UK Gardens Research Articles

Emerging themes in the Identifying Successful STARTS Methodologies project and exhibition

In 2019 a team of multi-disciplinary researchers undertook a research project entitled Identifying Successful STARTS Methodologies (ISSM) (2019-2021) in order to analyze the innovative and collaborative strategies utilized by the global Science, Technology and Arts (STARTS) Prize Winners and nominees. The aim was to identify and articulate successful STARTS Methodologies through a series of interviews and in-depth case studies of the recognized projects. The project culminated in a series of case studies and an exhibition at the Made in Wolves Gallery at the University of Wolverhampton, UK, and further presented at the UK Garden of Earthly Delights at Ars Electronica in 2020. The project identified three emerging themes: the significance of building a new language of art and science through a third space, the process of anti-disciplinarity as an emergent form of practice, and the importance of different ways of knowing through art and science. A number of the case studies and themes are presented here alongside images from the exhibition.

Sown mini-meadows increase pollinator diversity in gardens

Habitat loss and fragmentation are considered the foremost threats in pollinator decline, and in England and Wales, 97% of wildflower meadows were lost by 1984. The value of creating flower-rich margins in agricultural environments is established, yet there is growing potential to support pollinator populations in urban landscapes. We used citizen science to investigate the effectiveness of small 4m2 sown wildflower ‘mini-meadows’ in UK gardens and allotments in recruiting beneficial insects. Participants were allocated one of three treatment groups: Mix 1 (commercially available ‘meadow mix’); Mix 2 (formulated based on existing literature on pollinator foraging preferences); or Control (no additional wildflowers). All participants conducted insect sampling over two years using standardised pan and sticky trap methods May–August. Samples were returned for identification by trained specialists. Mini-meadows provided resource-rich habitats, increasing wild bee richness and supporting on average 111% more bumblebees, 87% more solitary bees and 85% more solitary wasps in the year following seed-sowing, compared to Control plots. The wildflower mixes were also taxon-specific in their attractiveness. Mix 1 attracted more solitary bees and bumblebees, whereas Mix 2 attracted more solitary wasps. There was no significant difference in the abundance of hoverflies between treatments. Higher abundance of solitary wasps and bees caught amongst the mini-meadow was perhaps due to shorter foraging ranges.Implications for insect conservationDomestic gardens and allotments provide huge potential habitat for pollinators, and small-scale floral enhancements can attract more beneficial insects in fragmented urban landscapes, supporting urban biodiversity, pollination services and biological control.

Killing with kindness: Does widespread generalised provisioning of wildlife help or hinder biodiversity conservation efforts?

Provisioning of wildlife with food, water and breeding sites is a globally ubiquitous phenomenon. While some provisioning is targeted at single species of conservation concern, generalised provisioning is more common and can exceed the local availability of natural resources for recipient taxa. Generalised provisioning is enthusiastically promoted by many conservation organisations as a means to foster connection with nature and help wildlife. However, such a vast input of additional resources into the environment must have diverse, ecosystem-wide consequences. Direct effects upon recipient taxa have garnered most research interest, and are generally positive in leading to increased survival, productivity and hence population growth. However, we argue that the wider implications for the recipients' non-provisioned competitors, prey and predators are underappreciated and have the potential to generate pervasive negative impacts for biodiversity. The impact of provisioning has also hitherto been considered predominantly in urban contexts, overlooking the movements of wildlife to and from provisioning sources and the widespread nature of both human settlements and provisioning, underappreciating the potential scale of impact. Using a case study of UK garden bird food and nestbox provisioning, we hypothesise how well-intentioned provisioning could be contributing to widespread ecological community change and homogenisation. This may consequently help drive declines in species of conservation concern by asymmetrically benefitting common and adaptable species, leaving their competitors exposed to enhanced direct competition, hyperpredation, mesopredator release and heightened disease transmission risks. We recommend further research into these ecosystem cascades and a more cautious, evidence-based approach to the encouragement of provisioning wildlife.

Mapping Collaborative Practice, Ars Electronica Kepler Gardens, Garden of Earthly Delights (UK Garden), online. Part of STARTS Day, 9 September 2020

Mapping Collaborative Practice, Ars Electronica Kepler Gardens, Garden of Earthly Delights (UK Garden), online. Part of STARTS Day, 9 September 2020

First record of Septoria rudbeckiae on Rudbeckia in the United Kingdom

Species of Rudbeckia, often known as black-eyed Susan or coneflower, are used as bedding plants in UK gardens. The large, daisy-like flowerheads typically have bright yellow petals and a conspicuous black centre which may be raised into a cone shape. During the summer of 2016, Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii cv. Goldsturm plants, purchased in the preceding May from a nursery in south-east England, were observed with black leaf spots in outdoor beds at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Garden Wisley. Lower leaves exhibited small black lesions in July, which coalesced as the season progressed leading to complete necrosis of the bottom leaves and spotting on higher leaves. Spots showed no halos and became necrotic only later in the season. Flowering did not appear to be reduced. Pycnidia within the leaf spots were epiphyllous, 50-75 μm diameter, with a neck protruding slightly above the leaf surface. Conidia were filiform, 30-60 times 1.5-2 μm, with three septa. A single-spore isolate was obtained on water agar and cultured on potato dextrose agar. Living cultures were deposited in the RHS culture collection held at RHS Garden Wisley (Accession No. RHS454672) and at Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Netherlands (Accession No. CBS145765). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, the β-tubulin (Btub) gene and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1) gene were amplified using the primers ITS4:ITS5, T1:B-Sandy-R, and EF1-728F:EF2, respectively, according to the method by Verkley et al. (5). The DNA amplicons were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. MN093336 (ITS), MN105980 (Btub) and MN166626 (EF1)). The ITS sequence differed by one base pair from the only ITS sequence available for Septoria rudbeckiae (JQ677043). No previous sequences were available for comparison for Btub and EF1 and none of the available sequences had more than 90% identity. Pathogenicity was confirmed by spraying Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ plants with a conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml) prepared from spores from 21-day-old cultures on potato dextrose agar, incubated at 20°C with a 12 hr light/ 12 hr dark cycle. Plants were kept in high humidity for 72 hr after inoculation. After four weeks, black lesions were observed on leaves. Pycnidia and conidia consistent with S. rudbeckiae were found within each lesion. Control plants sprayed with sterilised water showed no symptoms. Septoria rudbeckiae was described from the USA (Ellis & Halsted, 1) where it is now widespread causing disfigurement of Rudbeckia in gardens. Although the fungus has been recorded from a number of different Rudbeckia species, Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti cv. Goldstrum has been recognised in the USA as one of the most susceptible cultivars. Septoria rudbeckiae has also been reported from Canada, Bulgaria and Romania (Farr & Rossman, 2), Turkey (as Septoria sp.; Gumrukcu, 3) and Korea (Park, 4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. rudbeckiae in the United Kingdom. The authors would like to thank Jane Renshaw for aid in preparation of fungal cultures.

Effects of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on European Hedgehog Activity at Supplementary Feeding Stations.

Simple SummaryOwing to the rapid expansion of urbanisation, light pollution has increased dramatically in the natural environment causing significant negative effects on species fitness, abundance, foraging and roosting behaviours. However, very little research has examined the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on mammal species other than bats. Using a large-scale citizen science project, we examined the potential impact of ALAN on European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) at supplementary feeding stations. Our results show that there were no significant effects of ALAN on the presence, feeding activity or activity patterns of hedgehogs throughout the experiment, although some variations in individual hedgehogs were observed. This suggests that while there was no significant impact of ALAN found at supplementary feeding stations, there could be other costs associated with lighting, e.g., reproductive success, territory maintenance and natural prey availability, which need to be considered.Artificial light at night (ALAN) can have negative consequences for a wide range of taxa. However, the effects on nocturnal mammals other than bats are poorly understood. A citizen science camera trapping experiment was therefore used to assess the effect of ALAN on the activity of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) at supplementary feeding stations in UK gardens. A crossover design was implemented at 33 gardens with two treatments—artificial light and darkness—each of which lasted for one week. The order of treatment depended on the existing lighting regime at the feeding station: dark treatments were applied first at dark feeding stations, whereas light treatments were used first where the station was already illuminated. Although temporal changes in activity patterns in response to the treatments were noted in some individuals, the direction of the effects was not consistent. Similarly, there was no overall impact of ALAN on the presence or feeding activities of hedgehogs in gardens where supplementary feeding stations were present. These findings are somewhat reassuring insofar as they demonstrate no net negative effect on a species thought to be in decline, in scenarios where the animals are already habituated to supplementary feeding. However, further research is needed to examine long-term effects and the effects of lighting on hedgehog prey, reproductive success and predation risk.

A Study of Sustainable Social Housing Community Design in Britain and China

BritainandChinahaveexperiencedperiodsofrapidpopulationgrowthandinadequate housing construction. Social housing is a form of housing tenure easing the housing pressure. It solves residential demands of different living patterns in middle to low-income groups. The sustainable strategy lies in three aspects:1. Making the utmost use of the local natural environment;2. Providing reasonable public spaceandsuitabletraffic to revitalize community awareness; and 3. The holistic design of multiple dwelling units for different people and long-term needs. This paper shows two projects – Park Hill in Sheffield, UK and Longnan Garden in Shanghai – as precedents of how to design social housing with sustainable approaches by following the local natural characteristics,by respecting traditions and the different demands of residents and the long-term housing usage. UP TO HERE Compared with China’s 20-year social housing development, that in Britain has a long history and presents complicated multiplicities, could provide significant references. This paper shows that such communities could be design in steps: using the organic gallery apartment building layout, the special corridor system connecting the public function to neighborhoods, SI House theories optimizing the hostile design of dwelling units and components. During the design, the local nature and tradition should be respected. Specifically, the Park Hill is built up along the sloping field, four types of apartment units are based on the traditional terraced house, designed holistically for different families; the deck, which is called “street in the sky”, is not only the traffic but also the active place promoting public and neighborhoods relationships; the renovation design retains the former structure and makesthemaximizationofindoorflexibility.LongnanGardenissurroundedbyexisting resident districts; the organic planning based on the traditional courtyards ensures the enough sunlight and river views in the community; the community environment is improved by the courtyards,which include the ground are and roof gardens;elevated corridors run through courtyards connecting common rooms on the second floor; the 7.6-meter-heightskeletonisinnovatedfromSIhousingandtheexperienceofEuropean social housing. The paper summarizes the development tendency of social housing and provides reference for future.

First record ofAlternaria thunbergiaeonThunbergia alatain Europe

Thunbergia alata, often known as black-eyed Susan vine, is used in UK gardens as an annual climber in bedding schemes and hanging baskets. Flowers are typically shades of yellow, orange and red with a black centre. Plants germinated onsite …

A GIS and object based image analysis approach to mapping the greenspace composition of domestic gardens in Leicester, UK

Greenspace provides a range of environmental benefits for urban residents, and is considered an important resource in urban development strategies. However, city-wide greenspace benefit modelling approaches often overestimate greenspace within garden areas, or even omit gardens from such analysis. As combined garden areal extents are significant for UK urban areas, improved estimations of garden greenspace abundance are required to improve urban greenspace analysis. This study investigates the methodological implications of a GIS and Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) remote sensing approach with very high resolution Worldview-2 imagery for classifying UK urban garden surfaces. Gardens for an approximate 7 km2 study area of the city of Leicester, UK were classified with an overall accuracy ∼86%. The study demonstrates the applicability of GIS and OBIA analysis for mapping UK urban garden surfaces, with the methodology detailed here useful as a framework for further UK garden studies. Improvements to the current methodology are also considered in lieu of data and methodological limitations. In addition, the resulting garden surface dataset was analysed to examine associations of garden greenspace proportions with physical garden characteristics. Low greenspace proportions are found to be particularly prevalent for Victorian Terraced housing types in the study area; with greenspace proportions also generally associated positively with garden areal extents. Identification of potential predictive characteristics for garden greenspace abundance may prove useful as proxy information for urban greenspace analysis in other UK urban areas.

The effect of pond dyes on oviposition and survival in wild UK Culex mosquitoes.

British Culex pipiens complex [Culex pipiens sensu lato) mosquito distribution, abundance, and potential for disease transmission are intimately linked to their environment. Pond and lake dyes that block light to restrict algal photosynthesis are a relatively new product assumed to be an environmentally friendly since they are based on food dyes. Their use in urban garden ponds raises questions linked to mosquito oviposition, since coloured water can be an attractant. Culex (mostly pipiens) is commonly found in UK gardens and is a potential vector of viruses including the West Nile Virus (WNV). Any factors that significantly change the distribution and population of Cx pipiens could impact future risks of disease transmission. A gravid trap was used to catch female Cx pipiens mosquitoes for use in oviposition choice tests in laboratory and semi-field conditions. Two types of pond dye, blue and shadow (which looks slightly red), were tested for their impact on oviposition and survival of wild caught Cx pipiens. There were no significant differences in the number of egg batches laid when gravid mosquitoes were given a choice between either blue dye and clear water or shadow dye and clear water indicating that these dyes are not attractants. Larvae hatched from egg batches laid by wild-caught gravid females were used to measure survival to adulthood with or without dye, in a habitat controlled to prevent further colonisation. The experiment was run twice, once in the summer and again in the autumn, whereas the dyes had no impact on emergence in the summer, there were highly significant reductions in emergence of adults in both dye treated habitats in the autumn. Containers with or without shadow dye were placed outside to colonise naturally and were sampled weekly for larvae and pupae over a 6 month period through summer and autumn. There was a significant negative effect of shadow dye on pupal abundance in a three week period over the summer, but otherwise there was no effect. It is likely that population abundance and food was a more powerful factor for mosquito survival than the dye.

A role for artificial night-time lighting in long-term changes in populations of 100 widespread macro-moths in UK and Ireland: a citizen-science study

The abundance of 100 of the most widespread species of macro-moth in the UK and Ireland was estimated from light-trap records reported to the UK and Ireland Garden Moth Scheme between 2005 and 2015. Recording sites were classified into low, medium and high night-time illumination categories by satellite imagery, into land-use types from the dominant use in the 1–2 km surrounding area, and by latitude. Most urban sites were in the group classified as having high night-time illumination. Comparison between medium and low night-time illuminated sites allowed differences between levels of illumination free from the effect of urbanization on moth abundance to be assessed. The medium and low night-time illuminated sites differed significantly in the frequency of grassland and arable land-use types and in geographic location with more grassland and north-western sites in the low-light category. After adjustment for these differences and for variations between taxonomic family groups, the medium to low night-time lighting abundance ratios explained a significant (P < 0.001) 20% of the variance in long-term changes in moth abundance reported by the Rothamsted Insect Survey for the years 1968–2002. This is the first demonstration that artificial night-time lighting has had, in combination with other factors, a significant influence on levels of abundance of moth populations.

Pond dyes are Culex mosquito oviposition attractants.

BackgroundBritish mosquito population distribution, abundance, species composition and potential for mosquito disease transmission are intimately linked to the physical environment. The presence of ponds and water storage can significantly increase the density of particular mosquito species in the garden. Culex pipiens is the mosquito most commonly found in UK gardens and a potential vector of West Nile Virus WNV, although the current risk of transmission is low. However any factors that significantly change the distribution and population of C. pipiens are likely to impact subsequent risk of disease transmission. Pond dyes are used to control algal growth and improve aesthetics of still water reflecting surrounding planting. However, it is well documented that females of some species of mosquito prefer to lay eggs in dark water and/or containers of different colours and we predict that dyed ponds will be attractive to Culex mosquitoes.MethodsBlack pond dye was used in oviposition choice tests using wild-caught gravid C. pipiens. Larvae from wild-caught C. pipiens were also reared in the pond dye to determine whether it had any impact on survival. An emergence trap caught any adults that emerged from the water. Water butts (80 L) were positioned around university glasshouses and woodland and treated with black pond dye or left undyed. Weekly sampling over a six month period through summer and autumn was performed to quantified numbers of larvae and pupae in each treatment and habitat.ResultsGravid female Culex mosquitoes preferred to lay eggs in dyed water. This was highly significant in tests conducted under laboratory conditions and in a semi-field choice test. Despite this, survivorship in black dyed water was significantly reduced compared to undyed water. Seasonal analysis of wild larval and pupal numbers in two habitats with and without dye showed no impact of dye but a significant impact of season and habitat. Mosquitoes were more successful, with significantly higher numbers of pupae, in the habitat where they had vegetation cover and shade.DiscussionOur study has raised some interesting possibilities; one is that where used, pond dyes may be encouraging mosquitoes to breed in gardens in close proximity to people. Considering the concerns over potential future spread of disease in urban environments, this as well as shading of ponds and water butts, should inform future advice over reducing mosquito breeding and spread.

Insights from measuring pollen deposition: quantifying the pre-eminence of bees as flower visitors and effective pollinators

Using our accumulated datasets from Kenyan savanna, Mediterranean garigue, UK gardens and heathland, involving 76 plants from 30 families, we present detailed data to quantify the superiority of bees as pollinators of most flowering plants when compared with other flower visitors. Bees provided the majority of visits to study species at all sites, and 33 of the 76 plants received more than 90% of their visits from bees. Furthermore, pollen deposition onto stigmas from single-visit events (SVD, a measure of pollination effectiveness) was significantly higher for bees than non-bees at all the four sites where a major proportion of the flora was sampled. Solitary bees, and also bumblebees in temperate habitats, were the best potential pollinators for most plants in this respect, and significantly out-performed honeybees. Only a few plants were well served by bombyliid flies, and fewer again by larger hoverflies, butterflies, or solitary wasps. Bees also achieved better matches of their visit timing to peak pollen availability (measured indirectly as peak SVD), and made much shorter visits to flowers than did non-bees, permitting a substantially greater visit frequency. Additionally, they deposited significantly lower levels of potentially deleterious heterospecific pollen on stigmas in heathland and Mediterranean garigue, though not in the UK garden with densely clustered high-diversity flowering, or in the Kenyan savanna site with particularly dispersed flowering patches and some specialist non-bee flowers. Our data provide a novel and quantified characterisation of the specific advantages of bees as flower visitors, and underline the need to conserve diverse bee communities.

Colour preferences of UK garden birds at supplementary seed feeders.

Supplementary feeding of garden birds generally has benefits for both bird populations and human wellbeing. Birds have excellent colour vision, and show preferences for food items of particular colours, but research into colour preferences associated with artificial feeders is limited to hummingbirds. Here, we investigated the colour preferences of common UK garden birds foraging at seed-dispensing artificial feeders containing identical food. We presented birds simultaneously with an array of eight differently coloured feeders, and recorded the number of visits made to each colour over 370 30-minute observation periods in the winter of 2014/15. In addition, we surveyed visitors to a garden centre and science festival to determine the colour preferences of likely purchasers of seed feeders. Our results suggest that silver and green feeders were visited by higher numbers of individuals of several common garden bird species, while red and yellow feeders received fewer visits. In contrast, people preferred red, yellow, blue and green feeders. We suggest that green feeders may be simultaneously marketable and attractive to foraging birds.

An assessment of bumblebee (Bombus spp) land use and floral preference in UK gardens and allotments cultivated for food

There is increasing interest in the value of domestic gardens for supporting biodiversity. While it is well established that bumblebees exploit urban green spaces, this is the first study to explore the land use and floral preferences of the UK’s seven most common bumblebees in gardens and allotments cultivated for food. A citizen science survey was carried out at 38 sites, between 1st June and 30th September 2013. At the landscape scale, bumblebee abundance and species richness was not significantly correlated with surrounding land use characteristics (both p > 0.05). Bombus pratorum was the only species to show correlations with surrounding land use, demonstrating a positive relationship with built areas and gardens and allotments, and a negative correlation with greenspace and agriculture. At the local site-level scale, bumblebee abundance was negatively correlated with areas cultivated for vegetables and fruits, and positively correlated with areas cultivated for flowers, although neither correlation was statistically significant (p = 0.070 and p = 0.051 respectively). Bumblebee species richness was not correlated with either land use (p > 0.05). All bumblebee species were negatively correlated with areas cultivated for vegetables and fruit, bare ground and hard paving. Several flowering plants were visited by all bumblebee species, although relative preferences varied between bumblebee species. Results emphasise the importance of including floral resources within garden and allotment areas cultivated for food, and the need for a mosaic of different flowering plants to cater for varying floral preferences demonstrated by bumblebee species.

영국 정원문화의 대중화 전개 양상에 대한 연구 - 19세기 왕립원예협회(RHS)의 활동을 중심으로 -

영국은 정원의 역사와 문화가 대표되는 국가로서, 크고 작은 비영리 단체 및 자선단체들이 활동을 하고 있다. 이 중 RHS는 영국의 정원문화 및 산업의 저변확대에 큰 영향을 준 핵심단체이다. 본 연구에서는 RHS의 등장 배경과 전개 과정을 통해 전문 자선단체로서의 정원문화 대중화에 기여한 전개 양상과 그 가치를 살펴보고자 하였다. 19세기 빅토리안 시대의 식물 수집에 대한 열정은 협회 창립의 배경이 되었으며, 영국의 시민정원문화와 관련이 깊다. 19세기 RHS의 전개양상과 정원문화 대중화에 대한 연구는 다음과 같이 요약될 수 있다. 첫째, 19세기 식물사냥꾼들의 해외 파견을 통한 이국적 식물의 전문적인 도입은 수집과 표본작업, 기록 등을 통해 전문적인 식물연구를 지원하는 단체로 발전되었으며, 이는 영국 내 원예기술의 발달, 묘목업의 성장 등의 결과로서 정원문화가 대중화되기 위한 기반 틀을 마련하였다. 둘째, 원예 및 가드닝의 전문서적의 출간은 로우든의 협회 가입 시점으로부터 실천적인 정보와 내용들이 편집됨으로써 대중적(특히, 여성과 중산계층) 독자 폭을 넓힐 수 있었다. 그리하여 생산 활동에 소외되어 있던 여성들의 가정적 원예활동은 새로운 정원 양식을 만들어 내기 시작했다. 셋째, 식물수집 전시를 통해 회원들과 소통하고자 했던 협회의 활동이 여러 형태의 축제로 변형되어 이어져 오다 지금의 첼시플라워쇼를 탄생시켰다. 첼시플라워쇼는 현재까지 세계 정원문화의 중추적인 역할을 하고 있으며, 대표적인 영국 정원문화의 아이콘이다. 넷째, 이러한 RHS의 활동의 과정과 19세기 영국의 근대성은 독특한 영국만의 대중적 정원양식을 이끌어 냈으며, 이는 매우 실천적인 정원술을 요하는 영국 중산층 가정 정원의 형태로서 대중적이면서도 영국적인 성격을 갖는다. 이러한 RHS의 역사와 활동들은 결국 정원의 나라로서의 국가적 위상과도 연결되며, 우리에게 시민 중심의 정원문화 정착을 위해 지향해야할 가치 및 실천방안의 단서를 제시해 준다. RHS is a core organization with huge influences on the expansion of the base for the garden culture and industry. This study aimed to examine the meaning and value of the professional charity's role through the appearance background and developmental process of RHS. The passion for plant collection in the Victorian Age of the <TEX>$19^{th}$</TEX> century became the background of establishing the society. Such background of the times and the root of the society are deeply related to the British civil garden culture. The consideration of the forming process of RHS and the study can be summarized as below. First, the professional introduction of exotic plants by plant hunters was developed into an organization supporting professional plant research through collection, sampling, and records, which led to the development of horticulture techniques, growth of plant nursery businesses and established the foundation of the civil garden culture in the UK. Second, after John Loudon was involved in RHS, inspired by the press editing more practical information contents, middle-class and women became new patrons to gardening. Therefore, the care of gardens became a source of agreeable domestic recreation, especially to the female sex. Third, <TEX>$19^{th}$</TEX> century plant collection and exhibition was seen in the Chelsea Flower Show which a key role beyond the UK garden culture. Fourth, those acts of RHS and modernity in <TEX>$19^{th}$</TEX> developed British middle-class domestic gardens which have the character of the ordinary and national garden style in the UK. Such history and activities of RHS are connected to the national status as a country of gardens, which suggests clues to practical measures and values we should aim for in order to settle citizen-centered garden culture.

Climate association with fluctuation in annual abundance of fifty widely distributed moths in England and Wales: a citizen-science study

Variation in annual abundance of 50 widespread moths in England and Wales was assessed from the area under the log10(moth count + 1) versus time curve (abundance index) for adult moth count data reported between 2003 and 2013 to the UK and Ireland Garden Moth Scheme; a citizen science project. Associations between abundance index and the abundance index of the previous generation, with inward migration, and with UK Met Office data for rainfall, mean temperature and sunshine were sought by multiple linear regression. Sixty-eight generations from univoltine or bivoltine species were analysed with a median range in abundance index between equivalent generations of 98 %. Significant (P < 0.05) single or multiple relationships were identified for all species. In 66 of the 68 generations, there was an association to one or more climate variable, four to the previous generation, and one to a measure of inward migration. Most frequently, moth abundance was increased by colder winters, a warm and sunnier spring, and wetter summers, though contrary conditions favoured some species. The time period over which significant climate variables were operating included some that were effective on generations during the preceding season, over the winter, and before and during the adult flight season. A significant difference in frequency of the different climate variables was identified between life-cycle stages in the winter and between larval food plants during the spring and summer. Unknown factors driven by variations in climate were responsible for 72 % of the annual variance in moth abundance in urban gardens.

"Living in a Communal Garden" Associated with Well-Being While Reducing Urban Sprawl by 40%: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study.

The extent to which novel land-efficient neighborhood design can promote key health behaviors is examined, concentrating on communal outdoor space provision (COSP). To test whether a neighborhood (Accordia) with a higher ratio of communal to private outdoor space is associated with higher levels of resident's (a) self-reported local health behaviors and (b) observed engagement in local health behaviors, compared to a matched neighborhood with lower proportion of COSP. Health behaviors were examined via direct observation and postal survey. Bespoke observation codes and survey items represented key well-being behaviors including "connecting," "keeping active," "taking notice," "keep learning," and "giving." The questionnaire was validated using psychometric analyses and observed behaviors were mapped in real-time. General pursuit of health behaviors was very similar in both areas but Accordia residents reported substantially greater levels of local activity. Validated testing of survey dataset (n = 256) showed support for a stronger Attitude to Neighborhood Life (connecting and giving locally) in Accordia and partial support of greater physical activity. Analyses of the behavior observation dataset (n = 7,298) support the self-reported findings. Mapped observations revealed a proliferation of activity within Accordia's innovative outdoor hard spaces. Representation is limited to upper-middle class UK groups. However, Accordia was found to promote health behaviors compared a traditional neighborhood that demands considerably more land area. The positive role of home zone streets, hard-standing and semi-civic space highlights the principle of quality as well as quantity. The findings should be considered as part of three forthcoming locally led UK garden cities, to be built before 2020.

A bacterial leaf spot and shoot blight of lavender caused by Xanthomonas hortorum in the UK

English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) is grown as a flowering perennial ornamental in UK gardens. It is an important crop for some commercial nurseries that produce large numbers of plants for retail sale in garden centres. During a …

Supplementary feeding of the reintroduced Red Kite Milvus milvus in UK gardens

Capsule The provision of meat for garden birds is unusual in the UK but a reintroduced raptor, the Red Kite Milvus milvus, is now regularly fed in some areas. A questionnaire of garden kite feeders revealed that people were most often motivated to feed by a desire to see kites close up and that most provisioning falls within available guidelines. We estimated the median amount of food thought to be taken by kites per kite-feeding garden per day as 21 g, sufficient to support 0.12–0.26 individuals.