Nearby Natural Areas Research Articles

Urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil ecosystem services

Greenspaces are important for sustaining healthy urban environments and their human populations. Yet their capacity to support multiple ecosystem services simultaneously (multiservices) compared with nearby natural ecosystems remains virtually unknown. We conducted a global field survey in 56 urban areas to investigate the influence of urban greenspaces on 23 soil and plant attributes and compared them with nearby natural environments. We show that, in general, urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil multiservices, with only six of 23 attributes (available phosphorus, water holding capacity, water respiration, plant cover, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and arachnid richness) significantly greater in greenspaces, and one (available ammonium) greater in natural areas. Further analyses showed that, although natural areas and urban greenspaces delivered a similar number of services at low (>25% threshold) and moderate (>50%) levels of functioning, natural systems supported significantly more functions at high (>75%) levels of functioning. Management practices (mowing) played an important role in explaining urban ecosystem services, but there were no effects of fertilisation or irrigation. Some services declined with increasing site size, for both greenspaces and natural areas. Our work highlights the fact that urban greenspaces are more similar to natural environments than previously reported and underscores the importance of managing urban greenspaces not only for their social and recreational values, but for supporting multiple ecosystem services on which soils and human well-being depends.

Does soil matter?

There has been a serious increase in solar energy installations in Hungary recently. The majority (98.6%) of the installations were done as greenfield investments. Due to the nature of technological intervention in the agricultural landscapes, some of the results of these investments were the disturbance of the environment (soil and water), change of landscape (and its values), and reduction in the biodiversity of these areas. Due to the increase of land use and land cover change, especially towards soil sealing or reduced availability, it should be important to maintain or improve the role of such places as habitats, besides producing the equally important renewable energy forms. Solar parks on former greenfield areas cover a significant amount of soil surface, and there are tremendous works related to soil resources, their soils are changed during the investment and thus soil properties influence their biodiversity management plan. An important step in habitat development is revegetation. While planting valuable plants for improvement of the biodiversity, it is also important to adapt the plans to the environment of the solar parks, and also, to its technical parameters. In the recent study, soil samplings were done close to the disturbed area and in a nearby natural area. Soil properties were measured by a Near Infrared device. Soil organic matter and N-content resulted in differences between the examined sites. The deviation of soil properties proved the importance of soil investigation in this case as revegetation requires knowledge on soil to find the proper plant species for the soils on-site.

Do urban habitats induce physiological changes in Mediterranean lizards?

AbstractUrban environments offer dramatically different habitats for wildlife compared with natural environments. They provide, for example, different levels of resource availability, anthropogenic night light, and microclimates (e.g., urban heat islands). For reptiles, increased temperatures in the city can lead to increased energetic demands and metabolic rates unless they change their morphology and physiology and adapt or acclimatize to the urban conditions. We explored differences in metabolic rate, evaporative water loss, and body size of two lizard species – rock agamas (Laudakia vulgaris) and Mediterranean house geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus), from urban habitats and nearby natural open areas. When tested in the lab, we expected to identify physiological adaptations resulting in decreased metabolism in urban individuals. Both species had similar body lengths and masses at both habitat types, suggesting any differences in costs and benefits between urban and natural environments do not affect their overall size or body condition. In the laboratory, metabolic rates were similar in individuals from both habitats for both species, indicating no long‐term adaptations in this trait. However, urban geckos (but not agamas) had higher evaporative water loss than conspecifics from more natural habitats. This may suggest different compositions of epidermal lipids affecting the gecko skin's resistance to evaporation between the habitats. Overall, our results highlight different elements of the urban environment that might affect reptiles. However, the differences between species urge caution in interpreting the results to other species and locations. With increasing urbanization worldwide, understanding when and to what degree local adaptations can occur can help us predict reptile species distribution and survival in light of future anthropogenic changes.

Soil contamination in nearby natural areas mirrors that in urban greenspaces worldwide

Soil contamination is one of the main threats to ecosystem health and sustainability. Yet little is known about the extent to which soil contaminants differ between urban greenspaces and natural ecosystems. Here we show that urban greenspaces and adjacent natural areas (i.e., natural/semi-natural ecosystems) shared similar levels of multiple soil contaminants (metal(loid)s, pesticides, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes) across the globe. We reveal that human influence explained many forms of soil contamination worldwide. Socio-economic factors were integral to explaining the occurrence of soil contaminants worldwide. We further show that increased levels of multiple soil contaminants were linked with changes in microbial traits including genes associated with environmental stress resistance, nutrient cycling, and pathogenesis. Taken together, our work demonstrates that human-driven soil contamination in nearby natural areas mirrors that in urban greenspaces globally, and highlights that soil contaminants have the potential to cause dire consequences for ecosystem sustainability and human wellbeing.

The impact of recreational use and access on biotic and abiotic disturbances on areas protected by local communities and a state conservation agency

Local communities often conserve nearby natural areas to support recreational activities and other benefits these areas provide. Areas protected by local communities could contribute to wider efforts to achieve large-scale conservation goals, such as biodiversity protection, provided the ecological conditions on-site are compatible with achieving these goals. To explore the potential contribution of locally established protected areas, we focus on areas protected by local communities in California, USA, using ballot initiatives, a form of direct democracy. We compare the ecological condition of wooded habitat on protected areas funded by local communities through the ballot box to that of similar habitats on protected areas funded by a state conservation agency. As an indicator of ecological condition, we focus on coverage by exotic plant species. We examine whether protected area characteristics or aspects of human-mediated onsite disturbance related to recreational use explain exotic plant cover found on each type of protected area. Exotic plant cover did not differ between areas protected by local communities and those protected by our larger scale conservation actor. Instead, elevation was the best predictor of exotic plant cover. Our results suggest protected areas established by local communities may be in no worse a condition than those established by a state public agency and warrant inclusion when tracking progress towards large-scale conservation goals for protected areas.

High Conservation Value of an Urban Population of a State-Endangered Turtle

Although reports of urban populations of amphibians and reptiles are increasingly common, the viability of such populations and information on threats to their continued existence remain less well known. From 2010–2018, we studied the nesting ecology of the imperiled Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) in an urbanized area in northeastern Maryland, USA. Mark-recapture data showed an estimated population size of 32 females with an annual survival of 89%. Females nested in highly altered areas such as flower gardens, along railroad rights-of-way, and along fence lines, but nest survival was much higher than in nearby natural areas, mainly due to very low predation rates from Raccoons. However, nesting females were subject to considerable disturbance from vehicle and foot traffic while nesting. To alleviate disturbance, we partnered with the town to construct a wildlife exclusion fence designed to isolate nesting Map Turtles from human disturbance. Due to the high annual survival of nests, this urban population may be important in the overall viability of Northern Map Turtles in this area.

Parasitoid Wasp Community Dynamics in Vineyards Following Insecticide Application

In order to integrate parasitoid wasps in agroecosystems as biological control agents, we need to understand how insecticides affect the parasitoids in the crops and their surroundings. We investigated the non-target effect of Indoxacarb, an insecticide commonly used against European grapevine moth, on parasitoid wasp communities in vineyards. We focused on characterizing: 1. The dynamics of common wasp species, and 2. Wasp abundance and species richness in the vineyard center, edge, and nearby natural area. Seven vineyards, with neighboring natural areas, were sampled before, and up to 2 weeks after, Indoxacarb applications over 2 years. We expected initial negative effects of spraying in the vineyard with some effect of Indoxacarb drift into the natural habitat, followed by wasp recovery, first in natural areas, then at the vineyard edge and finally in the center. Sticky traps were hung at the vineyard edge and center to evaluate migration into and out of the vineyard. Vacuum sampling was used to obtain parasitoid total abundance and species richness, and the abundances of four common species (43% of the wasps collected). From the vacuum samples we found that total wasp abundance and richness declined after spraying in the vineyards’ margins and center but rose over time in the natural area. Vineyard wasp abundance was restored to pre-spraying levels within 2 weeks. Among the abundant species, Trichogramma sp. and Telenomus sp., which parasitize lepidopteran hosts, declined after spraying, and Trichogramma sp. recovered more quickly than Telenomus sp. Two other abundant species, Lymaenon litoralis and Oligosita sp., did not decline after spraying. In the sticky traps, wasp abundance increased at the vineyard edge but not center after spraying, suggesting that there was migration of wasps at the vineyard edge, into or out of the crop. The results indicate an effect of Indoxacarb on the parasitoid wasp community, particularly on parasitoids of lepidopterans, the target group of Indoxacarb. The results also indicate a potential for recovery of the parasitoid community through migration from neighboring natural vegetation.

Soil quality index for assessing phosphate mining restoration in a hyper-arid environment

Mining contributes significantly to economic development, but it also entails extensive environmental damage, such as soil degradation and water and air pollution. Mining activity impacts the soil quality, often making it unable to support ecosystem function and structure. The current study aims to apply the soil quality index (SQI) as a methodology for quantifying soil restoration status in an open-pit phosphate mine in Israel’s hyper-arid environment. In this regard, we evaluated an ecological restoration practice that includes topsoil refilling compared to the adjacent undisturbed natural system, using transformed and standardized scorings of 11 physical, biological, and chemical soil properties that were further statistically integrated into overall SQI values. Our results revealed significant differences between the restoration practice areas and the nearby natural areas, with a higher soil quality value in the latter. It is proposed that the topsoil restoration method is mainly affected by soil biological indicators, such as soil organic matter, soil proteins, and polysaccharides related to micro-organic growth, and in a lesser extent, by physical properties (primarily infiltration rate, followed by AWC). The former properties encourage the biocrust establishment, which is essential for soil surface stabilization and affects the water infiltration rate and nutrient availability. The chemical indicators showed no significant differences between most of the sites for the overall soil quality. In conclusion, soil properties, primarily physio-biological ones, should be selected to quantify and evaluate restoration practices in hyper-arid ecosystems.

Diversity of beetles (Coleoptera) in natural and planted saxaul forests (Haloxylon ammodendron) in the South Gobi Desert, Mongolia.

We investigated species composition and diversity parameters of beetle communities in two planted saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron, black saxaul) forests in Southern Mongolia. We also studied nearby natural areas for comparison. Beetles were mainly collected by pitfall traps. 1064 individuals of 38 species of 22 genera in 4 beetle families were identified from planted plots. In comparison, a total of 1395 beetles belonging to 40 species of 24 genera in seven families were collected and identified from the natural saxaul plots. The most diverse beetle families were darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae, 18 species) and snout beetles (Curculionidae, 15 species) in planted and natural saxaul plots. We recorded several species (Apatophysis serricornis, Cephogenia chinensis, and Eumylada punctifera punctifera) which are associated with the saxaul tree. A darkling beetle, Anatolica potanini, was the dominant species in both natural and planted plots of the Nariin Zag forest. There were significant differences in the species richness and abundance between the planted and natural plots of the Ukhaa Zag forest. It is possible that the age of the plantation drove the differences. The higher values of diversity indices and species richness in the planted plots can be explained by the presence of rare species, represented by only one or two individuals. The planted plots and corresponding natural plots within each forest were more similar to each other in species composition and abundance than between forests.

Thermal Tolerance of Gloomy Scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in the Eastern United States

An insect species' geographic distribution is probably delimited in part by physiological tolerances of environmental temperatures. Gloomy scale (Melanaspis tenebricosa (Comstock)) is a native insect herbivore in eastern U.S. forests. In eastern U.S. cities, where temperatures are warmer than nearby natural areas, M. tenebricosa is a primary pest of red maple (Acer rubrum L.; Sapindales: Sapindaceae) With warming, M. tenebricosa may spread to new cities or become pestilent in forests. To better understand current and future M. tenebricosa distribution boundaries, we examined M. tenebricosa thermal tolerance under laboratory conditions. We selected five hot and five cold experimental temperatures representative of locations in the known M. tenebricosa distribution. We built models to predict scale mortality based on duration of exposure to warm or cold experimental temperatures. We then used these models to estimate upper and lower lethal durations, i.e., temperature exposure durations that result in 50% mortality. We tested the thermal tolerance for M. tenebricosa populations from northern, mid, and southern locations of the species' known distribution. Scales were more heat and cold tolerant of temperatures representative of the midlatitudes of their distribution where their densities are the greatest. Moreover, the scale population from the northern distribution boundary could tolerate cold temperatures from the northern boundary for twice as long as the population collected near the southern boundary. Our results suggest that as the climate warms the M. tenebricosa distribution may expand poleward, but experience a contraction at its southern boundary.

First Records of Established Populations of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Collected From Three Nebraska Counties

Reported cases of Lyme disease in Nebraska have been assumed to be imported from other endemic areas. Previous surveillance efforts provided no evidence of established populations as only individual specimens of Ixodes scapularis (Say) had been collected. In the winter of 2018, adult I. scapularis were found on a dog at Two Rivers State Recreation Area, Douglas County, prompting tick collection at the site and nearby natural areas. In May 2019, all life stages of host-seeking I. scapularis were collected using dragging and flagging techniques in sites located near the Platte River in Douglas, Sarpy, and Saunders counties. This is the first documentation of established populations of I. scapularis in Nebraska.

Abatement of ammonia emissions from livestock housing fine-tuned according to impact on protected habitats

Livestock farms are an important source of ammonia emissions, which threaten vulnerable habitats and species in nearby natural areas through a process of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. An integrated and spatially-explicit mixed integer programming model was applied to all livestock facilities in Flanders (Belgium), to evaluate the current Flemish policies aimed at limiting ammonia deposition in Natura 2000 sites. The simulations indicate that a substantial reduction in deposition is achievable with a similar cost to the currently applied policy in Flanders. Furthermore, the model allows identification of the most suitable stable type and emission abatement measures for any stable in Flanders. Such a spatially-explicit optimization approach applied to individual emission sources might assist policymakers in improving spatially-differentiated policies.

Wild bumble bee foraging preferences and fat content in highbush blueberry agro-ecosystems

Agricultural intensification can impact the availability and quality of resources. We analyzed resource use by bumble bees (Bombus spp.), important pollinators of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), collected from conventional highbush blueberry farms, organic highbush blueberry farms, and nearby natural areas in the lower Fraser River valley of British Columbia, Canada. We identified corbicular pollen and measured bee fat content as an indicator of body condition. Bumble bees use non-crop resources, including pollen from plant species not found on farms. Bees from natural areas had higher pollen protein content in corbicular pollen and higher body fat content than those from conventional and organic farms. There was no difference between farm types, and we could not demonstrate a relationship between pollen protein and bee fat content. Our findings illustrate the importance of resource availability throughout agro-ecological landscapes, including not only farms but also off-farm areas.

Urban tree pests and natural enemies respond to habitat at different spatial scales

AbstractTrees provide many ecosystem services in our urban environments. However, city trees are often stressed by pests that are typically higher than those in nearby natural areas. Our research highlights a potential mismatch in scale between the habitat elements that affect the densities of pests and their natural enemies on city trees. We tested a well-known ecological concept, the enemies hypothesis, in the city, where relationships of pests and their enemies have not been thoroughly studied. To test our hypothesis that natural enemies and aphid predation services on urban trees increase with more local structural complexity around trees, we collected data on crape myrtle trees on NC State University’s campus from 2016 to 2017. We measured local structural complexity of vegetation around study trees, quantified impervious cover among other urban habitat elements, collected crape myrtle aphids (Tinocallis kahawaluokalani) and their natural enemies on trees, and performed predation experiments. We found that aphid abundance was positively correlated with more impervious cover within 100 m of crape myrtle trees. Alternatively, greater local structural complexity within the 10 × 10 m area around crape myrtles correlated with a higher abundance of natural enemies. Aphid predation was mostly predicted by local structural complexity and impervious cover within 20 m of crape myrtle trees. Together, these findings suggest that although the impervious nature of our cities may mean higher densities of some pests, local landscapes around trees can play an important role in maintaining natural enemies and predation services that help regulate pest populations.

The Making of a Conservationist

Published accounts of the work of J.R. Dymond, a zoology professor at the University of Toronto, director of the Royal Ontario Museum, and a significant force for conservation in Ontario emphasize his contributions to the natural history movement, and his influence on scientific research and the protection of natural areas in provincial parks. Relatively little attention has been paid to his early life and the local environments that shaped his views of nature. This article uses the concept of “place” to explain how Dymond became a conservationist. His experiences in specific locations—a product of social relations and the landscapes themselves—gave those places meaning and shaped his values. Such environments included the family farm and surrounding countryside in southwestern Ontario’s Metcalfe Township, Strathroy Collegiate Institute, the University of Toronto and nearby natural areas, places in Ottawa, and various lakes in B.C. and Ontario.

Running bamboo species pose a greater invasion risk than clumping bamboo species in the continental United States

Bamboo species have been promoted for utility in both biomass and pulp production because of their high productivity. However, some bamboo species are known to be problematic invaders. Our goal was to use a weed risk assessment (WRA) tool to evaluate and compare invasion risk of non-native running and clumping bamboo species, many of which are under consideration as paper pulp and bioenergy crops in the continental United States. WRAs were conducted for 18 running and 29 clumping bamboo species using a version of the Australian WRA modified for the U.S. We tested for differences in scores and the number of questions answered for clumping and running species, the relationship between the WRA score and the number of questions answered, and the questions that differentiated low and high-risk species. Overall, we found that running bamboo species present a significantly higher invasion risk than clumping species. Only one running bamboo species (Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda) was identified as low risk and one clumping species (Bambusa bambos) was high risk for invasion. History of invasiveness elsewhere, the ability to form dense thickets, and unintentional dispersal of viable rhizome pieces were associated with significantly greater predicted risk. Commercial applications of bamboo should focus on the use of low invasion risk clumping bamboo species to reduce the risk of escape and colonization of nearby natural areas. Further, bamboo-specific best management practices (BMPs) should be implemented to reduce the probability of invasion for species used in commercial production.

NO EVIDENCE OF INFECTION OR EXPOSURE TO HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZAS IN PERIDOMESTIC WILDLIFE ON AN AFFECTED POULTRY FACILITY.

We evaluated the potential transmission of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in wildlife species in three settings in association with an outbreak at a poultry facility: 1) small birds and small mammals on a poultry facility that was affected with highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV) in April 2015; 2) small birds and small mammals on a nearby poultry facility that was unaffected by HPAIV; and 3) small birds, small mammals, and waterfowl in a nearby natural area. We live-captured small birds and small mammals and collected samples from hunter-harvested waterfowl to test for active viral shedding and evidence of exposure (serum antibody) to AIV and the H5N2 HPAIV that affected the poultry facility. We detected no evidence of shedding or specific antibody to AIV in small mammals and small birds 5 mo after depopulation of the poultry. We detected viral shedding and exposure to AIV in waterfowl and estimated approximately 15% viral shedding and 60% antibody prevalence. In waterfowl, we did not detect shedding or exposure to the HPAIV that affected the poultry facility. We also conducted camera trapping around poultry carcass depopulation composting barns and found regular visitation by four species of medium-sized mammals. We provide preliminary data suggesting that peridomestic wildlife were not an important factor in the transmission of AIV during the poultry outbreak, nor did small birds and mammals in natural wetland settings show wide evidence of AIV shedding or exposure, despite the opportunity for exposure.

Interspecific variation in the relationship between clutch size, laying date and intensity of urbanization in four species of hole-nesting birds.

The increase in size of human populations in urban and agricultural areas has resulted in considerable habitat conversion globally. Such anthropogenic areas have specific environmental characteristics, which influence the physiology, life history, and population dynamics of plants and animals. For example, the date of bud burst is advanced in urban compared to nearby natural areas. In some birds, breeding success is determined by synchrony between timing of breeding and peak food abundance. Pertinently, caterpillars are an important food source for the nestlings of many bird species, and their abundance is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and date of bud burst. Higher temperatures and advanced date of bud burst in urban areas could advance peak caterpillar abundance and thus affect breeding phenology of birds. In order to test whether laying date advance and clutch sizes decrease with the intensity of urbanization, we analyzed the timing of breeding and clutch size in relation to intensity of urbanization as a measure of human impact in 199 nest box plots across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East (i.e., the Western Palearctic) for four species of hole‐nesters: blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), great tits (Parus major), collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). Meanwhile, we estimated the intensity of urbanization as the density of buildings surrounding study plots measured on orthophotographs. For the four study species, the intensity of urbanization was not correlated with laying date. Clutch size in blue and great tits does not seem affected by the intensity of urbanization, while in collared and pied flycatchers it decreased with increasing intensity of urbanization. This is the first large‐scale study showing a species‐specific major correlation between intensity of urbanization and the ecology of breeding. The underlying mechanisms for the relationships between life history and urbanization remain to be determined. We propose that effects of food abundance or quality, temperature, noise, pollution, or disturbance by humans may on their own or in combination affect laying date and/or clutch size.

Placemaking with Culture and Nature on Chicago's South Lakefront

M everywhere are adapting to changes in the ways publics view the place of these institutions in their social landscape. No longer do museums tend to stand solely as temples of rarified knowledge or art that visitors are invited to encounter through experiences with objects interpreted by academic scholars. Increasingly, museums are being challenged to co-curate exhibitions with members of communities that have expertise related to the materials or information on display. Many museums are also being called to more directly engage with pressing contemporary challenges at the global and local scale. Anthropologists have an important role to play in ensuring that museums critique and improve representational practices and also have an impact in the world beyond their walls. In the Science Action Center of the Field Museum, my work has primarily focused on the world immediately outside our walls—the Chicago communities that are the institution’s nearest neighbors and the lakefront green space that runs south from the museum campus as well as east to Northerly Island. Our main objective is to deepen connections between residents of nearby neighborhoods and lakefront natural areas as well as the resources of the Field Museum. Historically, both physical (railroads, highway) and social (segregation) barriers have limited access to Chicago’s south lakefront for the Black, Latino, and Chinese-American communities adjacent to this public space. Visitorship to the museum, relatedly, does not reflect the demographics of our ethnically diverse city. Drawing from over a decade of ethnographic research and relationship building in these communities, our team of anthropologists and ecologists is leading a collaborative process aimed at creating features in this landscape and institution that more Chicagoans identify with. An example of our action research approach is a project that will bring PLACEMAKING WITH CULTURE AND NATURE ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH LAKEFRONT

Recreation changes the use of a wild landscape by corvids

ABSTRACT As urban areas have grown in population, use of nearby natural areas for outdoor recreation has also increased, potentially influencing bird distribution in landscapes managed for conservation. Members of the family Corvidae (crows, ravens, jays, and magpies) have strong interactions with humans and may be directly affected by recreation in wild landscapes. In Mount Rainier National Park, we evaluated the effects of vegetation, visitor use, and the availability of human-subsidized food on the use of landscape features by 4 corvid species: Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis), Common Raven (Corvus corax), and Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana). We conducted >1,400 point counts across areas that varied in habitat and in the degree of human recreational impact. We calculated predicted occupancy values while allowing for variation in detection probability. In addition to species-specific suites of vegetation and landscape variables, we found that patterns of hu...