Microclimate Regulation Research Articles

Influence of urban morphology on potential of green roofs in regulating local microclimate: A case study of Liège, Belgium

Urban microclimate varies for different urban morphologies in a city necessitating the assessment of impact of green roofs on the local microclimate in such typical morphologies. This paper explores the role of roof greening in regulating the local microclimate in Liège, Belgium, for nine realistic and unique urban morphological archetypes during a heatwave. The urban morphological archetypes are obtained based on a systematic data-driven approach using an extensive list of morphological parameters. Nine scenarios without green roofs and nine scenarios with green roofs are simulated using Solene-microclimat model. Green roofs are introduced only on the existing flat roofs identified using remote-sensing to analyse the realistic impact of roof greening. Our findings suggest that distinct morphologies in the archetypes result in distinctive impact of roof greening on these archetypes. For instance, green roofs can reduce surface temperature effectively in compact high-rise archetypes, whereas green roofs' potential to reduce air temperature is limited. While green roofs can effectively reduce surface and air temperature in compact low-rise archetypes, most compact low-rise archetypes are residential and have fewer flat roofs to green. However, large low-rise archetypes, which are predominantly industrial/commercial, can be retrofitted with green roofs, considering large potential of roof greening. This study provides insight into the interplay between urban morphology, realistic roof greening potential, and the UHI effect on local microclimate, improving our understanding of microclimate regulation with green roofs.

Tree Planting Activity to Nurture Impactful Mission (Tanim) at Select Barangay in San Jose, Batangas

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Tree Planting Activity to Nurture Impactful Mission (TANIM) at select barangay in San Jose, Batangas. The study design is descriptive-qualitative in nature. Based on the qualitative data analysis, two themes have emerged such as simple yet useful and the short-term and long-term ecological benefits. The respondents felt contentment and fulfillment with themselves and felt a sense of accomplishment as described as a sense of success and service from the heart which implied a profound sense of achievement and a heartfelt commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. The short-term ecological benefits as described by the participants were local biodiversity, soil protection, soil health improvement, air quality improvement, and microclimate regulation while the potential long-term ecological benefits were enhanced biodiversity, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, climate resilience, nursery operations, seed collection and processing, community engagement, aesthetic and recreational value of planting more trees, and educational opportunities which implied the immediate gains and envisioned the lasting advantages. The output of the study is the action to increase participation in the Tree Planting Activity to Nurture Impactful Mission (TANIM).

Ecosystem Services and Public Perception of Green Infrastructure from the Perspective of Urban Parks: A Case Study of Luoyang City, China

As one form of urban green infrastructure, city parks provide essential ecosystem services and serve as a vital link connecting citizens with natural ecosystems. The public, as the primary beneficiaries of urban park ecosystem services, plays a crucial role in guiding the improvement and development trends of urban park planning. Most existing studies assess the comprehensive value of green spaces from a macro scale, with few focusing on the cultural and regulatory ecosystem services of urban parks and public perception of these services at the park level. This study targets 11 typical urban parks in Luoyang City, collecting 771 samples through field mapping and surveys. It analyzes users’ socio-demographic characteristics, perception abilities, usage preferences, and service satisfaction, linking these subjective factors with objective elements of the park environment, such as fitness and recreational facilities. The results indicate that respondents with knowledge of ecosystem services are better able to evaluate and understand services such as air pollution reduction and noise reduction in parks, while those without such knowledge tend to focus more on services that they can intuitively perceive, such as biodiversity conservation and microclimate regulation. Additionally, the middle-income group exhibits a higher level of awareness of park ecosystem services, which depends on their active social participation. The findings of this study suggest that enhancing public understanding of ecosystem services through environmental education is key to improving the quality of urban ecosystems.

The effects of bedroom microclimate regulation behaviors on sleep quality: A field study on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The environmental regulatory behaviors of humans have a myriad of effects on the microclimate of bedrooms and the quality of sleep. Due to the special geographical climate, proposing non-invasive optimal strategies for environmental regulation is of considerable significance to improve sleep quality among high-altitude residents. However, there is no report on the environmental regulatory behaviors of residents at high-altitudes. Conducted in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at an altitude of 3255m, this study investigated the environmental regulatory behaviors, bedroom microclimate, and sleep quality of 355 local residents over the course of one week, and analyzed the influence of the behaviors on the bedroom environment and sleep quality. Results from 1462 nights of monitoring revealed that residents of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau prefer to sleep with doors or windows open in both winter and summer. Leaving the doors or windows open during summer led to a reduction in sleep time, rapid eye movement sleep and awakening time, which is the most prominent sleep issue at high-altitude, while in winter the percentage of deep sleep decreased with open doors or windows. The habit of humidification displayed a noticeable seasonal bias, with plateau residents being more inclined to adopt humidification measures in winter. Based on the results, this study recommends sleeping with doors or windows open without humidification in summer, while in the winter, humidification is necessary.

Assessment of regulatory ecosystem services of green plants in urban ecosystems

The article presents the results of research on the assessment of ecosystem services of green tree stands on the territory of the first academic campus of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy using the MyTree tool. It is a part of the i-Tree tool set developed by the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the comprehensive program, designed to assess the ecosystem services provided by individual trees or small groups of trees. Research has established that the most important regulatory services were carbon dioxide absorption, microclimate regulation, energy saving, air purification from ozone and sulfur dioxide. Calculations by the MyTree tool show the annual cost of tree planting services on campus and its projected cumulative growth after 20 years. According to the calculations of the MyTree tool, this year’s cost of tree plantation services of the first academic campus of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was $847.29, and according to forecasts, after 20 years it will cumulatively increase to $18,895.36. Estimates of the cost of individual components of regulatory ecosystem services are provided. The cumulative estimate over the next 20 years for CO2 sequestration was $4,129.15, which includes the sequestration of 21,963.55 kg of carbon. Air purification for 20 years is estimated at $1,342.66, which includes absorption and neutralization of 656.24 kg of O3, 117.47 kg of SO2, 54.45 kg of NO2, and 34.26 kg of solid dust particles PM2.5. Energy savings are estimated at $10,791.14, which includes energy savings of 100,448.21 kW. The tree species Aesculus hippocastanum (Bitter chestnut), Picea abies (European spruce), Picea pungens (Blue spruce), Betula pendula (Hanging birch) and Ulmus laevis (Smooth elm) provide the highest value of services. The results of this study can be used in the future to improve the planning and management of green areas of the university campus, taking into account the value of their ecosystem services.In general, the study confirmed the importance of monitoring and evaluating the ecosystem services of green spaces in urban ecosystems for making sustainable decisions regarding the development of urban areas, supporting the well-being and health of the population.

Optimizing green infrastructure strategies for microclimate regulation and air quality improvement in urban environments: A case study

With an increasing global urban population andassociated health concerns, understanding the effects of urban microclimate and air quality is crucial. This study aims to assess the influence of different types and locations of greenery, along with building heights and wind orientation, on urban canyon microclimate and air quality. Focusing on PM10, PM2.5, and NOx concentrations in a hot-arid district, the research employs simulation-based analysis. Results indicate that stepped buildings with green walls exhibit the highest temperature (18.02°C), while scenarios featuring two rows of deciduous trees showcase the lowest temperature (17.56°C) but higher pollution levels. Notably, scenarios lacking trees exhibit elevated temperatures. The study introduces a novel ventilation design pattern for effective air pollutant removal and proposes a scenario with extensive green coverage on streets, walls, and rooftops, incorporating appropriate planting techniques and plant selection. The findings offer valuable insights for urban designers and architects seeking to create more sustainable and environmentally friendly cities.

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.

Sustainable Urban Landscapes in Hot–Dry Regions: Climate-Adaptive Courtyards

In hot and arid environments, courtyards are essential architectural elements that significantly contribute to microclimate regulation and enhanced thermal comfort. Beyond providing protection against environmental severities, these spaces elevate the standards of livability and sustainability in urban design. The traditional landscape of Mardin, Turkey, exemplifying such challenges, takes center stage in this study, where courtyards hold a prominent role in architectural composition. Facilitated by the ENVI-met software, the evaluation process herein comprehensively analyzes four representative courtyard case studies in Mardin. Key parameters, including air temperature, humidity, predicted mean vote (PMV), and wind speed, are considered to gain a nuanced understanding of their thermal dynamics. The initial evaluation of existing conditions reveals varying thermal comfort levels, with higher PMV values indicating discomfort in the courtyards, underscoring the need for interventions to enhance their microclimate regulation and resilience to climate change challenges. This study aims to enhance our comprehension of the relationship between courtyards and microclimate regulation, particularly in hot–dry regions. By examining the design principles and passive strategies of courtyards, this research identifies effective approaches for optimizing courtyard design, aiming to create sustainable and comfortable living environments.

Disentangling soil-based ecosystem services synergies, trade-offs, multifunctionality, and bundles: A case study at regional scale (NE Italy) to support environmental planning

The explicit use of ecosystem services (ESs) assessments has been called as a way to guide environmental decision making, yet the promise of the ES approach lies behind its potential. A way to consolidate the approach could be to introduce some aspects into the ESs assessments which might have been neglected so far. Such aspects are mainly: (1) a focus on the complex ESs relations (such as synergies and trade-offs) that can impact the supply of multiple SESs (soil ecosystem services), and (2) focus on potential drivers of SESs relations. We applied bivariate and multivariate approaches to SESs indicators derived from a solid pedological knowledge of the Emilia-Romagna study area in NE Italy. We focused on 7 SES: (1) habitat for soil organisms, (2) filtering and buffering capacity, (3) contribution to microclimate regulation, (4) carbon sequestration, (5) food provision potential, (6) water regulation, and (7) water storage capacity. These SESs were estimated through a combination of point observations, and pedotransfer functions (PTF) estimates spatialised over the area of interest with geostatistical simulation techniques. We found that SESs bivariate spatial relations could be categorised mainly in three types of patterns at regional scale, either: (1) synergistic SESs relations dominating at the region level, (2) trade-offs dominating, or (3) both kind of relations more or less equally frequent. Interestingly, in some cases the dominant regional SESs relation switched at a local level, and such switch was driven by soil properties. For the multivariate case (>2 SESs), two main results are highlighted. First, the combination of properties of some soils is so characteristic that they conform a single SESs bundle, as in the case of the rich SOM soils of alluvial origin in the NE of the region with low agricultural productivity, but high value in regulating SESs. Secondly, some SESs such as potential food provision and water regulation are more important than others to determine locations with high multi-services value at a regional level. This suggests that attention must be paid when ascribing high multi-services value locations as this is not independent of SESs relations. Overall, our results highlight the importance of soils in the potential supply of ESs and show that SESs relations are useful in the implementation of the concept in environmental assessments.

Biodiversity of plants in suburban meadows to create urban lawns with wildflowers

The creation of natural lawns is a means of optimizing costs for maintaining green infrastructure in the city by including natural biodiversity in lawns, which will increase the stability of plant communities in lawns and the quality of ecosystem services. Purpose. Determine the predominant species of plant groups of natural phytocenoses, which are further appropriate for planting in semi-natural lawns to ensure the stability of territories.. Methods. The Ramensky method was employed to determine the quantitative composition of natural lawns in the study areas, while the Raunkiær classification was utilized to identify persistent and perennial plant species. Results. The geobotanical investigation enabled the identification of dominant species in the study areas, providing insights into the phytocoenological composition of natural lawns for the city of Kyiv. This served as the foundation for developing recommendations for a plant catalogue tailored to the creation of such lawns in Kyiv. The grass stand at Lysa Hora exhibited the highest stability, with a significant presence of native species. Adventitious species were less dominant in this area, likely due to their conditional pathogenicity. Conversely, Trukhaniv Island displayed dominance by typical species, albeit with the occasional presence of azonal species. Mount Shchekavytsia showed competition between azonal and typical species. Surveys of recreational areas, including Lysa Hora, Mount Shchekavytsia, and Trukhaniv Island, underscored the presence of native, azonal, and adventive species. The study identified common native hemicryptophytes, including filamentous fescue, grey fescue, and creeping wheatgrass. A developed plant catalogue is poised to enhance ecosystem regulation services, such as microclimate regulation, water and wind erosion control, biodiversity maintenance, and social services through increased territorial attractiveness. Conclusions. When creating a natural lawn, the best species are considered to be indigenous, which allows for the sustainability of plant communities. The study identified the following native species that will successfully complement lawn coverings in the city: gray and filamentous fescue, ground fescue, creeping thyme, green strawberry, field carnation, and oak sage. The recommendations can be applied in other cities of Ukraine with similar physical and geographical conditions.

Quantifying the massive depletion of heat storage capacity of Lake Urmia

The catastrophic drying of Lake Urmia, once the world’s second-largest saline lake, has led to the degradation of its vital ecosystem services, including microclimate regulation. This study investigates the variation of Lake Urmia’s heat storage, a key driver of its microclimate regulation function, from 2001 to 2020. We analyze Lake Urmia’s monthly energy and water balances considering the spatial variation of hydro-meteorological variables over the lake and explicitly accounting for lake salinity. We found that the heat storage capacity of Lake Urmia has exponentially depleted with its shrinkage. The NRMSE values of the proposed equations for Lake Urmia’s maximum and minimum heat storage were 0.24 and 0.20, respectively. As a potential consequence, the maximum air temperature over the lake has increased while the minimum temperature has remained constant. The reviled role of Lake Urmia’s heat storage capacity in hindering the maximum annual temperature of the area can provide valuable insights into the role of lake conservation in mitigating climate warming.

Why does the courtyard spaces of same ethnic group present diverse characteristics in different regions： evidence based on ENVI-met climate modeling

The rapid urbanization in developing countries like China has led to a heightened challenge of climate degradation and the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge worldwide. The widespread distribution of Yi traditional settlements across various climatic zones in southwest China offers a unique opportunity to investigate the diverse courtyard spaces within the same ethnic group, influenced by distinct climatic environments. Through comprehensive field investigation, meticulous field measurement, and rigorous ENVI-met simulation, this study conducts a comparative analysis of microclimates in Yi typical courtyards across diverse climatic conditions. The results show that: 1) Courtyard plays a pivotal role in regulating microclimate dynamics across cold, temperate, and hot climatic conditions. 2) The microclimate regulation mechanism of a courtyard varies across different climatic environments. 3) The climate regulation efficacy of courtyards will diminish as the climate environment undergoes changes. 4) The aspect ratio (AR) is a key spatial factor which plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency of regulating courtyard microclimate. Concluded this study, the research findings not only provide valuable guidance for the protection planning and design of traditional Yi settlements in southwest China, but also offer significant insights for courtyard construction in other regions with extreme climates worldwide. In addition, this study constructs a new research framework for traditional settlements, which is of great significance for scientifically and accurately identifying the spatial value of traditional settlements and improving the theoretical system of traditional settlement protection and activation.

The importance of private gardens and their spatial composition and configuration to urban heat island mitigation

Small Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI; green areas < 2 ha) represents the best opportunity to mitigate Urban Heat Island (UHI) and directly promote microclimate regulation. However, few studies investigate the cooling capacity (CC) of small UGI and how their spatial organization influences its provision. Here, we used an urban cooling model and landscape metrics to understand how UGI in public and private domains influences microclimate regulation in a dense urban region of Rio de Janeiro. Our findings highlight the significant correlation between private UGI and CC, explaining over 80 % of its variation. We found an interaction between UGI composition (i.e. the amount of UGI) and configuration (i.e. spatial distribution of UGI). Nevertheless, UGI configuration exerted the greatest influence with edge density being the most significant landscape metric, suggesting that, with an equivalent green area, patchwork or numerous smaller green areas enhance CC compared to fewer larger ones. This study underscores the pivotal role of private UGI organization in tropical and dense urban context, where public UGI is neglected. We conclude that UGI awareness initiatives must systematically pay attention to spatial configuration of the small UGI, aligning interventions with urban dwellers' needs in order to guarantee microclimate regulation provision.

A three-layer evapotranspiration model considering the vertical structure of urban green spaces

Urban green spaces with complex vertical vegetation structures typically have higher capacities for microclimate regulation. The vertical structure comprising "tree + shrub + soil" is a common feature in urban green spaces. The Penman–Monteith and Shuttleworth–Wallace models estimate the evapotranspiration (ET) from trees and soil only, but they do not account for the contribution of shrubs, thereby leading to underestimation of the ecosystem ET. We developed a three-layer model of the vertical structure comprising "tree + shrub + soil" in urban green spaces and its impacts on ecosystem ET. The three-layer model was validated based on data measurements, showing that the root mean square errors of latent heat flux for tree, shrub, and soil were 31.0 W·m–2, 21.3 W·m–2, and 19.1 W·m–2, respectively. The uncertainty of parameters can significantly affect the model’s performance when estimating ET and its components. Sensitivity analysis showed that meteorological parameters, bulk stomatal resistance, and soil surface resistance played important roles in ET estimation using the three-layer model, and these sensitivity coefficients were also influenced by the meteorological conditions and vegetation canopy structure. The three-layer model enhances our understanding of ET in urban green spaces, aiding in their management and planning.

The termitaria terminator: Can Actinobolus beetles affect the relationships between termitaria and related fauna in the Brazilian Cerrado?

AbstractTermites are key components of tropical ecosystems, particularly in the Cerrado biome, where they dominate animal biomass and play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and soil formation. Their abundance and nutritional value make them primary food sources for various Cerrado animals, influencing predator diversity and several ecological interactions. Additionally, termite mounds serve as essential shelters for a wide range of fauna, aiding in thermoregulation and providing refuge from harsh environmental conditions, including wildfires. In this scenario, termitaria survival, diversity, and availability have several effects on the Cerrado fauna ecology. We present novel insights into the interaction between Actinobolus beetles and epigeous termite mounds in the Cerrado. Our field observations revealed Actinobolus beetles utilizing termite mounds for feeding and reproduction in several localities of Cerrado. These beetles access the inner portion of the termitaria, where the colony nest is located and protected by the termitaria's harder external layer and their larvae consume the termite nest structure. Actinobolus attack leads to partial or complete destruction of the colony and the creation of large hollows inside the mounds, causing deep changes in its structure. Despite the defensive mechanisms of termites, Actinobolus larvae thrive within the nest and likely ingest termites’ eggs, nymphae and adults. Furthermore, we found that the Actinobolus capsule are made of faecal pellets, instead of termitaria debris. We suggest that the interaction between Actinobolus beetles and epigeous termitaria impacts the role of termitaria in providing microclimate regulation, food and shelter for Cerrado fauna, likely having poorly understood effects on the conservation and management of Cerrado ecosystems.

ОЦЕНКА ТЕПЛОВОГО КОМФОРТА ДЕТЕЙ В ЖИЛЫХ И ОБЩЕСТВЕННЫХ ЗДАНИЯХ

In calculating children's thermal comfort, it is important to consider internal heat emissions, one of the main sources of which are the children themselves (heat exchange with the body surface, breathing, sweating). The accuracy of the calculation is influenced by their number, nature and intensity of activity, age, gender, and other parameters. Most regulatory documents base heat input calculations on a person with the following parameters: male, 20-30 years old, 70 kg, living in a temperate climate. This approach does not account for the physiological and age-specific characteristics of different age groups. The paper examines and refines the physiological parameters of children and uses models to numerically reflect the level of thermal comfort in a room. A calculation method is proposed that uses refined physiological parameters of children and evaluates thermal sensation of the indoor microclimate through the determination of Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD). Calculations of several microclimatic regimes were carried out, assessing the state of children of different ages and physical activity levels within the considered microclimate parameters. Analyzing the obtained data led to the conclusion that assessing human comfort using refined energy expenditures allows for a more flexible consideration of the thermal states of children in specific age groups. This enables higher quality regulation of the indoor microclimate of a specific room considering the examined factors.

Quantifying the impacts of green roof design factors on microclimate regulation: A case study in Washington, D.C.

This study explores and quantifies the impacts of green roofs (GR) design factors on microclimate regulation. Against rapid urbanization and intensifying climate changes, green infrastructure has received increasing attention due to its contribution to dealing with the urban heat islands effect (UHIE) and increasing urban sustainability. GR is one example of green infrastructure and is widely used in cities. However, its microclimate regulation benefits have not been thoroughly explored and require more exploration. There are insufficient studies on quantifying GR design factors impacts on microclimate regulation. Meanwhile, little research has explored the impact of regulating microclimate when accessibility is considered as a design factor. Using a GR in Washington, D.C., as a case study, this study models 14 roof scenarios with several common GR design factors, generates their simulated microclimate patterns, and quantifies each design factors impact based on statistical analyses. Results present quantitative data on how studied design factors change microclimate patterns and find that accessibility does affect some microclimate aspects but only to a limited rate. This study provides suggestions and insights to optimize GR design guidelines. Overall, this study contributes to the refinement of GR research, promotes better GR design, and responds to urbanization and climate issues.

Using Importance–Performance Analysis to Reveal Priorities for Multifunctional Landscape Optimization in Urban Parks

In the context of urban renewal, residents have presented elevated expectations for the quality of urban parks, necessitating the optimization of parks’ multifunctional landscapes. Transforming residents’ preferences for landscape services into a prioritized index for multifunctional landscape renewal poses a significant challenge. This study addresses this research gap by integrating importance–performance analysis (IPA) with residents’ perception evaluations of landscape services. We establish an index system to evaluate perceptions of urban park landscape services. By employing the importance–performance analysis framework, we identify landscape service types that exhibit high importance but low satisfaction levels, thereby establishing priorities for multifunctional landscape renewal. Using Guangzhou’s urban parks as a case study, our findings reveal variations in users’ demands for different landscape services and differences in demand among various user groups for similar services. Users assign utmost importance to safety services while expressing the highest satisfaction with physical and mental health or microclimate regulation services. Significant disparities exist between middle-aged/elderly groups and young people regarding perceptions of social interaction, waste disposal, and sense of belonging services. Our results demonstrate that IPA analysis can elucidate priorities for multifunctional landscape renewal, facilitate public participation in improving urban park landscapes, and provide decision-making support for optimizing these landscapes.

Empirical assessments of small-scale ecosystem service flows in rural mosaic landscapes in the Ethiopian highlands

Human activities have rapidly altered natural ecosystems worldwide, resulting in fragmented ecosystems that are either culturally or formally protected. These ecosystem patches can be critical for ecosystem services (ES) that support human well-being. In the Ethiopian highlands, the remaining church forests and wetlands have a unique conservation status and are part of the global priority areas for biodiversity conservation. ES flows from these ecosystems to surrounding benefiting areas lack local-scale field evidence data and are not well-understood. Here, we empirically quantify the distance-dependent flows for four ES: grass biomass, microclimate regulation, crop pollination, and soil erosion retention since they exhibit considerable variation in spatial scales and processes of ES flows. The effect of spatial distance on each ES benefit flow was analysed using spatially explicit empirical models. The key findings are as follows: (1) The benefit of ES varies significantly with distance to the source ecosystems. (2) ES supply is determined by the extent (fragmentation) and condition of ecosystems, together with ecosystem type. (3) The quantity and number of ES provided decreases with distance from the source, and beneficiaries up to 3 km of the source only receive one type of ES (grass biomass). Approximately 80 % of the benefiting areas are within a radius of 200 m from forests and wetlands. Bundles of multiple ES types are received at the frontiers of service-providing ecosystems, where number of benefits are compared at particular locations from the source point. The investigated ecosystems (440 km2) provided benefits to 8,770 km2 for the four types of ES. Our findings imply that non-linear effects of key ecosystem variables need to be considered when mapping the distance-dependent ES flows. This study helps to understand the spatial connectivity between ecosystems and beneficiaries in the human-nature interdependency, which is useful for developing different strategies for ES conservation.

Shade tree trait diversity and functions in agroforestry systems: A review of which traits matter

Abstract Shade trees in agroforestry systems confer ecosystem services, such as enhanced soil fertility from diverse litter inputs, microclimate regulation via shade, and disease mitigation through trophic and abiotic interactions. With this thriving role of agroforestry in sustainable agriculture, particularly for tree crops, systematic and reliable methods to select shade trees for specific agroecosystem outcomes are crucial. Plant functional traits offer a framework to describe, select and manage shade trees. Over the last decade, shade tree leaf functional traits and whole plant traits have been assessed in agroforestry systems. Yet, we lack amalgamated information on (i) what we know about shade tree trait relationships with functions to achieve desired agroecosystem outcomes, (ii) how decades of shade tree selection by farmers impacts agroforests inter‐ and intraspecific trait diversity, and (iii) which shade tree traits should be considered for achieving farmer priorities. We consolidate literature on Coffea arabica (coffee) and Theobroma cacao (cocoa) agroforestry systems to summarize the role of shade tree functional traits in three key ecosystem functions: soil fertility, microclimate modification and crop productivity. We compile global and regional datasets on tree functional trait diversity to show the functional space of agroforestry tree species compared with the overall functional space observed in plants. Despite, or maybe because of, high shade tree diversity, shade tree trait characterization remains coarse and commonly measured at the community scale in the literature. Based on published trait data, we show that farmers adjust the functional composition of shade trees to increase the recycling of soil nutrients (high leaf nitrogen), the production of wood (skewing towards lower wood densities) and the production of fruits (tendency towards high seed size). Common shade trees in coffee and cocoa systems fall in the mid‐range of leaf acquisitive to conservative strategies, providing evidence that expanding shade tree portfolios can improve, or even accelerate, functions. Synthesis and applications: Based on the agroforestry literature and on trait‐environment relationships, we propose a matrix of shade tree traits that influence desirable agroecosystem outcomes for farmers, which can guide fine‐scale coordination of trait expression and agroforestry functions.