Urban-rural Gradient Research Articles

Edaphic factors mediate the responses of forest soil respiration and its components to nitrogen deposition along an urban-rural gradient

Exploring the influences of nitrogen deposition on soil carbon (C) flux is necessary for predicting C cycling processes; however, few studies have investigated the effects of nitrogen deposition on soil respiration (Rs), autotrophic respiration (Ra) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) across urban-rural forests. In this study, a 4-year simulated nitrogen deposition experiment was conducted by treating the experimental plots with 0, 50, or 100 kg·ha−1·year−1 of nitrogen to check out the mechanisms of nitrogen deposition on Rs, Ra, and Rh in urban-rural forests. Our finding indicated a positive association between soil temperature and Rs. Soil temperature sensitivity was significantly suppressed in the experimental plots treated with 100 kg·ha−1·year−1 of nitrogen only in terms of the urban forest Rs and Ra and the rural forest Ra. Nitrogen treatment did not significantly increase Rs and had different influencing mechanisms. In urban forests, nitrogen addition contributed to Rh by increasing soil microbial biomass nitrogen and inhibited Ra by increasing soil ammonium‑nitrogen concentration. In suburban forests, the lack of response of Rh under nitrogen addition was due to the combined effects of soil ammonium‑nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen; the indirect effects from nitrate‑nitrogen also contributed to a divergent effect on Ra. In rural forests, the soil pH, dissolved organic C, fine root biomass, and microbial biomass C concentration were the main factors mediating Rs and its components. In summary, the current rate of nitrogen deposition is unlikely to result in significant increases in soil C release in urban-rural forests, high nitrogen deposition is beneficial for reducing the temperature sensitivity of Rs in urban forests. The findings grant a groundwork for predicting responses of forest soil C cycling to global change in the context of urban expansion.

Anthropogenic, environmental and temporal associations with vertebrate road mortality in a wildland-urban interface of a biodiverse desert ecoregion.

Road mortality adversely affects wildlife populations. As urbanization and infrastructure densities expand, transportation and wildlife management aim to mitigate wildlife-vehicle conflicts while conserving biodiversity. Roadways in aridland ecosystems can invariably and adversely impact wildlife differently from temperate and other biomes, yet these rapidly urbanizing regions are understudied as are urban-rural gradients. We conducted road-cruise surveys (n = 204; 2018-2023) to assess anthropogenic, environmental, and temporal factors associated with vertebrate roadkill across the wildland-urban interface of Arizona's biodiverse Sonoran Desert ecoregion-already subjected to increased human development and climate change. Of n = 2019 vertebrates observed, 28.5% were roadkill. Increasing urbanization levels were associated with reduced vertebrate abundance on roads and increased road-killed endothermic vertebrates. Traffic volume was strongly associated with reduced vertebrate abundance and increased roadkill; additive effects on roadkill began at approximately 20 vehicles. Daily low temperature and/or relative humidity were also associated with roadkill across vertebrate groups. We provide empirical evidence to understand wildlife-roadkill associations across expanding wildland-urban interfaces to inform effective roadkill mitigation and wildlife conservation management strategies in biodiverse aridland regions. We recommend that managers mitigate or avoid development in rural areas that possess high biodiversity, valuable waterways or migration corridors, and populations of vulnerable species.

Relationship between Village Chicken Availability and Dietary Diversity along a Rural-Urban Gradient.

Dietary diversity is one of the fundamental factors of nutritional security and a proxy used to measure diet quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between village chicken availability and the dietary diversity of households along a rural-urban gradient. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire in rural (n = 100), peri-urban (n = 100), and urban (n = 100) areas of Pietermaritzburg uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. A positive relationship between distance from the city center and village chicken flock sizes (p < 0.001) was observed. Consumption of vegetables increased with an increase in distance from the city center (p < 0.01). A quadratic relationship was observed between distance from the city center and consumption of livestock-derived foods (LDFs) (p < 0.05). Consumption of LDFs increased with an increase in village chicken flock sizes (p < 0.05). Consumption of vegetables increased with an increase in village chicken flock sizes (p < 0.01). Food variety score (FVS) increased with an increase in distance from the city center (p < 0.05). Assessing the availability of village chickens across rural-urban gradients is a worthy opportunity to utilize to improve households' dietary diversity and alleviate poverty. It can be concluded that expanding village flock sizes could enhance the dietary diversity of households.

Analysis of the spatial differentiation and driving force of arable land abandonment and non-grain in the hilly mountainous areas of Gannan

Food security has a bearing on national development and people's livelihoods and is an important guarantee of social stability for national development. The problems of arable land abandonment and non-grain are becoming more and more serious, and national food security is difficult to guarantee, which will seriously hinder the forward development of China's society and economy. Taking Ruijin City of Jiangxi Province as an example, this study calculated the abandonment level and non-grain level of arable land in Ruijin City respectively from two aspects, and explored the spatial differentiation law of farmland abandonment and non-grain level in the hilly and mountainous areas of southern Jiangxi Province by using spatial autocorrelation and cold and hot spot analysis methods, and the causes of arable land abandonment and non-grain spatial differentiation in the hilly mountainous areas of Gannan were revealed by the methods of Geodetector factor detection and interaction detection. Conclusions of the study: (1) Ruijin City, the abandoned area was 1216.73 hm2, the abandonment rate of each village ranged from 0.01 % to 50.62 %, and the comprehensive abandonment rate was 4.90 %; the area of non-grain was 2937.27 hm2, and the rate of non-grain of each village ranged from 0.01 % to 100.00 %, and the comprehensive non-grain rate was 11.83 %. The area of non-grain was 2937.27 hm2, and the rate of non-grain in each village ranged from 0.01 % to 100.00 %, and the comprehensive rate of non-grain was 11.83 %. (2) The phenomenon of abandonment of arable land and non-grain in Gannan hilly and mountainous areas has a certain clustering and driving effect in space. Globally, the phenomena of arable land abandonment and non-grain in Ruijin City are positively correlated, with the global Moran's I of arable land abandonment rate being 0.05, and the global Moran's I of arable land non-grain being 0.73. (3) Whether or not arable land in the hilly mountainous areas of Gannan is abandoned is affected by the combination of socioeconomics, natural resources, farming conditions, and economic location, with elevation, the degree of arable land contiguity, and population density being the dominant factors. The interaction of elevation, degree of concentration and contiguity, field regularity, and per capita arable land area increased the spatial variability of arable land abandonment in the hilly mountainous areas of Gannan. Whether the phenomenon of non-grain occurs or not is affected by socio-economic conditions, farming conditions and economic location, of which the proportion of paddy fields, land transfer price, arable land area, and urban-rural gradient are the dominant factors. The proportion of paddy land, the price of land transfer, the area of arable land, and the urban-rural gradient interact with each other, and the tendency of arable land to be planted with non-grain crops is more serious.

An integrated framework for jointly assessing spatiotemporal dynamics of surface urban heat island intensity and footprint: China, 2003–2020

An urban heat island (UHI) refers to a metropolitan area significantly warmer than its rural surroundings. Accurately quantifying UHI intensity (UHII) relies on selecting appropriate rural areas, which lack a universal definition. A crucial aspect in UHII quantification is considering the spatial extent of the UHI effect, known as its footprints (UHIFP). Here, we propose a framework to jointly estimate UHII and UHIFP, integrating the latter into the former. Our approach involves creating 12 equal-area buffer zones around each urban boundary and initially selecting the three farthest zones as rural areas. Using a seamless 1-km daily land surface temperature dataset on Google Earth Engine, we construct exponential decay models to characterize the temperature variations along the urban-area gradient of each city and to extract UHIFP from these models. The results reveal that the average UHIFP during daytime and nighttime are 2.6 and 2.7 times of the urban size, respectively, predominantly located before the three farthest buffer zones, thereby verifying the effectiveness of the selected rural areas for accurate UHII calculations. This framework is critical for evaluating the risks associated with extreme heatwaves and heat stress. It also provides suggestions for UHI mitigation measures from an urban–rural gradient perspective.

Assessing spatiotemporal population density dynamics from 2000 to 2020 in megacities using urban and rural morphologies

Rapid urbanization has resulted in the substantial population growth in metropolitan areas. However, existing research on population change of the cities predominantly draws on grid statistical data at the administrative level, overlooking the intra-urban variegation of population change. Particularly, there is a lack of attention given to the spatio-temporal change of population across different urban forms and functions. This paper therefore fills in the lacuna by clarifying the spatio-temporal characteristics of population growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) from 2000 to 2020 through the methods of local climate zone (LCZ) scheme and urban–rural gradients. The results showed that: (1) High population density was observed in the compact high-rise (LCZ 1) areas, with a noticeable decline along urban–rural gradients. (2) The city centers of GBA experienced the most significant population growth, while certain urban fringes and rural areas witnessed significant population shrinkage. (3) The rate of growth tended to slow down after 2010, but the uneven development of population-based urbanization was also noticeable, as urbanization and industrialization varied across different LCZ types and cities in GBA. This paper therefore contributes to a deeper understanding of population change and urbanization by clarifying their spatio-temporal contingences at landscape level.

Dynamic indirect impacts of urbanization on vegetation growth in Chinese cities

Numerous studies have examined the potential impacts of urban expansion on vegetation growth. However, the impacts of urbanization on vegetation growth (Urbi) across urban-rural gradients and its driving forces remain poorly understood. In this study, we used satellite observations of MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from 2001 to 2019 to quantify the spatial–temporal dynamics of indirect urbanization impacts on vegetation growth and analysed their driving forces in 60 prefectural cities across China. The relationship between the Urbi and urban intensity (β) was S-shaped, with a turning point where the indirect impact changed from negative to positive. The left-moving trend of the turning point in the southeastern cities indicated the expansion of areas with positive Urbi during the last two decades. We further investigated the spatially heterogeneous effects of two natural and three anthropogenic driving factors on the Urbi across the urban-rural gradient in different climate zones. The results showed that in temperate cities, as urban intensity increased, the presence of turning points was probably attributed to population increase. In cold cities, the change in the Urbi was most likely induced by the enlarging population and increasing economic level from rural to urban areas. However, in arid cities, it was mainly determined by water supply and the cool island effect in urban cores rather than socioeconomic factors.

Plant Leaf Functional Adaptions along Urban-Rural Gradients of Jinhua City.

Environmental changes induced by urbanization may significantly alter plant survival strategies, thereby introducing uncertainties in their ability to withstand extreme heat. This study, centered on Jinhua City, distinguished urban, suburban, and rural areas to represent the various intensities of urbanization. It examined the leaf function properties of evergreen and deciduous trees common in these regions, focusing on leaf and branch characteristics. Employing an analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), and path analysis (PA) of the plant functional traits and the climatic factors of each region, this study assessed the impact of urbanization on plant survival strategies. By tracking changes in plant functional traits from June to August, it explored the capacity of plants to acclimate to urban-warming-related heat stress across different urbanization gradients. The findings revealed that leaf thickness (LT) and stomatal size (SS) initially decreased and then increased, whereas specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf tissue density (LTD) first rose and then declined, from rural to urban regions. From June to August, branch wood density (WD), chlorophyll (Chl) content, LTD, and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) increased, whereas SLA and leaf water content (LWC) diminished, in all regions. PCA suggested that there was no significant change in the resource allocation strategy of plants (p > 0.05), with drought tolerance significantly reduced in the suburbs on the gradient of urbanization (p < 0.05). During the summer, with high temperature, plants were predominantly biased towards slow-return, conservative strategies, particularly among evergreen species. Compared to precipitation, PA revealed a significant urban warming effect. During summer, temperature was the main factor influencing resource investment strategy and drought resistance, with a notably stronger impact on the former. The high temperature in summer promoted a conservative survival strategy in plants, and the urbanization effect increased their tolerance to high temperatures.

Multilevel Change of Urban Green Space and Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity Analysis of Driving Factors

Analyzing the change trend of urban green space (UGS) and exploring related driving forces can provide scientific reference for sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing areas. However, the spatial and temporal driving mechanisms of the drivers on UGS patterns at different scales are still not deeply understood. Based on the GlobeLand30 land cover data, nighttime lighting data and spatial statistics from 2000 to 2020, this study analyzed the size, shape and diversity of UGS in Guangzhou at the urban level, gradient level and township level with multiple landscape indices. Diversity means the richness of UGS patch types. The selected indices include percent of landscape (PLAND), largest path index (LPI), landscape shape index (LSI), aggregation index (AI) and Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI). The spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the drivers was then explored using the spatiotemporal weighted regression (GTWR) method. Results showed the following: (1) During 2000−2020, the total amount of UGS in Guangzhou increased slightly and then decreased gradually. UGS was mainly transferred into artificial surfaces (lands modified by human activities). (2) The UGS landscape showed a non-linear trend along the urban–rural gradient and fluctuated more in the interval of 20–60% urbanization level. PLAND, LPI and AI decreased significantly in areas with higher levels of urbanization. LSI increased and SHDI decreased significantly in areas with lower levels of urbanization. At township level, the landscape indices showed significant spatial autocorrelation. They transformed from discrete changes at the edge and at the junction of the administrative district to large-scale aggregated change, especially in northern areas. (3) The size of UGSs was mainly influenced by natural factors and population density, but their shape and diversity were mainly influenced by socio-economic factors. More regular shapes of green patches were expected in higher urbanization areas. Population agglomeration positively influenced green space patterns in the northeastern and southern regions (Zengcheng, Conghua and Nansha). Meanwhile the negative influence of urban expansion on the green space pattern in the central and southern regions decreased over time. This study contributes to an in-depth understanding of how the key factors affect the different changes of UGS with time and space and provides methodological support for the long-term zoning planning and management of UGS.

Adaptive patterns of anti-predator escape behavior in a globally introduced bird species

Introduced species can represent quasi-experimental, anthropogenic case studies of both ecological and evolutionary principles. When these species are firmly established, competitive interactions between native and introduced species interactions, including foraging, spacing, and breeding competition, may be among the ecological costs incurred from such species invasions. In turn, genetic and/or plasticity-driven changes in behavior and morphology could also take place in the invading species with increasing introduction lag (time since the onset of introduction). Critically, however, introduction lag is difficult to study in any single non-native population without long-term observations, and, instead, it requires geographically repeated measures of the focal response variables across invasive populations that were introduced at different times. Here we tested a priori predictors of predator-avoidance behaviors through the flight initiation distance (FID) assay of a widely distributed invasive bird species, the common myna Acridotheres tristis. The species was extensively and consistently sampled throughout most of its independently introduced ranges across all hemispheres. Critically, FID increased with greater introduction lag. We also detected additional functional patterns in that FID increased towards the rural range within a continuous metric of urban-rural gradient and also at shorter distances from the Equator. Any robust study of FID must also include proximate predictors as well and, accordingly, we found that FID increased with greater starting distance, with lower immediate human density, with flighted over walking escape responses, and at lower heights of a bird’s perch above ground but was unrelated to myna group size. Respectively, these factors are informative about the sensory cues triggering anti-predator behaviors in invasive mynas and imply an adaptive set of patterns of anti-predator responses in the introduced ranges of this species. Control measures of invasive common myna populations should take into account their extensive behavioral and cognitive flexibilities and adjust the planned management methods accordingly.

Limited evidence for genetic differentiation or adaptation in two amphibian species across replicated rural-urban gradients.

Urbanization leads to complex environmental changes and poses multiple challenges to organisms. Amphibians are highly susceptible to the effects of urbanization, with land use conversion, habitat destruction, and degradation ranked as the most significant threats. Consequently, amphibians are declining in urban areas, in both population numbers and abundance, however, the effect of urbanization on population genetic parameters remains unclear. Here, we studied the genomic response to urbanization in two widespread European species, the common toad Bufo bufo (26 localities, 480 individuals), and the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (30 localities, 516 individuals) in three geographic regions: southern and northern Poland and southern Norway. We assessed genome-wide SNP variation using RADseq (ca. 42 and 552 thousand SNPs in toads and newts, respectively) and adaptively relevant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II genes. The results linked most of the genetic differentiation in both marker types to regional (latitudinal) effects, which also correspond to historical biogeography. Further, we did not find any association between genetic differentiation and level of urbanization at local scales for either species. However, urban smooth newts, but not toads, have lower levels of within-population genome-wide diversity, suggesting higher susceptibility to the negative effects of urbanization. A decreasing level of genetic diversity linked to increasing urbanization was also found for MHC II in smooth newts, while the relationship between MHC class I diversity and urbanization differed between geographic regions. We did not find any effects of urbanization on MHC diversity in the toad populations. Although two genetic environment association analyses of genome-wide data, LFMM and BayPass, revealed numerous (219 in B. bufo and 7040 in L. vulgaris) SNPs statistically associated with urbanization, we found a marked lack of repeatability between geographic regions, suggesting a complex and multifaceted response to natural selection elicited by life in the city.

Geographic Accessibility to Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Services Across Ontario: A Geographic Information System Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the distribution and geographic accessibility of pelvic health physiotherapist services for females in Ontario across an urban–rural gradient. Method: A geographic information system-based observational study was conducted. Physiotherapists’ practice locations (supply) were obtained from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario registrant pelvic health roster. Dissemination area centroids (demand) were calculated based on 2021 Statistics Canada census data for females in Ontario. Locations were geocoded and mapped, and an accessibility score was computed using an enhanced two-step floating catchment area method. A choropleth map was generated with accessibility scores, and results were stratified using an urban–rural gradient. Results: Geographic locations of 1172 pelvic health physiotherapists across Ontario were retrieved. The provincial average accessibility score was 1.84 pelvic health physiotherapists (PHPTs) per 10,000 females (range, min-max, 0–26.27 PHPTs). Access to a PHPT is more limited in rural areas and municipalities with weak to no metropolitan influence and higher in census metropolitan areas and larger urban centres. Conclusions: Regional disparities in accessibility to PHPT services for females in Ontario exist and should be considered in planning and policy development, particularly to enhance accessibility to females living in rural areas.

Patterns and correlates in the distribution, design and management of garden ponds along an urban–rural gradient

Urbanisation results in the loss and alteration of natural wetlands and ponds. However, garden ponds in cities and towns can potentially act as rich reservoirs of aquatic biodiversity and stepping stones for dispersal. Homeowners with a range of different motivations, including biodiversity values, install garden ponds. Here, our main aim was to study whether the design and management choices of garden pond owners depended on the location of ponds (capital city vs. countryside), when ponds were installed (pond age), or whether fish were introduced. We surveyed 834 garden pond owners across Hungary using a citizen science questionnaire, asking questions on pond size, location, construction date and materials, vegetation structure, introduction of fish and management practices. From 753 validated responses, we found that the introduction of fish into ponds and high urbanisation were strongly associated with local features and management practices, especially large ponds with a water circulation feature, irrespective of pond age. A typical garden pond in Hungary is ~ 20 m2, < 10 years old, made of rubber lining, contains fish, aquatic vegetation and circulating water, and is actively managed. There was a spatial separation of ponds based on local features between ponds in the capital city (Budapest) and elsewhere. These findings suggest that garden pond owners in the city were more likely to make different choices in pond design and management compared to owners in regional areas. Our results also suggest that pond owners may primarily select management practices to improve habitat quality for ornamental fish. Our findings have important implications for maintaining aquatic biodiversity in urban areas, where garden ponds may be the only aquatic habitat available.

Plasticity in resource allocation of the invasive Phytolacca americana: Balancing growth, reproduction, and defense along urban–rural gradients

In response to varying environments along urban and rural gradients, invasive plants may strategically allocate resources to enhance their invasiveness. However, how invasive plants balance their resources for growth, reproduction, and defense as responses to biotic and abiotic factors across these gradients remain unclear. We conducted field surveys on the growth, reproduction, and herbivory of the invasive species Phytolacca americana across diverse urban and rural habitats. Leaf samples were collected to analyze the nutritional content, primary and secondary metabolites. We found that plant growth rates, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, and concentrations of flavonoids and saponins were higher in urban habitats, while reproduction, herbivory, and carbon-to‑nitrogen ratios were lower than those in rural habitats. We also found a trade-off between growth rate and herbivory, as well as trade-offs among defense traits associated with herbivory (e.g., leaf mass per area, the inverse of leaf nitrogen content, and carbon‑nitrogen ratio) and the production of metabolites associated with abiotic stress tolerance (e.g., soluble sugars, flavonoids, and saponins). As earlier studies showed low levels of genetic diversity within and between populations, our findings suggest that the urban–rural gradient patterns of resource allocation are primarily phenotypic plasticity in response to herbivory in rural areas and abiotic factors in urban areas. Our study sheds light on the mechanisms by which urbanization affects plant invasions and offers insights for the implementation of their management strategies.

Host weight, seasonality and anthropogenic factors contribute to parasite community differences between urban and rural foxes

Pathogens often occur at different prevalence along environmental gradients. This is of particular importance for gradients of anthropogenic impact such as rural-urban transitions presenting a changing interface between humans and wildlife. The assembly of parasite communities is affected by both the external environmental conditions and individual host characteristics. Hosts with low body weight (smaller individuals or animals with poor body condition) might be more susceptible to infection. Furthermore, parasites' mode of transmission might affect their occurrence: rural environments with better availability of intermediate hosts might favour trophic transmission, while urban environments, typically with dense definitive host populations, might favour direct transmission. We here study helminth communities (141 intestinal samples) within the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), a synanthropic host, using DNA metabarcoding of multiple marker genes. We analysed the effect of urbanisation, seasonality and host-intrinsic (weight, sex) variables on helminth communities. Helminth species richness increased in foxes with lower body weight and in winter and spring. Season and urbanisation, however, had strong effects on the community composition, i.e., on the identity of the detected species. Surprisingly, transmission in two-host life cycles (trophic transmission) was more pronounced in urban Berlin than in rural Brandenburg. This disagrees with the prevailing hypothesis that trophically transmitted helminths are less prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas. Generally, co-infestations with multiple helminths and high infection intensity are associated with lighter (younger, smaller or low body condition) animals. Both host-intrinsic traits and environmental drivers together shape parasite community composition and turnover along urban-rural gradients.

Determinants of spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients: A review

Urbanization can create uncertainty for biodiversity. Understanding the spatial distribution of trees along urban-rural gradients is crucial for sustainable land management and the conservation of biological diversity. However, limited information is available on the factors influencing the distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural transition gradients. This paper uses the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to review how distance from urban centers, land use types, socio-economic disparities, and community attitudes and perceptions impact the spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients. The review indicates that the species composition, diversity, density, and spatial arrangement of trees outside forests vary along the urban-rural gradient. The most commonly cited factors influencing this distribution are respondents' attitudes and perceptions of trees, socio-economic factors, and land use variations. Distance from the urban center was the least cited factor. However, there is significant variation in how different factors impact this distribution from study to study. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the factors driving changes in the diversity of trees outside forests in various urban-rural contexts and to determine whether variations exist across different settings.

Seasonal habitat selection and ranging of domestic cats (Felis catus) in rural and urban environments

Domestic cats (Felis catus) thrive at high densities alongside humans in urban and rural environments and are responsible for excessive wildlife predation worldwide. As urbanisation and farmland expands, and domestic cats inevitably reach previously unoccupied habitats, management plans will rely on understanding cat ranging behaviours. Cat movements and habitat selection may differ depending on their surroundings, and consequently, we sought to assess how male and female cat behaviours varied during different seasons in urban, suburban, and rural environments. In cities and farmland in the UK, the location of 56 owned cats (26 F:30 M) was recorded every 5 min for a total of 5237 h using GPS collars (454 ± 25 fixes over c. 4 days per individual). Urban and rural cats exhibited similar patterns of home ranges, maximum distances travelled from their owner’s house, and habitat selection, where they selected for built-up areas with good cover and avoided open spaces. Cats spent an average of 75% of their time outside their owners’ house or garden and therefore had great potential to encounter wild prey. Males in rural areas were almost twice as active than other males but all exhibited crepuscular activity patterns compared to cathemeral or diurnal females. In summer, cats had smaller home ranges and were more nocturnal, poentially concentrating their impacts around core areas during hotter months. Similarities in cat ranging behaviours across the urban–rural gradient suggest management plans can be equally applied in areas alongside cities as well as farmland. Buffer or exclusion zones of 750 m around protected areas would exclude 95% of cats, but specialised management, such as periodic confinement during specific active periods, could prove effective during vulnerable prey species’ breeding seasons. These findings improve our understanding of how cat ranging is affected by urbanisation under seasonal variation, and can be used to tailor management strategies as new species and populations are exposed to domestic cat predation.

Residents’ perceptions of ecosystem services in an urbanizing basin: A case study in the Guanting Reservoir basin, China

Understanding stakeholders’ differences in perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) is crucial for guiding ecological conservation and planning. However, the variations of ES perception amongst different types of residents in urbanizing areas along an urban-rural gradient are still poorly understood. Combining a questionnaire-based survey, redundancy analysis, and statistical tests, we delineated the urban-rural gradient according to local residents’ socio-economic characteristics, and investigated the differences in local residents’ perceptions of ES and potential factors affecting them in the Guanting Reservoir basin, a rapidly urbanizing basin in China. The results showed that residents living in urban-rural transitional areas attached great importance to provisioning services of providing food and domestic water, regulating services of carbon sequestration and air purification, and cultural services of providing education and training, which were 0.7%–13.1%, 0.7%–9.1% and 2.5%–21.2% higher than that of residents in other areas, respectively. Age and occupation were major factors affecting residents’ perceptions. In terms of land-use types that deliver ES, the difference in perceptions of ES delivered by grassland was the greatest amongst residents. Our results support recommendations for policymakers to take into account the stakeholders’ diverse perceptions, thus promoting residents’ sense of gain on ES.

Urban regrets (Unhappy metros: Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS))

This is the first study of urban-rural happiness gradient using multi-item Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). A new finding is that urbanites fail especially on “If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing”–urban way of life tends to result in regrets. Effect sizes of urbanicity on subjective wellbeing (SWB) are substantial–about half of health–living in a metro depresses one's happiness as much as going half way from fair health to poor health, for instance.

Determinants of Farmers’ Perceptions towards Socioecological Benefits of Agroforestry Practices in Northwestern Ethiopia

Agroforestry practices provide multiple ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. However, within the local context, local communities hold divergent perceptions regarding the various roles of agroforestry, particularly in the Afrotropical Region. Hence, understanding these drivers is critical for adopting and promoting sustainable agroforestry practices. Here, we examined the factors that influenced farmers’ perceptions towards the socioecological benefits of agroforestry practices. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was applied to select 90 households along an urban-rural gradient. The data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews and analyzed using a descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, general linear model, and redundancy analysis with the help of R software version 4.3.2. The findings showed that approximately 69.7% of the respondents strongly agreed that agroforestry practices had benefits for society and the environment. However, 11.1% were neutral, and the others disagreed. The results of the general linear model analysis showed that household age, agricultural experience, access to land certification books, and training on tree conservation had a significantly positive effect on farmers’ perceptions of the advantages of agroforestry practices. Furthermore, farmers’ perceptions of the benefits of agroforestry in terms of income generation, educational and cultural values, and climate change mitigation were dependent on household age and farming experience. Overall, this study provides useful insights into the drivers of farmers’ perceptions of the advantages of agroforestry practices in Northwest Ethiopia. The findings of this study underscore the need for policymakers and practitioners to consider sociodemographic and institutional factors that influence farmers’ perceptions when developing policies and plans to advance the adoption and promote sustainable management of agroforestry practices. This supports the widespread adoption of agroforestry practices in tropical agroecosystems.