute to having a healthy edible landscape. The audience for this new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is Floridian homeowners attempting to grow edibles, such as vegetables, fruits and herbs. Written by Rachel Gutner, Tina McIntyre, Tiare Silvasy, Hamutahl Cohen, and Esen Momol.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep622

Soil Health and Fertility of Florida-Friendly Edible Landscapes

Maintaining an edible landscape using the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles provides a practical approach to food production for homeowners and landscaping consultants. Integrating practical pest management strategies, addressing nutrient deficiencies, proper pruning techniques, timely harvesting, and mulching are all practices that contribute to a healthy landscape. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department provides homeowners with key Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ concepts and tips to enhance the health and fertility of soils while protecting the environment. Healthy soils result in improved production yields, beautiful landscapes, and a more resilient environment. Written by Tina McIntyre, Rachel Gutner, Tiare Silvasy, and Esen Momol.htps://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep624

Applicational study on the edible university landscape under COVID-19 epidemic circumstance

All of universities or colleges have to solve the big challenges from the outbreak of COVID-19. Quarantining of Campus has been being the regular management policy, the activities of all students were restricted inside the campus. Under such status, campus landscape quality. In this study, the concept of Edible Landscape has been introduced into the campus planning and designing. The construction principles of healing, practicality, ecology, economy and adaptation to local conditions were illustrated, in the light of COVID-19 controlling and prevention. Furthermore, a construction strategy of edible landscape in assisting related teaching and researching activities, taking away negative emotions, and producing fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables, which can offset the shortcoming of traditional landscape of ornamental-value-centered. The construction principles and strategies of this paper put forward novel thinking and references to carry out the construction and development of campus landscape with ecology, healthy and effective traits, to the application of edible and pluralistic school landscape.

The urban food forest: Creating a public edible landscape

The urban food forest: Creating a public edible landscape