Geneva Area Research Articles

A Methodology for Quantifying the Spatial Distribution and Social Equity of Urban Green and Blue Spaces

Urban green and blue space (UGBS) contribute to a variety of nature-based values and human health benefits. As such, they play a critical role for the quality of life and sustainability in cities. Here, we use the metropolitan area of Geneva, Switzerland, as a case study to illustrate that UGBS are heterogeneous in spatial characteristics, such as surface area, naturality, or noise levels, which are associated with key cultural ecosystems services. For each characteristic, we defined a threshold with the realization of an associated cultural ecosystem service, including a novel noise threshold (LAeq < 45 dB) compatible with the notion of “quiet”. We then used geospatial information to generate place-based and people-based indicators that collectively describe the variation in key dimensions of UGBS. We found that, in Geneva, the typical (median) resident has access to 4.7 ha of UGBS, and 89% of residents live within 300 m of the nearest UGBS. Accessible surfaces of UGBS per capita, however, were highly variable by type of UGBS and across neighbourhoods. For example, residents from precarious neighbourhoods are less likely to live within 300 m of quiet UGBS than residents of privileged neighbourhoods, and when they do, these UGBS tend to be smaller. The proposed methodology categorizes UGBS in a manner that both captures their distinct social roles and highlights potential social injustice issues.

Solar potential on facades at urban scale: an integrated approach combining solar and digital building modelling

The paper presents an integrated approach to improve the solar radiation modelling on facades in large-scale built-up areas. The modelling of the built environment must first be improved in terms of level of detail. Thus, from aerial oblique images, a digital twin of the urban scene is created, allowing to process the facades as textured objects and to detect windows using an artificial intelligence image processing. Reflected radiation is significant on vertical surfaces, but complex to model on large areas. The developed model is based on a simplified radiosity approach, which reduces the volume of analysis, storage and thus the computation time, while producing reliable results. A demonstration of the integrated tool is presented for an urban area in Geneva (1 km2), including a solar energy balance assessment for one of the buildings using the results from the solar modelling. The perspective is to generalise the approach to a larger scale and to complete the solar cadastre of the roofs of the Greater Geneva area with the facades.

Long-term health and economic impacts of air pollution in Greater Geneva

Introduction: We estimated the health and economic impacts of chronic exposure to air pollution for the Swiss part of the Greater Geneva area from 2016 to 2018. Materials and methods: We extracted from fine-scale modelled concentration maps for two pollutant indicators, particulate matter PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide. Then, we performed a quantitative health impact assessment of the health burden attributable to anthropogenic-origin air pollution, and estimated the benefits of compliance with the federal Ordinance on Air Pollution Control (OAPC) limit values. Finally, we computed the economic impacts of these health effects. Results: Exposure to fine particles of anthropogenic origin was responsible for 7.5% of annual mortality (280 deaths or 5,900 life years lost), for 14 lung cancers and for 68 strokes annually in the Canton of Geneva. Compliance with the OAPC limit value of 10 µg/m3 as an annual average would reduce annual mortality by 1.5% (62 deaths avoided or 1,300 life years gained). Exposure to anthropogenic-origin NO2 was associated with 5.3% of annual deaths (approximately 200 deaths per year). The estimated total negative economic impacts of anthropogenic-origin fine particles were at least CHF2017 1.3 billion per year, whereas compliance with the OAPC limit values would result in annual economic benefits of at least CHF2017 290 million. Conclusion: We confirmed that air quality remains a health issue on which stakeholder mobilisation is vital. Action plans should tackle emissions from freight and personal mobility, heating, industry and agriculture, while seeking to improve knowledge on health risks from air pollution exposure.

Le Grand Genève neutre en carbone – une vision territoriale transfrontalière pour l’horizon 2050

The Greater Geneva partners have launched a large-scale exploratory project, the Vision territoriale transfrontalière 2050 (Cross-border Territorial Vision 2050). With this approach, they want to find out under which conditions the Greater Geneva area, a living space of one million inhabitants with ongoing demographic growth, can redirect its spatial planning in order to contribute to achieving the objectives of the ecological transition in the broadest sense, while respecting planetary boundaries and social cohesion.At the time of writing, the process is at the halfway point. The article describes the status of the work, the reasons for and origins of the project, its ambitions, working method and first results. Based on this overview, an encouraging interim assessment can be made. Four major converging themes have emerged and the contours of the spatial concept are taking shape. However, this assessment also reveals the complexity of the issue and the obstacles and contradictions to be overcome. Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: the energy and commitment of all the parties involved are impressive and encourage us to continue along the path we have embarked upon.Carbon-neutral Greater Geneva - a cross-border territorial vision for 2050

Beyond topo-climatic predictors: Does habitats distribution and remote sensing information improve predictions of species distribution models?

Species Distribution Models (SDM) represent a powerful tool to predict species’ habitat suitability on a landscape and fill the gap between truncated observation data and all possible locations. SDMs have been widely used in theoretical studies of species niches as well as in conservation applications. Here, we evaluated the impacts of predictors’ type on models’ performances and spatial predictions using 72 plant species belonging to six ecological groups at a regional scale in the area of Geneva (Switzerland). Twelve models were created using various combinations of high-resolution (25 m) explanatory variables including topography, pedology, climate, habitats and remote sensing data. Models integrating a combination of habitats and topopedo-climatic predictors had significantly higher performances, while remote sensing predictors showed low performances. Our results suggest that the number and the level of details of habitat predictors (broad or very precise) do not fundamentally affect prediction maps. However, selecting too few, overly simplified or exceedingly complex habitat predictors tend to lower models’ performances. The use of eight habitat categories complemented with eight topopedo-climatic predictors produced models with the highest performances. Ecological groups of species responded differently to models and while alpine and ruderal species have greater average performances due to a high affinity with topopedo-climatic predictors, wetlands’ species were less performant on average. These results underline the necessity of developing or having access to habitats distribution data especially in a conservation context. • Models with biotic and topo-climatic predictors show the highest performances. • Habitat predictors characteristics have little impact on prediction maps. • When used raw, NDVI and NDWI do not replace biotic information. • Ecological groups of species responded differently to models. • The creation of LULC maps ensure better conservation practices.

Hydrochemical Characterization of Groundwaters’ Fluid Flow through the Upper Mesozoic Carbonate Geothermal Reservoirs in the Geneva Basin: An Evolution more than 15,000 Years Long

Groundwaters circulating in Upper Mesozoic carbonates are of great interest for geothermal heat production and storage applications in the Geneva area. This study aims at providing new insights and proposing new interpretations about the mineral-water reactions and the fluid-flow paths mechanisms across the Geneva Basin (GB). Data from previous studies are combined and improved by new ones collected from cold and hot springs and geothermal exploration wells in 2018 and 2020 in the framework of the GEothermies program and HEATSTORE project. Major ions, trace elements, and the isotopes of Oxygen, Hydrogen, Sulfur, Strontium, and Carbo have been analysed and the results show that the sampled waters have a meteoric origin, the carbonate aquifers act as preferential host rocks for geothermal waters, and partial contribution from the Cenozoic sediments can be observed in some samples. The Jura Mountains and the Saleve Ridge are the main catchment areas and an evolution from a pure Ca-HCO3 footprint for the cold springs, to a Na > Ca-HCO3 and a Na-Cl composutions, is observed at the two geothermal wells. The residence time is in the order of a few years for the cold springs and reaches up to 15–20,000 years for the deep wells.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria under Scrutiny in the Geneva Area (2015–2020)

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly identified in industrialized countries, and their role as pathogens is more frequently recognized. The relative prevalence of NTM strains shows an important geographical variability. Thus, establishing the local relative prevalence of NTM strains is relevant and useful for clinicians. Methods: Retrospective analysis (2015–2020) of a comprehensive database was conducted including all results of cultures for mycobacteria in a University Hospital (Geneva, Switzerland), covering a population of approximately 500,000 inhabitants. All NTM culture-positive patients were included in the analyses. Patients’ characteristics, NTM strains, and time to culture positivity were reported. Results: Among 38,065 samples analyzed during the study period, 411 were culture-positive for NTM, representing 236 strains, and 231 episodes of care which occurred in 222 patients. Patients in whom NTM were identified were predominantly female (55%), with a median age of 62 years, and a low BMI (median: 22.6 kg/m²). The Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was the most frequently identified group (37% of strains) followed by Mycobacterium gordonae (25%) and Mycobacterium xenopi (12%) among the slowly growing mycobacteria (SGM), while the Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus group (11%) were the most frequently identified rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM). Only 19% of all patients were treated, mostly for pulmonary infections: the MAC was the most frequently treated NTM (n = 19, 43% of cases in patients treated) followed by RGM (n = 15, 34%) and M. xenopi (n = 6, 14%). Among those treated, 23% were immunosuppressed, 12% had pulmonary comorbidities, and 5% systemic comorbidities. Cultures became positive after a median of 41 days (IQR: 23; 68) for SGM and 28 days (14; 35) for RGM. Conclusions: In Western Switzerland, M. avium and M. gordonae were the most prevalent NTM identified. Positive cultures for NTM led to a specific treatment in 19% of subjects. Patients with a positive culture for NTM were mostly female, with a median age of 62 years, a low BMI, and a low prevalence of immunosuppression or associated severe comorbidities.

Monitoring newt communities in urban area using eDNA metabarcoding.

Newts are amphibians commonly present in small ponds or garden pools in urban areas. They are protected in many countries and their presence is monitored through visual observation and/or trapping. However, newts are not easy to spot as they are small, elusive and often hidden at the bottom of water bodies. In recent years, environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a popular tool for detecting newts, with a focus on individual species using qPCR assays. Here, we assess the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding compared to conventional visual surveys of newt diversity in 45 ponds within urban areas of Geneva canton, Switzerland. We designed newt-specific mitochondrial 16S rRNA primers, which assign the majority of amplicons to newts, and were able to detect four species known to be present in the region, including the invasive subspecies Lissotriton vulgaris meridionalis, native to the Italian peninsula, that has been introduced in the Geneva area recently. The obtained eDNA results were congruent overall with conventional surveys, confirming the morphological observations in the majority of cases (67%). In 25% of cases, a species was only detected genetically, while in 8% of cases, the observations were not supported by eDNA metabarcoding. Our study confirms the usefulness of eDNA metabarcoding as a tool for the effective and non-invasive monitoring of newt community and suggests its broader use for the survey of newt diversity in urban area at larger scales.

Cohort profile: Actionable Register of Geneva Outpatients and inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 (ARGOS)

PurposeThe Actionable Register of Geneva Outpatients and inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 (ARGOS) is an ongoing prospective cohort created by the Geneva Directorate of Health. It consists of an operational database compiling...

Niveurmôrre: Versions françaises du “Corbeau” au XIXe siècle

Niveurmôrre: Versions françaises du “Corbeau” au XIXe siècle

Quantifying the contributions of native and non-native trees to a city’s biodiversity and ecosystem services

Urban trees are appreciated for their intrinsic value and their contributions to human well-being. Here, we analysed a database of 115′686 non-forest trees (1’025 species) to quantify the present contributions of native and non-native trees to biodiversity (taxonomic richness) in the metropolitan area of Geneva, Switzerland. Non-native trees made up 90 % of species and 40 % of individuals. A subset of these individuals with more detailed phenotypic information (N = 50’718 trees; 527 species) was used to quantify five regulating ecosystem services (micro-particle capture, carbon sequestration, water interception, microclimatic cooling, and support for pollinators), three cultural ecosystem services (natural heritage, recreational, and aesthetic value) and two disservices (allergies and biological invasiveness). Non-native and native trees generated roughly identical regulating services, on a per-tree basis, as these are linked primarily to tree morphology rather than to tree-origin. Non-native trees generated cultural ecosystem services that were greater than native trees, on a per-tree basis, with the exception of the notion of “natural heritage”. For example, 79 % (163/207) of trees independently identified as “remarkable” by the canton of Geneva were non-native. Our results illustrate that non-native trees represent a significant source of biodiversity and ecosystem services both in absolute terms and on a per-tree basis. Given the empirical importance of non-native trees in many cities, and the likelihood that their importance will increase with future climate change, we suggest that non-native trees be considered in conservation assessments and strategic planning both for intrinsic reasons and for their contributions to human well-being.

A laboratory approach for the calibration of seismic data in the western part of the Swiss Molasse Basin: the case history of well Humilly-2 (France) in the Geneva area

A collection of 81 plugs were obtained from the Humilly-2 borehole (France), that reached the Permo-Carboniferous sediments at a depth of 3051 m. Experimental measurements of physical parameters and mineralogical analysis were performed to explore the links between sedimentary facies and seismic characteristics and provide a key tool in the interpretation of seismic field data in terms of geological formations. The plugs, cylinders of 22.5 mm in diameter and sim30 mm in length were collected parallel and perpendicular to the bedding in order to explore their anisotropy. Ultrasound wave propagation was measured at increasing confining pressure conditions up to 260 MPa, a pressure where all micro-fractures are considered closed. The derivatives of velocities with pressure were established, allowing the simulation of lithological transitions at in-situ conditions. At room conditions, measured grain densities (kg/m3) range from 2630 to 2948 and velocities vary from 4339 to 6771 and 2460 to 3975 {text {m/s}} for P- and S-waves propagation modes, respectively. The largest seismic-reflections coefficients were calculated for the interface between the evaporitic facies of the Keuper (Lettenkohle) and the underlying Muschelkalk carbonates (R_{text {c}}= 0.3). The effective porosity has the range of 0.23% to 16.65%, while the maximum fluid permeability left( text {m}^{text {2}}right) is 9.1 times text {10}^{-{text {16}}}. A positive correlation between porosity and ultrasound velocity has been observed for P- and S-waves. The link between velocities and modal content of quartz, dolomite, calcite, and micas has been explored. This paper presents a unique set of seismic parameters potentially useful for the calibration of seismic data in the Geneva Molasse Basin.

Effect Thresholds of Metals in Stream Sediments Based on In Situ Oligochaete Communities

Aquatic oligochaetes, comprising a large number of species showing various degrees of resistance to chemical pollution, are recognized as valuable bioindicators of sediments’ quality. In the Geneva area (Switzerland), oligochaete tools were previously tested for assessing the biological quality of stream sediments, and effect thresholds of combined metals (quotients) in sediments were defined. The aims of the present study were to update this previous work with new data acquired in different cantons of Switzerland and to establish effect thresholds on oligochaete communities for individual metals and for combined metals. The oligochaete metrics “Oligochaete index of sediment bioindication (IOBS)”, “oligochaete density” and “percentage of tubificids without hair setae” proved pertinent for assessing the effects of metals and organic matter in sediments. We established a threshold effect level (TELoligo) and probable effect level (PELoligo) for eight metals in sediments (Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg and As) as well as a probable effect level for these metals combined (mPELoligo-Q). These thresholds could be used directly to screen for alteration of in situ communities restricted to sediments and/or for establishing sediment quality standards based on a combination of different biological and ecotoxicological tools.

Pollinator emerging from extensive green roofs: wild bees (Hymenoptera, Antophila) and hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae) in Geneva (Switzerland)

By the end of 2020, 75% of the Swiss population will live in cities. The urban densification will result in habitat and biodiversity loss. One solution to mitigate this loss in urban environments is the implementation of green roofs that are now recognised as a tool for the maintenance of epigeal and aerial arthropods. Green roofs can provide various services such as pollination and food supply for insects and various arthropods (e.g. arachnids) and animals (e.g. birds). The objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity of pollinating insects emerging from urban green roofs. Wild bees (Hymenoptera) and hoverflies (Diptera) were sampled using emergence traps on six extensive green roofs in the urban area of Geneva (Switzerland), from March to August 2017. Five species of wild bees and two species of hoverflies were identified: Lasioglossum morio (Halictidae) and Sphaerophoria scripta (Syrphidae) are the only two species considered as emerging from green roofs in our study. Ecological traits of these two species indicated generalists, well adapted to xero-thermophilic conditions.

Predictors of Treatment Outcome in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study in the Greater Geneva Area, Switzerland.

This study aims to identify predictors of treatment outcome in young children with ASD within a European context, where service provision of intervention remains sporadic. We investigated whether a child's age at baseline, intensity of the intervention provided, type of intervention, child's level of social orienting and cognitive skills at baseline predicted changes in autistic symptoms and cognitive development after 1year of intervention, in a sample of 60 children with ASD. Our results strongly support early and intensive intervention. We also observed that lower cognitive skills at baseline were related to greater cognitive gains. Finally, we show that a child's interest in social stimuli may contribute to intervention outcome.

Results of a walk‐above vertical seismic profiling survey acquired at the Thônex‐01 geothermal well (Switzerland) to delineate fractured carbonate formations for geothermal development

ABSTRACTThis paper deals with the design, acquisition and processing of vertical seismic profiling data collected in 2016 at the directional Thônex‐01 geothermal well, drilled in 1993 in the Geneva Canton (Switzerland). The aim of the study was to obtain additional information from existing‐abandoned well for downhole geophysical characterization of potential geothermal reservoirs in the Geneva area. The main results obtained by this study allowed an improved subsurface image by multi‐offset acquisitions near and around the deviated well. Specifically we were able to (1) improve the velocity model of the Geneva Basin, which, at present, is only constrained by one unique deep exploration well, located at the south‐west of the basin, far away from the study area; (2) image the transition between the Tertiary Molasse siliciclastic sediments and the Mesozoic carbonates; (3) define an acquisition strategy for future vertical seismic profiling surveys in support of the geothermal exploration campaigns in the area. This study has demonstrated the value of vertical seismic profiling method for the refinement of the subsurface geology at local scale, and its usefulness to assist the planning of second well associated with geothermal doublets.

First report of Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum, the European stone fruit yellows phytoplasma on peach trees on the territory of Canton of Geneva, Switzerland

In recent years, ‘Ca. P. prunorum’, the agent of ESFY was reported from several apricot orchards of Canton of Wallis, the main apricot production region in Switzerland (Genini and Ramel, 2004). The psyllid vector Cacopsylla pruni was also found in several locations in the Lake Geneva area (Ackermann et al., 2006). The presence of the disease and of its proven vector C. pruni at the eastern part of the Lake Geneva area, as well as the existing risk of dissemination of ESFY to other stone fruit orchards along the Lake Geneva are the reasons for which ESFY needs to be studied further. ESFY and its possible dissemination through C. pruni on the territory of Canton of Geneva, bordering France, has never been yet studied. In 2016, visual observations were conducted in several stone fruit orchards near Geneva. Plant material was obtained from peach trees, displaying some of the typical symptoms such premature leaf colouration, leaf-roll, tree decline (Sabaté et al., 2015), in the autumn, when the concentration of the phytoplasma in the upper parts of the trees is the highest. Phloem was prepared from branches and was extracted with a CTAB-based adapted protocol (Lefort and Douglas, 1999). PCR amplification of phytoplasma DNA was achieved with the universal primers: fP1/rP7 (Deng and Hiruki, 1991; Schneider et al., 1995). All positive samples were tested with the ESFY-specific non-ribosomal primers ECA1/ECA2 (Jarausch et al., 1998). Typical symptoms of ESFY, like premature leaf colouration, leaf yellowing with reddish edges, leaf-roll, severe chlorosis, die-back of top branches and partial or, complete decline of the trees (Figure 1) were found in a peach orchard (GPS coordinates: 46°15'17.4"N 6°12'40.7"E) located in the area of Collonge-Bellerive, close to Geneva city. Ten trees were sampled in this orchard. The presence of ‘Ca. P. prunorum’ was confirmed in two of them (Figure 2 and Figure 3). At the beginning of spring 2017, the monitoring of the ESFY symptoms in the infested orchard was resumed. Early bud break was found on the two infected trees and the infection was confirmed again by PCR (Figure 4 and Figure 5). The same symptoms were observed in many trees of this orchard, which correlated with the previous autumn observations. Trapping confirmed the presence of the insect vector Cacopsylla pruni (Bodnár et al., 2018) in the infected area. In order to understand more about the origin and the diversity of ESFY phytoplasma in this area, additional plant and insect samples will be analyzed. The correlation between symptoms and infected plants will be studied further. We report here for the first time on the occurrence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ (‘Ca. P. prunorum’) the agent of ESFY on the territory of Canton of Geneva.

FCC-ee and the CR effects

The proposed new FCC-ee e+e– colliders will be hosted in the Geneva area as the new 100 km tunnel will allow producing collisions at centre-of-mass energies from 90 to 350 GeV and beyond at several interaction points and will be used for a precision measurement at the Z pole, WW threshold, HZ cross section maximum and tt̅ threshold with an unequaled accuracy. New measurements, which will be realized with large amount of data and at high energies accessible at the FCC-ee would allow a detailed study of the Color Reconnection phenomenon, especially in the hadronic WW decays, and would be helpful for other studies, for example in search for these effects in tt̅ and in Higgs decays.

Ultrahigh Fluence Radiation Monitoring Technology for the Future Circular Collider at CERN

The future circular collider (FCC) is foreseen as the next-generation ~100-km long synchrotron to be built in the Geneva area starting 2050. This machine is expected to reach an energy level of 100 TeV generating unprecedented radiation levels >100 times higher than in today’s large hadron collider (LHC). Current radiation monitoring system, like the RADMONs employed in the LHC, will not be capable to function and withstand this harsh environment. The development of a new ultrahigh fluence and dose radiation sensor is a key element to allow irradiation tests of FCC equipment and, at a later stage, to monitor radiation levels in the FCC itself. In this paper, we present an innovative dosimetry solution based on thin layers of metals, which resistivity is shown to increase significantly due to the accumulated displacement damage. After describing the fabrication techniques used to manufacture these radiation-dependent resistors, we show and discuss the results of the irradiation experiments carried out with neutrons (up to 1018 n/cm2 at the JSI TRIGA reactor) and with protons (up to 5.2 $\times 10^{16}$ p/cm2 at CERN IRRAD Facility) to validate the proposed concept of possible ultrahigh fluence FCC dosimeter.

P221 Time to diagnosis in patients treated for tuberculosis in the Geneva area : a pilot study

P221 Time to diagnosis in patients treated for tuberculosis in the Geneva area : a pilot study