Urban Protected Areas Research Articles

Mapping the marginals: predicting unplanned human settlements in urban protected areas of Bogotá, Colombia

Protected areas are essential for safeguarding ecosystems and their associated environmental services. In urban environments, they serve as crucial conservation zones, protecting against human encroachment. However, even with robust territorial planning, protected areas remain vulnerable to informal settlements. This study employs a landscape ecology approach to identify hotspots within Parque Entrenubes, an urban protected area in Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, that are susceptible to future informal settlements. We utilized a logistic regression model to predict potential invasions by assessing the likelihood of settlements occurring in cells with different characteristics compared to unoccupied areas. Variables considered included distance to creeks, secondary roads, main roads, legalized neighborhoods, elevation, and slope. The results indicate a clustered pattern of settlements influenced by various spatial factors, suggesting that informal settlements are not randomly distributed. Steeper slopes, higher elevations, and greater distances from main roads have higher probabilities of occupation, while areas closer to water, roads, and existing neighborhoods are more likely to suffer illegal settlements. Our study represents the first spatially explicit prediction approach for unplanned settlements in Bogotá. This spatial analysis can inform strategic actions to prevent, contain, and control new informal settlements. Furthermore, the findings can be integrated into urban planning initiatives to mitigate the negative impacts of such settlements on protected areas and the environment.

Diversity, Features, and Challenges of Managing Urban Protected Areas, the Case of Croatia

ABSTRACT Management strategies in protected areas are often based on experiences from large, remote sites, raising questions about their suitability for urban protected areas (UPAs). This paper compares management practices and impacts in non-urban protected areas (PAs) and urban protected areas. Focusing on twelve Croatian UPAs, the study explores challenges, activities, and resilience levels. Through field observations and interviews, it was found that UPA management is influenced by usage intensity, often requiring daily involvement of utility companies. UPAs face unique pressures due to frequent use, leading to longer recovery times compared to non-urban PAs. Moreover, the less natural the area, the greater its resistance to environmental pressures. While UPAs have distinctive challenges, effective management strategies that incorporate natural and cultural heritage, community engagement, and climate considerations can greatly improve their sustainability and public benefit.

Wildlife resilience in an urban landscape: understanding land-use impacts in Cape Town

AbstractUrbanisation is rapidly transforming and fragmenting natural habitats, disrupting ecosystems and negatively impacting biodiversity. The City of Cape Town (CoCT) is situated in a global biodiversity hotspot, but sustained anthropogenic activities have resulted in the local extirpation of most medium and large mammals. A recent survey of mammals within urban protected areas of CoCT revealed that a few, mostly medium-sized generalist species, persist. It is uncertain which native mammal species, if any, inhabit the unprotected green belts and parks in suburban and urban areas of the city. A total of 37 camera trap sites were established along four transects for a period of four months between 31 January and 31 May 2022. A total of 12 terrestrial mammal species were detected, nine of which were wild native mammals and three domestic species. Most detections were in natural habitat followed by suburban, with urban areas having the lowest detection rate of wildlife. Single season hierarchical multi-species occupancy models revealed that tree cover had a significant positive effect on both community and individual species occupancy. Contrary to our predictions, neither human population density nor the extent of the impervious surface at sites significantly affected occupancy. Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) were significantly more likely to occur at sites with a higher proportion of impervious surfaces supporting other recent research, which showed this species together with water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) and Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) are one of only a few native mammals that appear to persist and may even thrive in human-modified landscapes. Our findings underscore the complexity of urban biodiversity conservation and the species-specific responses to environmental factors, emphasising the importance of tree cover in urban wildlife management.

Historic checklist, core species and temporal composition turnover of birds in an urban protected natural area in central México over 50 years.

The Pedregal de San Ángel Ecological Reserve (REPSA) is located within the central campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), in southwestern Mexico City. This area is known for its bird richness, which has been documented over time. However, this historical information has not been compiled, nor has it been assessed whether species composition has changed over time. In this study, we generated the historical checklist of avifauna in the REPSA by integrating data from systematic monitoring, bibliographic review and citizen science. Additionally, we calculated Jaccard's dissimilarity Index (nestedness and species turnover) among bird checklists from each year and evaluated whether this index and its components changed over time. In addition, we estimate whether the proportion of species arriving and becoming extinct in the REPSA is influenced by time (census interval) and by the migratory status of the species. Finally, we identified the core species of the REPSA. Our results indicate that from 1967 to 2023, 258 bird species have been recorded in the REPSA. The Jaccard's dissimilarity and turnover increased and reached an asymptotic trend over time while nestedness showed similar values throughout time. The time and species residency status did not have significant effect on the proportion of species that arrival and become extinct in the reserve. We identified 58 core species based on their persistence; 35 of these are residents, 22 have some migratory movement and one exotic species. Our results highlight the importance of the REPSA as a fundamental habitat for the avifauna of Mexico City, including a wide variety of migratory bird species.

Using public perceptions to inform urban protected area buffer zone planning.

The buffer zones between urban protected areas (UPAs) and their cities play a significant role in managing and protecting UPAs. However, they are also the frontier of conflicts due to complex functionality and a large number of stakeholders. Besides ensuring the buffer zone's function of protecting the UPA, it is also vital to understand how it can fulfill the diverse needs of multiple interest groups residing in or utilizing this area. To address the significant social science research gap in UPA buffer zone management, we establish a conceptual framework and explore how the public's overall satisfaction with the buffer depends on five essential buffer zone qualities, namely environmental quality, connectivity, infrastructure, cultural, and visual quality. We focus on China's Urban Scenic and Historic Areas (USHA), a major type of UPA with high cultural, social, and esthetic values. Using the buffer of Shugang-Slender West Lake Scenic and Historic Area in Yangzhou City as the case study, we conducted intercept and online surveys (n = 499), investigating the perceptions of three user groups-residents, businesses, and tourists. The results indicate high overall satisfaction for all three groups. Environmental, visual, and cultural qualities were rated higher than connectivity and infrastructure quality. Residents generally showed the highest satisfaction and tourists the lowest. For all three groups, environmental quality, connectivity, and infrastructure quality significantly influenced overall satisfaction, while cultural and visual quality did not. This suggests that the public expects the buffer zone to serve as high-quality multi-functional open spaces that enhance the quality of life while providing recreation, service, and transportation functions. Besides direct planning and management advice to China's UPAs and other countries with similar contexts, our study offers a transferable framework for incorporating social perceptions and highlights their significance in informing the functional planning of UPA buffer zones for public welfare.

Effectiveness of the trap-neuter-return method for free-roaming dog management in an urban protected area: Wildlife cannot wait

Free-roaming dogs (Canis familiaris) are invasive species that pose serious threats to wildlife, and this necessitates active management. In Taiwan, resistance to euthanizing shelter dogs has led to overcrowded shelters, which prompted a shift to trap-neuter-return (TNR) as the primary method for managing free-roaming dogs. Shoushan National Nature Park in Kaohsiung, Taiwan has experienced this problem and, therefore, implemented a high-intensity TNR program in 2018–2020. We evaluated effectiveness of TNR in dog population management and its applicability to wildlife conservation in this urban protected area. We conducted camera trapping surveys during 2014–2022 to estimate the population dynamics of dogs and wildlife. The camera traps collected 21,884 trap nights of data and 30,396 trap events of invasive and native mammals. The dog population increased significantly from 2014 to 2017 (relative abundance index (RAI): +318%; occupancy: +17%), which was probably attributed to the implementation of a no-kill policy. Afterwards, the population declined marginally from 2018 to 2021 following the TNR that was conducted (RAI: −29%; occupancy: −9%). In contrast, Reeves' muntjacs (Muntiacus reevesi) decreased significantly from its peak in 2014 to a low in 2022 (RAI: −96%; occupancy: −41%). Similarly, masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) also experienced a decline (RAI: −60%; occupancy: −25%). Population viability analysis predicted that maintaining a sterilization rate of > 75% for female dogs could theoretically control the dog population, but the 50–100 immigrants that entered the population each year would disrupt the effectiveness of the TNR treatment severely. We concluded that TNR was not sufficient in areas with conservation concerns. In addition to neutering, strategies to reduce immigration and to increase the number of dogs removed were crucial for effective management.

Prospects and limitations of urban protected areas as a resource base for the regional recreational and tourism industry

Prospects and limitations of urban protected areas as a resource base for the regional recreational and tourism industry

Анализ структуры сети особо охраняемых природных территорий городских округов на примере Дальневосточного федерального округа

The activation of socio-economic development of the Far Eastern Federal District has aroused interest around Russian and foreign practices for improving the quality of life of city residents, particularly in developing a network of protected areas (PA). The study’s goal is to analyze the structure of the network of protected areas in 11 Сity Districts including the administrative centers of the constituent entities that are of the part of the Far Eastern Federal District is presented. Research objectives: determination of the structure’s elements of the urban protected areas network; identification of quantitative and qualitative indicators characterizing the key elements of the PA network; conducting a comparative analysis in City Districts according to the degree of activation of the progress of forming a PA network. The work was carried out using the comparative geographical research method. Regulatory documents, statistical materials, cadastral information and target programs were analyzed. Networks of urban PA include three components: PA of federal, regional and municipal levels; ecological corridors, buffer zones. Yakutsk, Vladivostok and Blagoveshchensk lead in terms of the PA total area, which is due to the large area of these municipalities. Out of the 11 City Districts studied, 9 have organized protected areas of different levels of management and 14 categories. But protected areas of federal, regional, and municipal significance were developed in only two – “Yakutsk City” and “Blagoveshchensk City District”. It was established that PA of 14 categories were organized in 9 City Districts. The specificity of urban protected natural sites is reflected in the establishment of categories of PA with significant areas of wild nature as a calm zone, a resource reserve, a protected coastline, and a protected natural landscape. The network of PA in most City Districts is underdeveloped. The exceptions are “Blagoveshchensk City District”, “Vladivostok City District” and “YakutskCity”, where the indicator “share of protected areas from the total area of the City District” is 44,3, 29,5 and 25,7 % respectively. The picture of the formation of a PA network in City Districts of the Far Eastern Federal District is presented. The characteristics of PA were determined by natural factors, settlement and economic development practices, institutional changes, the realities of regional development of urban planning cases taking into account the environmental component. The research findings serve as an information basis for creating scenarios for the strategic development of City Districts including the environmental component that permeates the entire city fabric.

Drivers of urban biodiversity in Mexico and joint risks from future urban expansion, climate change, and urban heat island effect.

Urbanization is a phenomenon where humans concentrate in high densities and consume more per capita energy than in rural areas, imposing high pressures on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Although Mexico is recognized as a megadiverse country and there is an understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes underlying this high diversity, only some efforts have been devoted to understanding how urban biodiversity has been shaped. Here, we compiled a set of socioeconomic and ecological variables to explore macroecological patterns in urban biodiversity across Mexican municipalities. Specifically, we tested the species-area relationships (SAR) between rural and urban areas across municipalities and evaluated the relative role of different socioeconomic and ecological variables driving urban species richness for terrestrial vertebrates. Finally, we explored the exposure of Mexican municipalities to future urban expansion, the urban heat island (UHI) effect, and climate change. Urban and rural settlements show differences in the shape of SAR models. We found that urban area, size of the network of urban protected areas, the number of ecoregions, and GDP explained the urban total species richness relatively well. Mexican cities in the northeast region may be at a higher risk than others. Based on our analyses, policymakers should identify priority urban conservation sites in cities with high species richness and low urbanization development. These actions would alleviate future urban biodiversity loss in these growing cities.

Seasonal dynamics of Wyeomyia leucostigma Lutz, 1904 (Diptera: Culicidae) in Typha L., 1753 marshes in an urban protected area: use of larval habitats and its relation with environmental variables

Larval habitat availability, Typha phytotelmata use and the relation of environmental factors to annual dynamics of the mosquito Wyeomyia leucostigma Lutz, 1904 (larvae and females) were studied in Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve at Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bimonthly, 1520 plants were examined, detecting W. leucostigma in 80.8% of surveys. Larval habitat availability was associated with temperature, but not with rainfall. In addition, the high temperature was associated with greater biting rate. Dynamics of host-seeking were recorded over 10 months of the year and were associated with temperature as well. Furthermore, an accidental fire led to an increase of W. leucostigma abundance likely based on an increase of the Thypha marshes productivity that occurred after the fire.

How Protected Areas Are Transforming Within Megapolis: An Advanced Spatiotemporal Legislative Model

Compared to pristine ecosystems, urban protected areas (PAs) are exposed to intensified pressure and deterioration due to rapid population growth and entangled stakeholders’ interests. At the same time, these valuable ecosystems provide cities with ecosystem services, including cultural ones, and enhance the quality of life. Spatial analysis of PAs’ transformations in the context of the multidisciplinary approach contributes to the detection and safeguarding of vulnerable ecosystems. The study object is the protected areas of Moscow megapolis (within boundaries until 2012), whereas the study subject is the spatial and temporal PA’s transformations established by legislative acts. The research question is to devise a model of transformations designated by law within urban PAs and affecting their borders, land use, and rate of ecosystem deterioration. To achieve the research question, three goals were set: to gather spatial data on PAs’ transformations within Moscow designated by legislative acts; to design a comprehensive and exhaustive classification of PAs’ transformations established by legislative acts; to model spatial and temporal trends in transformations of Moscow PAs (1985-2022), according to the classification devised. The 3-compound framework for the analysis of legislative transformations (downgrading, downsizing, degazettment of protected areas) was coupled by content analysis of transformation events, GIS mapping, and spatial analysis of urban vegetation through NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) estimations and raster computations in QGIS and GDAL software. The originality of our study derives from: the analysis of the 4th transformations’ compound (design failures of new PAs); spatial comparison with positive transformations, strengthening nature conservation; uncovering detailed subtypes and levels of transformations; applying this approach to the local scale of megapolis. Our study is based on: 1985-2022 legislative acts with text and map representations of PAs’ borders, zones and land-use designated by regional government and national ministries; national and Moscow open-access spatial data hubs; Moscow online news; 2001-2021 Landsat imageries and Global Forest Change data on Moscow region. Adverse transformations affected a larger area than positive ones (53.8% of a total PA area compared to 22.6%). Positive transformations contributed by PAs’ design (49.5%) mostly, while adverse ones – by easing of restrictions on land use (60.3%) and failures in the design of new PAs (22.8%). Adverse transformations are mainly reflected in the downsizing of zones with the strictest prohibitions on land use (-68% on average) and a low share of designed PAs (54%) through the period 1985-2022. Woodland plantations dramatically expanded (+86.5%), replacing seminatural urban forests (2005-2021). Hence, PA’s ability to supply ecosystem services has been considerably diminished. In regard to Moscow, considerable adverse trends in nature protection were revealed, generally hidden from the public. The analyzed typology of Moscow PAs’ transformations is quite conventional and may be improved through comparisons with other megapolises abundant in natural heritage to advance the model devised and elicit threats to nature conservation.

A Refunctional Traditional Housing; Kula Zeynep Onbaşı House

By maintaining their current functions or by providing them with new ones and utilizing them, historical and cultural heritage buildings can be transferred to the future. While maintaining the continuity of our historical structures, it is crucial to ensure that the buildings that continue to serve their original purposes adapt to the comfort levels of the time and that the structures that have been given new purposes include the structural arrangements required by the function. Traditional homes are now largely employed for new purposes because they can no longer accommodate changing family dynamics and spatial requirements. This study, whose objective is "to address the benefits of refunctioning and the adverse consequences it may create," has been assessed in relation to Zeynep Onbaşı House, which is situated in the heart of Kula's city and within an urban protected area. The traditional home that is the focus of the study is currently a boutique hotel. In this context, a broad description of Zeynep Onbaşı's house was given before an explanation of the building's architectural elements. Later, the new role assigned to the house was examined after the good and bad aspects of the new function were analyzed. In light of this, it was determined that the refunctioning project, despite having tolerable drawbacks, was largely effective.

Natural Protected Areas within Cities: An International Legislative Comparison Focused on Romania

Urbanization occurs now more rapidly than before, due to the development of compact cities or urban sprawl, threatening quasi-natural areas, especially those protected within/near built-up ones. Europe lacks laws dedicated to natural protected areas within built-up areas, which are subject to the same provisions as natural protected ones, or a legislative vacuum. This research aimed to find the best planning approach for resiliently conserving and developing these areas and establishing grounds for a new tool used for planning the proximity of natural areas within cities. The methodology involved selecting two groups of countries, Nordic and eastern European, and treating these areas differently. The choice was based on specific political history. The study analyzed the legislative and planning framework and compared the approaches of 11 analyzed countries to pinpoint the basic aspects accounted for and applied to other European territories, in order to preserve the characteristics of urban morpho-typology and the particularities of local landscapes. The comparison results suggest solutions such as adopting specific regulations for urban protected areas and their adjacent zones through legal documents, completing/detailing environmental legislation in Nordic countries, adopting laws dedicated to protected natural areas within and/or close to built areas, and changing the approach to protecting natural areas with urban planning or land use tools.

Connectivity approach in urban protected area management based on soil and vegetation chemical status.

The quality and vitality of cities largely depend on the design, management, and maintenance of green areas, including urban protected areas (UPAs), since they provide multiple benefits for the city. Due to urbanization and higher anthropogenic pressure, green areas are decreasing which directly affects natural habitats and biodiversity. This study aims to assess soil and vegetation chemical status in UPAs in the city of Belgrade, Serbia, and to understand how their distance from pollution hotspots affects soil and vegetation quality. Additionally, this paper considers the inclusion of soil and vegetation conditions in the urban protected areas management as a basis for introducing a connectivity approach to expand green infrastructure throughout the city. Chemical properties, the content of nutrients (C, N, P, and K), and microelements (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Pb, Zr, U, and Th) in soil and conifer needles were analyzed. Results showed that the distance of pollution hotspots does not affect nutrient and microelements concentrations in soil, i.e., they do not vary significantly between sites and do not exceed remediation intervention values. However, the microelements status of vegetation is affected since Cr, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb are higher in needles from trees from the city center. The state of soil and plant composition supports the establishment of a network of green corridors and should become a part of management strategies, thus helping biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, and human well-being in the cities.

Evaluation of Cultural Heritage Conservation in the Context of Low-Carbon Urban Development

The problem of climate change threatens the destruction of urban identity by negatively affecting the structure of cities. There is no strategy determined for 'urban protected areas' in the arrangements made for the solution. Contributing to the national 'sustainable development' goals, within the framework of energy efficiency, it is aimed to contribute to the evaluation of innovative application approaches and the determination of strategies for the current renewal methods of cultural assets. Literature review and face-to-face interviews were used as methods. A comparative analysis of the application differences between the repair of a national historical building and the repair of an international historical building was made. As a result; In order to increase the quality of urban life in protected areas, the basic principles of urban renewal should be considered integrated with all strategies and a climate action plan should be made from the national level to the local level.

Health Impact Assessment in protected areas: a proposal for urban contexts in Brazil.

The use of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in the establishment of an urban protected area can enhance the positive impacts and mitigate the negative impacts resulting from its implementation. Brazil hosts some of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world and the HIA may benefit biodiversity and human health. These areas are commonly created without any preceding survey to assess their impacts on health. Protected areas located in urban zones are essential to maintain environmental balance and quality of life in cities. It promotes positive impacts on health, providing ecosystem services and salutogenic benefits. However, they can generate negative impacts such as the violation of human rights, property speculation, spread of vectorial diseases, and psychosocial stress. Based on the identification of the potential impacts of urban protected areas on health and best practices, this qualitative and exploratory study justifies the use of HIA in urban protected areas, especially in the Brazil, and indicates the main elements for the construction of a methodological approach to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and one of its alternatives, the Buen Vivir approach.

Mamíferos de médio a grande porte de uma Unidade de Conservação urbana e seu corredor ecológico na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Protected areas play a fundamental role in the preservation of species, environmental education, and ecosystem services maintenance. Most of the world population live in urban areas, which highlight the importance of preserved areas in urban centers. However, many urban protected areas in Brazil lack species surveys, which limits biodiversity conservation and implementation of management plans. In this study, we surveyed the species of medium and large mammals of Chico Mendes Municipal Natural Park (MNP) and Canal das Taxas corridor through camera traps, thus providing the first comprehensive in situ survey of terrestrial mammals for the area. We also verified whether there was mammalian fauna exchange between the Chico Mendes and Marapendi MNPs through the vegetation corridor formed by the Canal das Taxas. Between November 2020 and July 2021, with a sampling effort of 1,334 trap-days, we recorded five native and five exotic species in the studied areas, including one Vulnerable species in the Municipality and State of Rio de Janeiro (Cuniculus paca). We also confirmed that Canal das Taxas works as a wildlife corridor for native species. Finally, we highlight that species checklists based on secondary information for the region are of limited usefulness and recommend in situ surveys even in small, urban protected areas of Rio de Janeiro city.

Propagation of two epiphytic Cactaceae for relocation to an urban protected area of the Atlantic Forest in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract The relocation of epiphytes contributes to biodiversity conservation. In this sense, studies that aim to promote the success of the process are necessary. Therefore, the objective of this work was to analyze the effects of initial fresh mass and fertilization on the propagation of two species of Rhipsalis, thus ensuring their success after relocation to a protected area. Therefore, fertilized and unfertilized plants of Rhipsalis puniceodiscus and Rhipsalis trigona initially with one or two cladodes were propagated in a greenhouse for 25 months. After relocation to a forest area, their survival was monitored for 16 months. Survival percentage, shoot length and root length were analyzed every four months. Fresh mass, dry mass and photosynthetic pigment were analyzed before relocating to a native forest. During the protected propagation stage, for both species, individuals presenting more branches and those that were fertilized exhibited more intense overall development. The propagation of R. puniceodiscus and R. trigona in a greenhouse with two cladodes is better than with one cladode. In general, R. puniceodiscus displayed better development under controlled conditions than R. trigona. Propagation using fertilization increased fresh mass and favors growth and survival rate of R. puniceodiscus and R. trigona. It is possible to relocate both species to a preserved area of the Atlantic Forest, but R. trigona presented more potential.

Applicability of the PA-BAT+ in the evaluation of values of urban protected areas

Applicability of the PA-BAT+ in the evaluation of values of urban protected areas

Relational Values of Cultural Ecosystem Services in an Urban Conservation Area: The Case of Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

This paper assesses how residents of a developing city in the Global South, recognize and value the multiple diverse cultural ecosystem services associated with freshwater ecosystems, as provided by different landscape features originating in an urban protected area. This objective was achieved by establishing who benefits from freshwater ecosystem services, uncovering the spatial and temporal relationships these beneficiaries have with landscape features, and determining the relational nature of ecosystem service values, benefits and trade-offs as experienced by the different users. Recreation, aesthetic and existence services were valued highest by respondents. People who live closer to the park use, and benefit from, the park’s freshwater ecosystems more frequently than those living further away. Park visitors want ease of access in terms of distance to specific freshwater ecosystems, and then once there, they want a diversity of activity options, such as recreation opportunities, as well as places to reflect and meditate. This study of cultural ecosystem services improves our understanding of social-ecological systems in urban areas by exploring the relationships between park and people which can guide management to ensure equitable and sustainable ecosystem service provision to all city residents.