Gardens In China Research Articles

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-Related Behaviours in Community Gardens in China: An Evaluation of a Natural Experiment

There is little robust quantitative evidence on how community gardens impact on physical activity and other health-related behaviours. This natural experiment study aimed to examine the effects of a community garden within a Chinese neighbourhood on health-related behaviours during the COVID-19 epidemic. The study design was a repeat cross-sectional pre–post study, assessing differences between the non-epidemic period and epidemic period. Camera-based systematic observations were conducted at two locations within a community garden. A total of 180 h of video recordings were collected and coded by two researchers during a “non-epidemic” period when there were no COVID-19 restrictions (120 h) and the “epidemic” when COVID-19 restrictions were implemented (60 h). Observations of these video recordings assessed the total number of users, physical activities (Sedentary, Walking, Vigorous), social interactions (Connect), and people taking notice of the environment (Take Notice), followed by a breakdown of observed gender and age group. Data were analysed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, comparing outcomes during the epidemic period and non-epidemic period. Results showed a significant increase in total number of users during the epidemic, particularly in females, older adults and children. Sedentary and moderate physical activities were significantly higher during the epidemic period. The increase in the total number of users of the community garden during the 2022 epidemic outbreak in Suzhou shows the importance of community gardens as a primary space for outdoor activities. This robust natural experiment study demonstrated that the community garden contributed more to physical activity, such as walking, but less to interactions between people (connecting) or people–place interactions (taking notice of the environment). More natural experiment research on community gardens like this is needed to better understand how the health and well-being benefits of community gardens can be maximized.

Colletotrichum cliviicola as a new causal agent causing leaf spot disease on Tilia tomentosa moench (silver linden) in China

Tilia tomentosa Moench (silver linden) is a globally preferred option for landscaping and street tree planting. Its intentional introduction to China in recent years has led to widespread cultivation. In 2021, a leaf spot disease significantly impacted silver linden trees in a sentinel garden in China, with an average incidence and disease severity of 94.3% and 5.0, respectively, adversely affecting the trees' growth and development. In this investigation, potential fungal pathogens were isolated from the affected leaves, and Koch's postulate was subsequently employed to validate the pathogenicity of the fungal isolates (TM-1 and TM-2). The pathogen was unequivocally identified as Colletotrichum cliviicola through a combination of morphological observation and a multi-locus analysis (ITS, ACT, ApMat, CAL, CHS-1, GAPDH, and TUB2). This marks the first record of C. cliviicola affecting silver linden in China. The information provided a valuable foundation for the rapid detection and effective prevention and control of the diseases affecting linden trees.

Healing Gardens from the Perspective of Oriental Gardens Therapeutic Landscapes

Healing gardens, originating from developed Western countries such as the United States, play a crucial role in enhancing both physiological and psychological well-being, as well as rehabilitation. Classical Chinese gardens inherently embody profound elements conducive to health, yet unlike Western Healing gardens, they have not formed a scientific research system. This paper delves into the literature and imagery to comprehensively understand the therapeutic concepts embedded in traditional Chinese gardens. Building upon the existing Western frameworks and the foundation of Chinese culture, it constructs a relatively comprehensive perspective of Healing gardens from the standpoint of Oriental gardens. Furthermore, the paper summarizes and anticipates the research on Healing gardens in China within this context.

Spatiotemporal Distribution Analysis of Spatial Vitality of Specialized Garden Plant Landscapes during Spring: A Case Study of Hangzhou Botanical Garden in China

Specialized gardens, as integral components of botanical gardens, bear multiple functions, encompassing plant collection and conservation, scientific research, and public education, as well as serving aesthetic and recreational purposes. Their quality profoundly reflects the landscape artistry of botanical gardens, directly influencing the quality of visitors’ enjoyment and the overall experience within the botanical garden. This study aims to investigate the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes, effectively assessing the usage patterns of plant landscape spaces and promoting the optimal utilization of underutilized spaces. Taking Hangzhou Botanical Garden as a case study, considering the warming climate and suitable temperatures in spring, when most plants enter the flowering period and outdoor visitor frequency increases, the primary observational period focuses on spring to measure the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes. We obtained data through field measurements and on-site observations. Specifically, We measured and recorded information on plant species, quantity, height, crown width, and growth conditions within the plots. Additionally, we employed ground observations and fixed-point photography to document visitor numbers and activity types. We quantified spatial vitality through four indicators: visitor density, space usage intensity, diversity of age group, and richness of activity type. We explored the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of spatial vitality and investigated the relationship between plant landscape characteristics and spatial vitality using variance analysis and correlation analysis. The results indicate that, in spring, the average spatial vitality index of specialized gardens ranks from highest to lowest as follows: Lingfeng Tanmei (1.403), Rosaceae Garden (1.245), Acer and Rhododendron Garden (0.449), and Osmanthus and Crape Myrtle Garden (0.437). Additionally, the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes in spring is significantly positively correlated with the ornamental period of specialized plants, characteristics of plant viewing, accessible lawn area, spatial accessibility, and spatial enclosure. Therefore, to create vibrant specialized plant landscapes, managers and planners, when engaging in the planning and design of specialized garden plant landscapes, need to fully consider and respect the visual aesthetics and functional needs of visitors. This study will serve as a theoretical reference for subsequent research on the vitality of plant landscape spaces and other small-scale spaces. It will also provide practical guidance for the construction of plant landscapes in specialized gardens within botanical gardens and other urban green spaces.

Investigation on the Application of Spring Plants and Landscape Evaluation in Changsha Area

With the slogan of "Beautiful China" put forward by the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, more and more people now choose to take wedding photos outdoors, hold weddings outdoors, and celebrate wedding anniversaries outdoors. In addition to having good quality photos, taking wedding photos outdoors requires In addition to the framing building, the plant landscape created by plants that matches the atmosphere of the wedding garden is also indispensable. However, most wedding gardens in China almost rely on architecture to create a theme atmosphere, while ignoring the role of the landscape created by plants in the theme of the entire wedding garden. This article takes Liuyang River Wedding Cultural Park in Changsha City as an example, analyzes the types and ecological characteristics of garden plants in Liuyang River Wedding Garden, and summarizes the experience in the growth, management and garden application of various garden plants. Then, on this basis, we analyze and summarize the existing problems in the application of garden plants in Liuyang River Wedding Cultural Garden, and point out corresponding measures and approaches to provide guidance for similar types of landscaping.

Novel Pathogen–Plant Host Interaction: Colletotrichum jiangxiense and Fraxinus americana L. (White Ash) in a Sentinel Garden in China

Fraxinus americana L. (white ash), a native North American tree commonly cultivated for its ornamental qualities, displayed symptoms of leaf spot disease in a sentinel garden located in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, in 2022. This disease led to premature leaf shedding, adversely affecting the plant’s growth and substantially diminishing its ornamental value. Potential fungal pathogens were isolated from the diseased leaves and the subsequent application of Koch’s postulates confirmed the pathogenicity of the fungal isolates (BL-1, BL-2). Through a combination of multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, including ITS, ACT, ApMat, CAL, CHS-1, GAPDH, and TUB2, alongside morphological assessments, the fungus was conclusively identified as Colletotrichum jiangxiense. This represents the first record of C. jiangxiense affecting white ash, highlighting the important role of sentinel gardens in uncovering novel pathogen–plant host interactions.

Bamboo in the gardens of China

It seems inconceivable for a garden in China (or a Chinese garden elsewhere) not to feature bamboo, serving a variety of aesthetic, practical, and metaphoric purposes. This paper offers both a translation of a set of some of the most famous celebrations of the bamboo, in prose and poetry, from the Book of Odes (Shijing 詩經) down to the late imperial period, and a discussion of the role of this particular plant in the design and life of the Chinese garden and the levels of symbolic meaning it brings to these gardens.

Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Tea Polysaccharides Extracted from Different Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Varieties.

Tea polysaccharide (TPS) is a bioactive compound extracted from tea. It has raised great interest among researchers due to its bioactivity. However, few studies focused on the diversity of TPS in its compositions and antioxidant activity. This study collected 140 different tea varieties from four tea germplasm gardens in China, and their TPSs in tea shoots were extracted. The extraction efficiency, composition contents, including neutral sugar, uronic acid, protein, and tea polyphenols, and the scavenging abilities of hydroxyl radical (·OH) and superoxide radical (O2-·) of 140 TPSs were determined and analyzed. The results showed significant differences in the compositions and antioxidant activities of TPS extracted from different tea varieties. By applying hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), we selected nine tea varieties with high TPS extraction efficiency and 26 kinds of TPS with high antioxidant capacity.

Core Microbiome and Microbial Community Structure in Coralloid Roots of Cycas in Ex Situ Collection of Kunming Botanical Garden in China.

Endophytes are essential in plant succession and evolution, and essential for stress resistance. Coralloid root is a unique root structure found in cycads that has played a role in resisting adverse environments, yet the core taxa and microbial community of different Cycas species have not been thoroughly investigated. Using amplicon sequencing, we successfully elucidated the microbiomes present in coralloid roots of 10 Cycas species, representing all four sections of Cycas in China. We found that the endophytic bacteria in coralloid roots, i.e., Cyanobacteria, were mainly composed of Desmonostoc_PCC-7422, Nostoc_PCC-73102 and unclassified_f__Nostocaceae. Additionally, the Ascomycota fungi of Exophiala, Paraboeremia, Leptobacillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, and Diaporthe were identified as the core fungi taxa. The Ascomycota fungi of Nectriaceae, Herpotrichiellaceae, Cordycipitaceae, Helotiaceae, Diaporthaceae, Didymellaceae, Clavicipitaceae and Pleosporaceae were identified as the core family taxa in coralloid roots of four sections. High abundance but low diversity of bacterial community was detected in the coralloid roots, but no significant difference among species. The fungal community exhibited much higher complexity compared to bacteria, and diversity was noted among different species or sections. These core taxa, which were a subset of the microbiome that frequently occurred in all, or most, individuals of Cycas species, represent targets for the development of Cycas conservation.

Exploration of Damage Identification Method for a Large-Span Timber Lattice Shell Structure in Taiyuan Botanical Garden based on Structural Health Monitoring.

Large-span spatial lattice structures generally have characteristics such as incomplete modal information, high modal density, and high degrees of freedom. To address the problem of misjudgment in the damage detection of large-span spatial structures caused by these characteristics, this paper proposed a damage identification method based on time series models. Firstly, the order of the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model was selected based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Then, the long autoregressive method was used to estimate the parameters of the ARMA model and extract the residual sequence of the autocorrelation part of the model. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) was introduced to reduce the dimensionality of the model while retaining the characteristic values. Finally, the Mahalanobis distance (MD) was used to construct the damage sensitive feature (DSF). The dome of Taiyuan Botanical Garden in China is one of the largest non-triangular timber lattice shells worldwide. Relying on the structural health monitoring (SHM) project of this structure, this paper verified the effectiveness of the damage identification model through numerical simulation and determined the damage degree of the dome structure through SHM measurement data. The results demonstrated that the proposed damage identification method can effectively identify the damage of large-span timber lattice structures, locate the damage position, and estimate the degree of damage. The constructed DSF had relatively strong robustness to small damage and environmental noise and has practical application value for SHM in engineering.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANTS ON RUNOFF REDUCTION AND SUSPENDED SOLIDS REMOVAL IN RAIN GARDENS

This research conducted a series of experiments, determined that 40% is the optimal sand-soil ratio, built three rain gardens, and planted Ilex chinensis Sims and Cynodon dactylon as a key element in the rain gardens. Among them, rain garden A was planted with only Cynodon dactylon for a one-year observation period. Rain gardens B and C, designed as three-year rain gardens, were planted with Ilex chinensis Sims or Cynodon dactylon, respectively. The method of simulating rainwater runoff was used to monitor the rain gardens continuously. The results showed that the total runoff reduction rates of rain gardens A, B, and C were 43%, 53%, and 55%, respectively. The average removal rates of pollutant suspended solids in rain gardens A, B, and C were 94%, 88%, and 87%, respectively, and the suspended solids pollution load reduction rate reached 96%, 94%, and 95%, respectively. This would be significant for future work and as a reference for the selection of plants for rain gardens in China.

Bacterial and fungal diversities examined through high-throughput sequencing in response to lead contamination of tea garden soil.

Several studies have indicated that the heavy-metal content in tea is increasing gradually. Researchers examining the soil of more than 100 tea gardens in China have observed that lead content was higher in some soils. The effect of lead contamination on soil microorganisms in tea gardens was studied to determine the effect of lead on the essential functions of microorganisms in a tea garden soil ecosystem. Previous studies on pot experiments adopted the method of adding a single instance of pollution, which failed to comprehensively simulate the characteristics of the slow accumulation of heavy metals in soil. This study designed with two pollution modes (multistage and single instance) determined the content of soil lead in different forms according to the European Community Bureau of Reference extraction procedure. The community structure, species diversity and functional abundance of soil bacteria and fungi were examined by high-throughput sequencing. We observed that the content of four forms of lead was higher in the multistage contamination mode than in the single instance contamination mode. The effects of lead contamination on bacteria differed significantly (p < 0.05), and the abundance and diversity of bacteria were higher in the multistage contamination mode than in the single instance contamination mode. The community structure of fungi was more affected by lead than was that of bacteria. The content of each lead form was the environmental factor most strongly affecting soil bacteria and fungi. The predicted main function of the bacterial community was amino acid transport and metabolism, and the trophic mode of the fungal community was mainly pathotroph-saprotroph. This study revealed changes in soil microorganisms caused by different forms of lead and contamination methods in tea garden soil and provide a theoretical basis for examining the effects of lead contamination on soil microorganisms.

Research on Changsha Gardens in Ming Dynasty, China

Despite the growing interest in Chinese gardens, there is a lack of research on Changsha Gardens. Through document retrieval, review, and map analysis, we reconstructed the Changsha Gardens during the Ming Dynasty. Our findings reveal that gardening flourished in Changsha during this period. The royal gardens, dominated by literati aesthetics, set the trend for development, while the landscaping techniques were influenced by Jiangnan Gardens. Private gardens placed more emphasis on artistic mood and cultural implications. Landscape architects incorporated towers, terraces, and suburban mountain gardening to borrow scenery. The use of spring water to create landscapes and the rectangular shapes of the water bodies reflected Neo-Confucianism and practical functions. Planting design focused on meaning over form, with landscapes used to commemorate sages and promote the farming and reading culture and other Confucian values. However, it relied too much on borrowing natural scenery and the pragmatism of the Hunan culture, which might have affected the progress of landscaping techniques and the development of Changsha Gardens. Changsha Gardens were not as skilled as Jiangnan Gardens, and the style was not as prominent as other regional schools of gardens. This might be the reason why Changsha Gardens have not become one of the regional schools of gardens in China.

First report of Podosphaera fusca Causing Powdery Mildew on Coreopsis lanceolata in China.

Coreopsis lanceolata, known as lance-leaf coreopsis, is a perennial plant with high ornamental value. It is widely grown in many public parks and home gardens in China due to its showy flowers. From May to June 2020, typical powdery mildew-signs and symptoms were seen on leaves of C. lanceolata cultivated in the east campus of Henan Normal University, Henan Province, China. Abundant white powder-like masses in spot- or coalesced-lesions were on ad- and abaxial surfaces of plant leaves and covered up to 50 % of the leaf area. The infected leaves were deformed and eventually prematurely senescent. Approximately 80 % of observed C. lanceolata plants showed these signs and symptoms. Unbranched conidiophores (n = 25) were 90 to 200 × 12 to 20 μm and showed a foot cell, followed by 1 to 3 short cells and conidia. Ellipsoid-ovoid shaped conidia (n = 30) were 22 to 36 × 15 to 23 μm, with a length/width ratio of 1.4 to 2.4. No chasmothecia were detected. The powdery mildew fungus was initially identified as Podosphaera fusca based on the morphological characteristics. Total genomic DNA of the pathogen was extracted and the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified and sequenced using the primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990; Zhu et al. 2019). The obtained sequence was deposited into GenBank under Accession No. MT899186 and was 100 % identical to P. fusca (JX546297) from Herba eupatorii (Ding et al. 2013). To perform pathogenicity assays, leaf surface of three healthy plants was inoculated with fungal conidia according to a previously described method (Zhu et al. 2021). As a control, three non-inoculated plants were used. The control and inoculated plants were placed separately in two growth chambers (light/dark, 16 h/8 h; humidity, 65 %; temperature, 20 ℃). Fourteen- to sixteen-days post inoculation, powdery mildew signs were noticed on inoculated plants, whereas control remained asymptomatic. Similar results were found by performing two repeated pathogenicity assays. Therefore, based on the morphological and molecular analysis, the pathogen was identified and confirmed as P. fusca. This fungus has been reported on C. lanceolata in Korea (Park et al. 2010) and Italy (Garibaldi et al. 2007). This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of P. fusca on C. lanceolata in China. The sudden occurrence of this powdery mildew disease on C. lanceolata may adversely affect the health of valuable ornamentals in China. The precise identification of the causal agent of this powdery mildew of C. lanceolata is a preliminary step in developing effective disease management strategies.

Plant-Associated Novel Didymellaceous Taxa in the South China Botanical Garden (Guangzhou, China)

The South China Botanical Garden (SCBG), one of the largest and oldest botanical gardens in China, conserves important plant germplasms of endangered species. Therefore, ensuring tree health and studying the associated mycobiome of the phyllosphere is essential to maintaining its visual aesthetics. During a survey of plant-associated microfungal species in SCBG, we collected several coelomycetous taxa. Phylogenetic relationships were evaluated based on the analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2, and β-tubulin loci. The morphological features of the new collections were compared with those of existing species, emphasizing close phylogenetic affinities. Based on the morphological comparisons and multi-locus phylogeny, we introduce three new species. These are Ectophoma phoenicis sp. nov., Remotididymella fici-microcarpae sp. nov., and Stagonosporopsis pedicularis-striatae sp. nov. In addition, we describe a new host record for Allophoma tropica in the Didymellaceae. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided along with notes comparing allied species.

Digital characterization of the surface texture of chinese classical garden rockery based on point cloud visualization: small-rock mountain retreat

The Rockery is often a key element of a Classical Chinese Garden. It’s exquisite detailed physical characteristics a major contributor to artistic value, aesthetic appeal, and the carrier of historical and cultural heritage values. Poets and scholars have often described the beauty of these places in classical gardens in qualitative terms but lacked the quantitative tools to provide replicable metric descriptions. The highly complex forms and surfaces, irregularity, and fragility of garden rockeries has challenged authors to accurately describe the characteristics of these qualities using traditional methods and tools. This article presents a new method of digital characterization approach based on laser scanning and point cloud visualization, which can quantitatively detect and represent the pattern of rockery surface textures. It offers a replicable accurate quantitative descriptor of the Classical Chinese rockery. The Small-Rock Mountain Retreat, a nationally protected rockery garden in China, has been used as a case study. It contains original historic elements and more recently restored areas. Two characteristics of rockery surfaces, including the well-proportioned density and space, and the proper contrast between solid and void, were analyzed by examining four attributes: (1) surface complexity; (2) contour curvature; (3) shape variation; and (4) the interweaving of lightness and darkness. The findings demonstrate that, despite some similarities between the restored portion of the rockery and the historical remnants, there are variances in the richness of the details and the balanced distribution of shape change. The digital characterization approach introduced in this article offers a new perspective for recording and in turn safeguarding Chinese garden rockeries and other irregular cultural heritage objects.

Digital Preservation of Du Fu Thatched Cottage Memorial Garden

The Xishu Historical and Cultural Celebrity Memorial Gardens are representatives of southwestern regional gardens in China. Du Fu Thatched Cottage is one of the typical examples of these gardens, with exceptional memorial, historical, and cultural significance. However, compared to other gardens in China, few research has been conducted on their digital preservation and construction connotation. In this study, the digital model of Du Fu Thatched Cottage was obtained by terrestrial laser scanning and total station technology, and its memorial analysis and preservation were studied digitally. Using three levels of point, line, and surface analysis, we examined how to digitally deconstruct the commemorative elements of Du Fu Thatched Cottage that included the memorial theme, gardening components, and design philosophy of the garden space. The study revealed the memorial space core of the Historical and Cultural Celebrity Memorial Gardens in Xishu and proposed a strategy for building a digital preservation system. The research will help to digitally protect the Du Fu Thatched Cottage and analyze methods to memorialize other traditional gardens.

Community Gardens in China: Spatial distribution, patterns, perceived benefits and barriers

Community garden is an important mean of promoting urban and society sustainable development due to its comprehensive values. But there is little research as to community garden practices in China. Taking Chinese community gardens as research objects, this study focuses on their spatial distribution and related factors based on the kernel density estimation and overlay analysis methods in ArcGIS, and analyzes the patterns, perceived benefits and barriers of community gardens through field investigation, questionnaire and interview conducted in 35 community gardens. The results indicate: (1) The spatial distribution of community gardens varies among different regions in China and is correlated with precipitation, temperature and policy. (2) There are similarities and differences in patterns of different types of community gardens. (3) The recognitions for social, ecological and health benefits are higher than that for economic benefit. The barriers perceived by gardeners are identified as lack of design and technology, rational management, and effective operation. The barrier perceived by non-gardeners focuses on institutional constraint. This study further proposes optimizing strategies, which could serve as a reference for the development of community gardens. The results of this study may also be useful for policy-makers to use community gardens for promoting urban sustainable development.

Bacillus cereus (EG-Q3) in the Gut of Ectropis grisescens Contributes to Host Response to Starvation Conditions

The gut bacteria of insects play an important role in their nutrition, maintenance, and ecological adaption. Ectropis grisescens is the most important leaf-feeding pest in tea gardens in China. In order to explore whether E. grisescens adaptation under starvation stress is related to its gut bacteria, we used a culture-independent method to compare the composition and diversity of their gut bacteria under starvation treatment. The results revealed no significant changes in core gut bacteria composition and diversity within 24 h of starvation. However, non-core gut bacterial Bacillus increased significantly under starvation conditions. B. cereus strain EG-Q3 isolated from the gut of E. grisescens in carbon source-selected medium showed the ability to degrade fat bodies from E. grisescens in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the fat-lowering ratio of E. grisescens fed with B. cereus strain EG-Q3 (6.76 ± 1.281%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (3.96 ± 0.801%, t = 4.15, df = 8, p < 0.01) after starvation for 4 h. These findings suggest that non-core gut bacterial B. cereus strain EG-Q3 contributes to host adaptation to starvation. Together, this research provides evidence that E. grisescens may benefit from non-core gut bacteria under starvation conditions.

An Experience Inspired by the Evolution of Community Gardens in New York City

In many highly dense urban environments, the urgent needs of residents for increasing green space, improving the quality of the community environment and reconstructing the relationships among residents have given birth to the new space type of community gardens. However, China still lacks this relevant experience. In contrast, New York City's community gardens had a relatively early start, and they now have rich experience in space construction, operation and maintenance. Given their level of experience, they can be used as references for the development of community gardens in China. This paper adopts a bibliometric research method, identifies 201 periodical literature sources published between 2000 and 2020 from the core library of the Web of Science as the object of study, and finally assesses the research hotspot for transferring from macro-research to space-type construction method, social impact, and so on, through CiteSpace software analysis. By virtue of the research process analysis and the results of field surveys and interviews, this paper probes the development status of space construction and social organization construction of the community gardens in New York City, and summarizes that area's effective experience of development. Based on the current development situation of China's community gardens, it is proposed that the development of community gardens should be directed by ensuring the land for development, giving full play to social benefits, and mobilizing social organizations, so as to effectively realize urban space construction and social governance.