Green Space Management Research Articles

Public Satisfaction in the Management and Use of Green Open Space in Manado City, North Sulawesi Province

The community has the right to utilize public open spaces. Therefore, the government has the responsibility to provide public open spaces and provide supporting facilities that can be used by the community according to their designation. Manado City in implementing Law Number 26 of 2007 has provided public open spaces for the community. The availability of public open spaces has been utilized by the community for sports activities, recreation or simply interacting with others. The open spaces that are often used by the people of Manado City besides the Blessing Park and the coastal reclamation park are also the Sparta Tikala Field, the Wenang National Unity Park, and the KONI Sario Field. However, in its management and utilization, several complaints are still found from the community. This study was conducted to identify and analyze community satisfaction in the management and use of green open spaces in Manado City. The research design used is qualitative with a descriptive approach. Data were obtained by conducting interviews with the community who use green open spaces and the managers of green open spaces. Observations were made by visiting the existing green open spaces directly and observing all the facilities available and the activities carried out by the community when they were in the green open space. Secondary data collection was conducted by utilizing Google Scholar and ResearchGate to obtain references that can support the achievement of research objectives. Data analysis was conducted using the stages of data reduction,

Growing green: Exploring the drivers of citizens’ participation in Italian urban and peri-urban forestation governance

Urban and peri-urban forests (UPUFs) are essential components of urban landscapes that offer multiple benefits to local communities, above all to those who live in large cities. This realization has fueled the interest of the scientific community in understanding citizens’ attitudes and perceptions towards UPUFs, focusing on the diverse ecosystem services they provide in social and environmental terms. However, less attention has been paid to the citizens’ perceptions and attitudes about UPUFs in relation to their willingness to participate in their governance. This quantitative study aims to address this gap by identifying the main factors that affect citizens’ participation in UPUFs governance. Conducted in large Italian Metropolitan Functional Urban Areas, composed of a city and its commuting zone, with a population above 500,000 inhabitants, this study provides valuable insights into citizens’ willingness to participate in UPUFs governance. Results indicate that citizens' socio-demographic factors (especially education, age, and income) and the frequency of visits impact their perception of UPUFs. High positive perceptions of environmental quality and low perceptions of the negative impact of UPUFs promote active participation in governance, especially among young citizens with heightened green space sensitivity, among those dissatisfied with current green space management and those advocating for effective communication campaigns. These findings can provide a practicable scientific reference for municipalities to refine their corresponding decision-making and communication, and to devise effective urban forest programs.

Exploring the negative perceptions of tree-based urban green space. People's behaviour and management are crucial

Studies dealing with services and benefits of urban green space are overrepresented compared to those addressing disservices, perceived constraints and other negative perceptions. Even when focusing on disservices and perceived constraints, the studies often take into account only a limited number of reasons for the negative perception. In this study we conducted a series of focus group interviews with the members of the public in the city of Zagreb (Croatia) with the goal of grasping the variety of reasons for negative perception, providing classification of those perceptions and exploring whether and how the perception is related to sociodemographic characteristics. Participants mostly discussed negative perceptions due to the behaviour of other users and perceived inadequate management of urban green space, while the least about the perception of safety. Tree disservices accounted only for a small portion of overall reasons for the negative perception. Age, gender, household income, employment status, number of preschool children and the length of living in Zagreb proved statistically significant for the perception, while education was not. Focus groups as a method enabled cataloguing the variety of reasons for negative perception. Understanding the range of reasons leading to the negative public perception of urban green space contributes to better planning, management and meeting public needs and expectations.

Empowering the Muhammadiyah Kemasan Branch Community: Greening the Environment with Food Plants and Toga

Ranting Muhammadiyah Kemasan, in collaboration with KKNT-T students, focuses on community empowerment and environmental improvement at Masjid Al-Muhtadin. The main challenges are the lack of green space and poor waste management. The program consists of three stages: Observation, Implementation, and Maintenance. The observation stage identifies environmental issues such as disorganized construction materials and insufficient green areas. Implementation includes planting ornamental and TOGA plants and providing waste bins for organic and inorganic waste separation. Maintenance involves watering and educating the community on cleanliness. As a result, the aesthetics and comfort of the mosque environment have improved, TOGA plants offer long-term benefits, and community awareness of mosque cleanliness has increased, strengthening collective responsibility.

Dog swimming and ectoparasiticide water contamination in urban conservation areas: A case study on Hampstead Heath, London

Widespread occurrence of two ectoparasiticide compounds in the aquatic environment, imidacloprid and fipronil, have prompted concerns about their potential environmental impacts. However, very little focus has been placed on water bodies in urban green spaces used for dog swimming. In this study, occurrence of both substances on Hampstead Heath, London, was compared in ponds with (n = 3) and without dog swimming activity (n = 3), as well as connecting streams above, between, and below these ponds (n = 6). Imidacloprid and fipronil were detected at main swimming points in dog swimming ponds at mean concentrations of 309 ± 104 ng/L and 32 ± 13 ng/L, respectively, indicating a high environmental risk in all samples. Measured concentrations in ponds not accessible for dog swimming were either below the limits of detection or limits of quantification for both chemicals. Across all ponds, there was a strong positive correlation between measured dog swimming activities and concentrations of imidacloprid (R2 = 0.91) and fipronil (R2 = 0.79). Some contamination was detected in connecting streams between ponds. A wider chemical analysis for the presence of urban waste water chemical residue signatures indicated minimal contamination, including in source waters. A survey of visitors who allow their dogs to swim in the sampled ponds confirmed frequent use of products containing imidacloprid and fipronil. In total, 86 % of 101 dog owners were unaware of the potential environmental impacts of products, and 94 % indicated that protecting nature would be an important consideration when selecting products. Besides the current practice of limiting dog access to ponds, information collected on product use and dog swimming practices identified additional opportunities to reduce contamination. We suggest that more cooperation between industry, regulators, veterinarians, green space managers, and the public can reduce risks to urban biodiversity while maintaining recreational benefits for dog owners and dogs.

Short-Term Growth Dynamics of Spontaneous and Planted Vegetation on Subtropical Extensive Green Roof as Renaturalized Biotope

Spontaneous vegetation within a managed green space is often regarded as unwelcoming and insignificant weeds. This perception is still deep-rooted among green-space managers and the general public worldwide; they are generally uncertain about the management needs after allowing these groups of flora to take root. The short-term growth dynamics of both spontaneous and planted vegetation should be analyzed, and a widely acceptable, feasible management plan to balance aesthetic and ecological functions should be formulated with the backing of data and analysis for such fast-growing flora in tropical and subtropical regions. A manicured, extensive green roof with only seven (two native, five exotic) plant species was transformed into a renaturalized biotope by replacing 15 native ferns and forb species over 15 months. After planting, a baseline plant survey was conducted, with 54 plant species representing spontaneous growth and 14 planted species alive (7 planted native species survived, plus 7 species planted prior to renaturalization revived). Three quarterly plant surveys recorded the cover-abundance of each species, and the growth dynamics of the planted and spontaneous plant species were evaluated over the first year of study. During each quarterly survey, the number of planted and spontaneous plant species remained stable (ranging from 14 to 16 species and 51 to 54 species, respectively), with a constant turnover of 11 to 12 die-out species and 11 to 12 newly colonized or revived species. Plant coverage of different plant forms fluctuated slightly (within 7%) in the quarterly surveys according to seasonal changes, except for ferns, which outperformed (12% increase in coverage in a year) all the other plant forms. The height of the planted vegetation fluctuated in a year, being shorter during the summer, while the height of spontaneous vegetation remained stable throughout the year, exhibiting resilience to scouring heat. The seasonal growth tendencies of both planted and spontaneous plants were illustrated in relation to their species ranks, and further hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted for the clustering of spontaneous species. Their differential growth patterns provided comprehensive information or supported decisions regarding plant selection and maintenance, which is a scientific novelty within this unexplored topic. Management recommendations based on the findings were suggested to fulfill both aesthetic and ecological needs. Species with stable and less stable growth patterns could be useful to meet maintenance efficiency and biodiversity enhancement needs, respectively. These findings provide insights to form guiding principles for choosing plant species for renaturalization projects.

Evaluating urban biodiversity: Effectiveness of citizen science driven species distribution models in urban ecosystems

Citizen science (CS) and remote sensing (RS) approaches have become more reliable, thus providing higher resolution and generating a large amount of environmental data. When considering urban environments, where fragmented and highly diverse landscapes are predominant, the combination of citizen science data and remote sensing techniques with species distribution models (SDM) can play a vital role in comprehensively investigating and evaluating urban biodiversity. However, citizen science derived species distribution models for multiple avian species in dense and fragmented urban areas are rarely used. The study aims (I) to elaborate, whether CS driven SDMs can be effectively used in spatially complex urban environments; (II) to identify biodiversity hotspots and prioritize areas for nature conservation and (III) to examine, if existing protective areas correspond to species’ hotspots. Therefore, Citizen science-based datasets of 26 breeding bird species over three years were obtained for this analysis in Germany’s Ruhr Metropolis. Quality assurance, data thinning, and pseudo-absence simulations were performed. Spatial data from the ecosystem LiDAR project GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation), climate data from the German Weather Service, and land use information from Copernicus were used as environmental predictors. Eleven different species distri-bution models (SDMs) were trained on species subselection by using Biomod2 for preliminary analysis. Overall model performance was evaluated via several metrics, including TSS (true skill statistics) and ROC (receiver operating characteristic). Finally, four species distribution models were used for ensemble modelling. Subsequently, a species richness analysis was performed with the aim of identifying spots with high avian biodiversity. Overall, the CS-derived SDMs performed well, with high predictive power for all of the investigated species. Within the Ruhr Metropolis, approximately 6% (250 km²) of the terrain was identified as being highly suitable for avian diversity, inhabiting at least 17 out of 26 species. Predominantly within the core urban areas, high species richness was predicted on preserved brownfields and revitalized mine sites, as well as in the remnants of formerly demarcated regional greenbelts. Additionally, regions outside of the core area, which are part of the overarching biotope network framework, proved to have high species richness capabilities for avian biodiversity. These findings aid in optimizing urban development concepts and (sub)urban green space management with respect to urban biodiversity conservation. Following the implications of the recently established Regional Biodiversity Strategy in the Ruhr Metropolis, this analysis demonstrates the importance of networked green spaces, their preservation and the need to close existing network gaps within the Ruhr Metropolis.

Strangler fig–host tree associations: Insights into the ecology and management of tropical urban green spaces

Societal Impact StatementThe strangler fig is known for its hemiepiphytic growth form and conspicuous strangling behavior in the tropics worldwide. It also plays an important role in providing ecological functions in tropical urban ecosystems. This study reveals strangler figs tend to colonize large trees with suitable microsites in a large tropical botanical garden and cause some negative effects on their hosts. We advocate balanced management strategies considering ecological functions, potential risks, and overall values of stranglers and their hosts. These results provide a scientific basis for us to develop better practices for plant management in urban green spaces (especially botanical gardens with high plant biodiversity) in tropical urban ecosystems.Summary Strangler figs colonize trees in tropical cities, which contribute to a unique urban ecology and enrich local ecological functions. Understanding ecological associations between strangler figs and their host trees can improve green space management in tropical urban ecosystems. We investigated 9282 trees growing in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and then analyzed the diversity, characteristics, and network of strangler figs and their host trees. We found 13 strangler fig species (319 individuals) widely colonized 67 host species, with palm hosts bearing 52% of all strangler individuals. Strangler figs had a high colonization rate in large trees with appropriate microsites (e.g., persistent palm petioles and the fork of mature trees with rough trunks). Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content of hosts decreased significantly after strangler figs' aerial roots had entered the ground. The strangler–host network was characterized by relatively high specialization and low nestedness, and simulated management of strangler figs on large hosts and palm hosts could simplify the strangler–host network. Strangler fig colonization can be managed. Planting trees with large diameters at breast height and rough bark can increase the colonization of stranglers, while cutting off aerial roots can inhibit their establishment. The epiphytic stage is the best time to manage strangler figs. We recommend taking into consideration the trade‐offs among ecological functioning, human safety, and the multifaceted value of strangler figs and their host trees and thereby implementing comprehensive management strategies tailored to different contexts for improving green space management in the tropics.

Green spaces in Ghana’s built environment: Analyzing perceptions and urban planning perspectives through the lens of the New Environmental Paradigm

In the busy world of city growth, urban green spaces in Ghana are befallen with destruction due to urbanization. Using a cross-sectional design and case-studying Damongo and Kintampo, this study assessed the perceptions of urban residents and urban planning perspectives about green spaces in enhancing the environmental condition of fast-growing urban areas, and proposed guidelines for the managing green spaces within Ghana’s built environment. The results revealed that underutilization and insufficient funding for greenspace management increase vulnerability to urban encroachment, especially during inward city growth. Again, the exhaustion of the limited resources of the earth could have repercussions for the population of the earth; however, the need for such resources and the level of poverty influences poor environmental decisions. Further, the results showed that planning for urban green and open space ought to be decided at the local level. The study, therefore, recommends a collaborative approach involving city authorities, private sectors, and the public for effective green space management, emphasizing inclusive decision-making and active preservation, and the development of local standards within a national framework, guided by an urban green spaces protection scheme.

Urban Greening Management Arrangements between Municipalities and Citizens for Effective Climate Adaptation Pathways: Four Case Studies from The Netherlands

The transition towards nature-based cities has increasingly become a central focus in political–environmental agendas and urban design practices, aiming to enhance climate adaptation, urban biodiversity, spatial equilibrium, and social well-being as part of the ongoing socio-ecological urban transition process. Climate adaptation in cities is a complex problem and one of the main collective challenges for society, but the relationships between city managers and citizens as to urban green care still face many challenges. Parks design guided by technical-expert and globalised criteria; inflexibility from bureaucratic inertia; and citizens’ demands to participate in the urban green transition, sometimes without the necessary knowledge or time, are some of the challenges that require further research. In this study, we examine four long-lasting approaches to green-space management in four cities in the Netherlands, ranging from municipality-driven to community-driven management forms, and encompassing diverse spatial configurations of greenery within the urban fabric. Utilising the theoretical lens of the Social–Ecological Systems Framework, we employ a multiple-case-study approach and ethnographic fieldwork analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the norms, collective-choice rules, and social conventions embodied in each urban green management arrangement. The purpose of this research is applied, that is, to provide urban managers and decision-makers with a deeper understanding of drivers to promote effective collaborative management approaches, focusing on specific organisational rules that may contribute to more sustained planning and maintenance pathways for urban green spaces, regardless of changes in political leadership or significant external funding sources. The results of the investigated cases show that long-lasting collaborative management of forests and parks has established a set of collective-choice rules for resource transfer between municipalities and citizens, including non-monetary resources (such as pruning-training courses or guided tours that attract tourists and researchers). Additionally, these arrangements have been favoured by the existence of legal norms that enable co-ownership of the land, and monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms that offer a slightly different interpretation from the evidence identified so far in the scientific literature on collective resource management and organisational studies.

Biodiversity preservation in German higher education institutions: existing approaches, challenges and future developments

Purpose This paper aims to explore the current stage of biodiversity preservation in higher education institutions (HEIs), using samples from German universities and investigating three different dimensions, namely, existing approaches, challenges and future developments. Design/methodology/approach Semistructured expert interviews were conducted with employees from 14 German Universities. To analyze the data, both deductive and inductive methods of content analysis were conducted to systematically code the results. Findings This research shows that efforts for biodiversity preservation are frequently made in the areas of student and staff initiatives, green space management, as well as in research and teaching. However, German HEIs face numerous hurdles such as interest conflict, lack of prioritization and financial restrictions, some of which are difficult to overcome. In the future, HEIs should seek a deeper integration of biodiversity into curricula to further raise biodiversity awareness. Research limitations/implications This study provides practical implications by providing good practices, which can serve as a guide for implementing measures for biodiversity preservation. By understanding the struggles and future expectations, stakeholders and policymakers could promote targeted measures and relevant policies to advance biodiversity initiatives at and beyond universities. Moreover, the research shows the importance of involving students and staff actively in the planning and executing stage for biodiversity preservation through initiatives to achieve green campuses. Originality/value The paper presents an essential research field which is still in its earlier stage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study that focuses on German Universities in this context. This study adds value in providing in-depth insights into this topic to raise awareness of biodiversity preservation in both practice and research.

Research on Digital Greening Management of Smart Gardens in Chenggong District, Kunming City

With the rapid urbanization in China, city scales have expanded, bringing numerous management challenges. The continuous expansion of urban green spaces highlights the difficulty of adapting traditional urban garden management to complex conditions. The solution lies in using AI and big data for smart city management, specifically termed 'Smart Gardens'. This system integrates modern information technology into daily urban garden management. Through platform management systems, it enables comprehensive planning, construction, maintenance, supervision, and service of urban green spaces. This ensures real-time data updates, visualized management, and dynamic services. This digital transformation is essential. This paper analyzes the current issues and future development strategies of digitalized garden management in Chenggong District, Kunming. Through literature review, field research, and data collection, it aims to enhance the green space management in Chenggong District and other regions.

How do species richness and colour diversity of plants affect public perception, preference and sense of restoration in urban green spaces?

Urban development has led to an overlap between natural and artificial environments, affecting individuals’ experiences with nature. To create high-quality urban natural environments, it is crucial to understand the residents’ perceptions, preferences and psychophysical health benefits concerning biodiversity. This study, employing various experimental designs, investigated the perceptions, preferences and restorative experiences of 695 participants concerning different levels of plant species richness and colour diversity in four typical urban green space types (lawn, forest, square and streetscape). The following discoveries were made: (i) The colour diversity carried by vegetation in lawns was an important basis for the public to identify plant diversity. Lawns with high richness achieved by different grass species (that have green colour) were not preferred by the public, and increased colour diversity that can be achieved by adding flowering plants (forbs) was preferred by people more than a single green lawn. The species richness of forests was positively correlated with public perception, preference and perceived restoration, with single green forests being preferred by the public. Additionally, people preferred vegetated environments over unvegetated squares or streetscapes. (ii) Participants’ perceptions, preferences and perceived restoration were positively correlated. Their preference for and perceived restoration from plant diversity depended more on their perception of it than on the actual species richness. (iii) Participants’ gender, expertise, physical condition, ecological knowledge, childhood living environment, frequency of use and accessibility of green spaces, natural orientation (connectedness), gardening, sense of security and well-being all influenced their perceptions, preferences and perceived restoration from plant diversity to varying extents. Significant distinctions were found between different forms of experimental design. Combining between-subject and within-subject designs could both control individual errors to some extent and avoid long-term effects on the participants compared to using either design alone. These findings provide a theoretical basis and practical approach for future biodiversity-oriented urban green space planning and management to better maximise the ecological and social service benefits of urban green spaces.

Peri-Urban and Urban Green Space Management and Planning: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece

Peri-Urban and Urban Green Space Management and Planning: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece

Utilizing regression model to characterize the impact of urban green space features on the subjective well-being of older adults

Based on the background of rapid global ageing, research exploring urban green spaces and the subjective well-being of urban residents has become one of the key research interests. However, the evidence for assessing the real benefits of urban green spaces on the subjective well-being of older adults by comprehensively examining the features of urban green spaces is limited. We surveyed older urban green space users (n = 536) aged 60 years and older in Nanjing, China, and evaluated the impacts of spatial, green, and grey features of urban green spaces on older people's overall satisfaction with urban green spaces and subjective well-being. The results of the multiple linear regression model showed a strong association between the three types of urban green space features, overall satisfaction with urban green space, and subjective well-being of older adults. The study results indicated that the grey feature of urban green spaces emerged as the most influential factor (p = 0.004) among the three features of urban green spaces in relation to their effect on the subjective well-being of older adults. This implies that it is essential to focus on the importance of grey s of urban green spaces in the planning and design of urban green spaces for older adults' use of different urban green spaces and their sense of well-being. These results contribute to the development of healthy ageing policies and age-friendly urban green space management strategies in rapid ageing countries around the world.

Urban agriculture as ecosystem services provider: A review

Background: Urban agriculture’s role in mitigating the urban environment deterioration as ecosystem services provider. Urban agriculture adds various functions to different landscape scales, providing numerous benefits if managed correctly. This paper aims to study the role of urban agriculture as ecosystem services provider in mitigating urban environment deterioration. Method: The method that will be used in this article is literature review from articles related to urban agriculture and ecosystem services from provisioning, regulating, services, and cultural. The review is compiled from urban agriculture’s function as ecosystem services provider, such as biodiversity conservation, microclimate regulation, aesthetic function, and food production. Result: In essence, urban agriculture is a diverse and vital solution for cities, and it takes various forms, from private gardens to community plots, addressing challenges like limited public funding and promoting greening initiatives. Urban agriculture plays a key role in biodiversity conservation, contributing to enhanced environmental benefits and the preservation of local habitats. Another crucial role in regulating the complex dynamics of the urban microclimate, offering ecological benefits such as reduced Urban Heat Island effects, wind protection, and pollutant absorption. Beyond its ecological impact, urban agriculture adds aesthetic value to urban spaces, creating visually appealing landscapes and promoting cultural integration. Moreover, it serves as a multifaceted strategy for sustainable urban development, addressing food security, resilience, and well-being. Conclusion: Amidst challenges, such as the threat to urban biodiversity and the need for proper green space management, urban agriculture emerges as a holistic approach, contributing to the visual, cultural, and environmental fabric of cities. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study offers a new perspective on urban agriculture as a multifunctional solution to address urban environmental degradation. By integrating agriculture into the urban landscape, the study reveals the transformative potential for creating greener, more resilient and sustainable cities.

Urban greenspaces shape soil nematode community across soil depth gradients: Belowground life at The Ohio State University

Urban greenspaces face significant anthropogenic transformation, impacting soil ecosystems, multifunctionality, and global biodiversity. With increasing population and urbanization, understanding the drivers influencing soil nematode communities in urban greenspaces is crucial for sustainable urban ecosystem management. We chose the campus of The Ohio State University (OSU) due to its unique urban settings with minimally disturbed both turf and non-turf ecosystems. This study focuses on nematodes, the often-overlooked ecological engineers which play diverse roles in ecosystem functions. Nematodes were collected from 99 sampling locations across three soil depths to represent two ecosystem types (i.e., turf and non-turf) of the OSU campus. Among plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), Helicotylenchus and Pratylenchus populations were above damage threshold limits. No specific pattern of community composition was observed in the spatial variation map. The presence of rare PPN genera in the lower soil layers had a significant impact on beta diversity. Trophic group abundances displayed distinct patterns, with turf ecosystems exhibiting higher PPN as well as total nematode abundance decreasing with soil depths. In the subsurface layer (10–30 cm), both bacterivores and fungivores were higher in the non-turf than turf ecosystem. Fungal-dominated decomposition of organic matter was observed in both ecosystem types. Soil physiochemical properties, specifically, total organic carbon and soil texture, had a significant impact on PPN community composition. However, nematode trophic group composition was more altered by ecosystem type than edaphic factors followed by soil depths. Together these three explanatory variables explained 27.5 % of the total variance in trophic group composition. Overall, this study provides insights into the complex interactions between PPN, trophic groups, soil properties, and urban ecosystem characteristics, contributing valuable knowledge for sustainable urban greenspace management.

How funding scarcity and ineffective governance tools inhibit urban greenspace provision: An exploration of municipal greenspace managers’ insights

Local government is at the forefront of providing communities with urban greenspace, amidst responding to global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and population growth. Much research has focused on the demands for more urban greenspace; far less has examined issues concerning supply. Better understanding of the dilemmas faced by those charged with the task of providing urban greenspace at the city scale can help policymakers, planners, and aligned professions ensure that municipal resources are appropriately and justly allocated. We aim to address this gap, answering two research questions: 1) what factors shape urban greenspace provision, and 2) how do these factors manifest differently for municipalities of Australia and New Zealand? We surveyed 82 local government officers/officials from mid-size municipalities of nine Anglophone countries about their experience providing municipal greenspace. We expose some of the experiences, challenges, and emerging issues facing contemporary municipal greenspace providers globally, including the drivers and barriers to urban greenspace provision. Findings reveal the complexities of supplying urban greenspace, shaped by multiple factors. While funding, community expectations, and governance tools, are the main factors, funding is the main barrier to providing urban greenspace globally. Moreover, almost all other factors affect availability of sufficient funding. Key differences for Australia and New Zealand reveal a broadening conceptualisation of the purpose of parks: more so multi-purpose than primarily sport and recreation. Revealing challenges greenspace managers face in delivering adequate urban greenspace and facilities, these findings question the efficacy of the current planning approaches embedded in planning legislation, municipal greenspace plans and strategies.

Biodiversity promotes urban ecosystem functioning

The proportion of people living in urban areas is growing globally. Understanding how to manage urban biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem services is becoming more important. Biodiversity can increase ecosystem functioning in non‐urban systems. However, few studies have reviewed the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in urban areas, which differ in species compositions, abiotic environments, food webs, and turnover rates. We reviewed evidence of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships in urban environments and assessed factors that influence the relationship direction. Based on 70 studies, relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning were more positive than negative in urban areas, especially for pollination and nutrient cycling and retention. Surprisingly, positive and negative relationships between biodiversity and biomass production and storage were equally not statistically different, perhaps due to extensive plant management in urban areas. The number of studies and geographic coverage of our review was still insufficient to provide a general predictive framework for when biodiversity positively impacts ecosystem functioning. We identify gaps and opportunities to improve urban biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research and discuss how our findings can improve urban green space management.

Quantifying the Wild: Public Acceptance and Challenges of Urban Wildscapes in Chiba, Japan

People’s reduced connection with nature has led to many health problems. In the NBS framework, urban wildscapes (UWSs) are considered an important solution. They can contribute to improving the health of residents and ecosystems within the city. However, overly wild green spaces may also be offensive to residents. It is necessary to understand the public’s acceptance of UWSs. Current studies on the acceptance of UWSs have used vague terms to generalize the “wildness degree”. In this study, we attempted to quantify the degree of wildness using plant height and plant abundance in Japan and analyzed the results through mediated effect analysis. We discovered the following: 1. Japanese residents have low acceptance of UWSs in vacant lots. 2. The use of “height” and “abundance” may be a more objective way to quantify wildness. 3. The negative effects of abundance can be minimized. The negative effect of height cannot be controlled. This study addresses a gap in the study of Asian cities and proposes a novel approach to quantifying “wildness.” It improves the health benefits of UWSs. Furthermore, it can offer guidance on the management and construction of urban green spaces.