Use In Urban Landscapes Research Articles

More trees and fewer roads: the importance of local and landscape features for insectivorous bats in open urban green spaces

Context Urbanisation poses new challenges for wildlife worldwide, and recent research suggests that urban parks, although highly modified, may act as important refuges. Insectivorous bats can persist in urban landscapes and play an important role in keeping insect populations in balance. Previous research on use of urban landscapes by these bats has often focused on patches of remnant bushland within cities, but their use of highly modified open spaces is not well understood. Aims We aimed to determine the use of open green spaces (e.g. open parks, sports ovals) by insectivorous bats in Melbourne, Australia and to identify landscape factors that influence their presence and activity level. Methods We conducted passive acoustic surveys at 35 sites across greater Melbourne. Once species were identified from the echolocation call data, we modelled species richness, total activity and activity of individual species against landscape and weather variables, using Generalised Linear Mixed Models and Generalised Additive Mixed Models. Key results Across 557 detector nights, we identified at least 11 of the 17 species recorded to occur in Melbourne. Both species richness and activity were greater in areas with more nearby trees and lesser in areas with more roads. There were weaker species-specific relationships between bat activity and both distance to the nearest water source and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index. Species richness and activity levels were lower on nights with a lower temperature at dusk, higher rainfall and stronger wind. Conclusions Our results show that multiple bat species consistently use Melbourne’s open green spaces, highlighting the potential habitat value of these areas, especially those surrounded by high tree densities and fewer roads. Implications Insectivorous bats play important roles within ecosystems and bring benefits to human society. To encourage the diversity and activity of insectivorous bats in urban landscapes, we recommend retaining and increasing indigenous vegetation surrounding open areas in urban parks, as well as more strategic planning of new urban parks that further increases tree density in cities.

Successful scaling of Edible City Solutions to promote food citizenship and sustainability in food system transitions

Sustainable, productive and biodiversity-friendly urban landscapes are a strategic step in transitioning to future-proof, liveable and healthy cities Edible nature-based solutions, otherwise known as “Edible City Solutions”, comprise a wide range of different forms of sustainable urban food production, distribution and consumption which use innovative principles of ecological design combined with closed material and energy flows. Edible City Solutions contribute to a local green economy, reduce cities' overall ecological footprint, enhance social cohesion, human health and wellbeing and contribute to bridging the gap between “farm and fork”. These benefits have been tested and monitored in Living Labs where a wide portfolio of different solutions have been implemented and scaled in order to accelerate their uptake and use in urban landscapes. The study documents and analyses different scaling practices and activities of the co-created Living Labs – together with local actors within the “scaling community” in Andernach, Berlin, Havanna, Oslo and Rotterdam. We follow a mixed method approach and analyse data by applying the different scaling pathways of scaling up, scaling deep, scaling wide, scaling across and scaling soft previously identified through a systematic literature review. Results are presented as ongoing scaling stories, experiences and challenges in the Living Labs. The study also highlights examples of scaling practices beyond the Living Labs and suggests strategic plans for future scaling. Scaling processes, strategies and approaches are critically reviewed and discussed. Observations are condensed into eleven recommendations for scaling edible nature-based solutions.

Knowledge of Formal and Informal Regulations Affecting Wild Plant Foraging Practices in Urban Spaces in South Africa

Although foraging wild plants is commonly perceived to be synonymous with rural areas, it is now increasingly recognized in urban areas. Notwithstanding, the regulations conditioning access to and rights to foraging in urban green spaces have seldom been examined. This study explored the formal and informal regulations governing access to and defining rights to forageable plant resources in the towns of Potchefstroom and Thabazimbi, South Africa. A random sample of 374 households was considered for the survey, complemented by in-depth interviews with 26 participants. Foraging occurred in a variety of public and private spaces, with the frequency of access differing with the type of space. The majority of the respondents were unaware of formal and informal regulations governing access to and use of urban landscapes. Recognizing foraging activities in urban landscapes is a fundamental step toward fostering active community involvement in the management and production of urban green spaces.

Analysis of Barcelona’s tourist landscape as projected in tourism promotional videos

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the tourist landscape as represented in Turisme de Barcelona’s YouTube tourism promotional videos, looking at the landscape’s tangible locations, symbolic and tourist assets and the protagonists in an effort to interpret its storytelling in an overtourism context. Design/methodology/approach The mixed methodology is based on a visual content analysis of promotional videos posted on the official Barcelona tourism YouTube channel. Quantitative data analysis about the assets and their localization was completed with a qualitative assessment of the way these assets are displayed to unveil the narrative they convey. Findings The results highlight that Barcelona’s projected image is mainly based on tangible heritage (especially monuments), its recognizable cityscape and its eno-gastronomic assets. This rather conventional image is geographically concentrated on the neighborhoods perceived as tourist neighborhoods. Practical implications This analysis provides a critical reflection of the actual strategy of destination management organizations and the storytelling they transmit. The findings can help to orientate their future actions and provide a method of analysis that can be repeated for other destinations. Originality/value This paper sheds new light on the use of urban landscapes in nonstatic images both as a narrative subject and as a tangible tourist space in promotional discourse.

Effects of salicylic acid and humic material preharvest treatments on postharvest physiological properties of statice cut flowers

Statice ornamental plants have a great potential for use in urban landscapes, producing cut flowers and flowering pot plants. Based on the previous reports, it was our hypothesis that the use of humic materials (HM) and salicylic acid (SA) can improve the growth and yield, and also the resistance of static plants to many harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, the effect of HM at 4 concentrations of 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 g.m−2 (which were added as basal at the beginning of planting at the transplanting stage) and the effect of SA at 4 concentrations of 0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 mM (applied as a foliar solution every two weeks until the flowering stage was started) were evaluated on the growth characteristics of Limonium sinuatum (L.) Mill. cv. Qis Mix (Graines Voltz, France) in the research station of Horticultural department, University of Tehran in 2017−2018. Statice seeds first were planted in 45 cells trays, 50 mL volume each, containing equal volumes of peat and perlite, and 30 days’ later seedlings transferred to the pots (4 L of volume) containing sandy loam field soil and kept grown for 4 months in the field condition inside the hole in the soil level prepared for the pots. The results showed that number of cut flowers produced per pot and growth traits was significantly increased under 1 mM treatment of SA and 6 g m−2 treatment of HM compared to control, but physiologically responded in terms of reduced ion leakage, less malone dialdehyde accumulation, less accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, and improved antioxidant enzymes activity with 1 mM of SA and with 4 g m−2 of HM. Findings reveal that a given concentration of SA foliar application could be an alternative improvement treatment instead basal application of HM in case facing harsh environmental conditions during statice cultivation.

ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF URBAN AREAS AS A MEANS OF A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM

Urban development is an objective and irreversible consequence of scientific and technological progress, the result of which is manifested in a change in the urban environment. The advancement of monetary movement over the long run, from the perspective of the economy, is entirely beneficial, yet the development underway volumes are described by a significant level of an anthropogenic effect on the climate. In such a situation, it is quite difficult to prioritize. Analysis of the ecologo-economic state of urban areas, their organization and use, reveals that in the modern conditions of the city's existence, the rational use of urban landscapes is acquiring new dimensions. In this regard, to ensure sustainable development of urban areas, it is necessary to consider and assess both the economy concerning the natural environment and the economy.

Water Stress Patterns of Xerophytic Plants in an Urban Landscape

Efficient water use in urban landscapes is a common objective throughout the western United States. Vegetative species promoted for their drought tolerance characteristics are often included in landscapes designed for resource conservation. However, water requirements of most common landscape species have not been quantified. This is especially true for xerophytic species. This lack of landscape plant water requirement data is a significant constraint on the design of efficient irrigation systems and management practices affecting urban landscape water use. Current irrigation practices often fail to consider the unique physiology of xerophytic species, and irrigation scheduling models may not be appropriate for xeric landscapes using xerophytic vegetation as the primary method of reducing water use. This work describes the seasonal patterns of growth and xylem water status for four regionally native xeric shrub species planted in an unirrigated urban landscape in the semi-arid environment of central Oregon. The four species (Artemisia tridentata, Holodiscus microphyllus, Ericameria nauseosa, and Ribes cereum) exhibited substantial growth over the course of 18 months without irrigation in a heavily modified urban soil profile. Water potential of the four species was strongly correlated with surface (10 cm) soil moisture (r ≥ 0.90), less so with reference monthly evapotranspiration (r ≤ 0.55), and only weakly with water vapor deficit (r ≤ 0.22). In A. tridentata and H. microphyllus, xylem water potential became more negative during the growing season and tracked the seasonal decline in soil moisture. In contrast, the xylem water potential of E. nauseosa and R. cereum tracked soil moisture early in the season but became less responsive to soil moisture in the driest months, suggesting different drought adaptation strategies in these species. Three of the four species showed no visual signs of drought stress and maintained acceptable aesthetics even as soil moisture decreased to less than 10%. However, R. cereum exhibited a drought dormancy strategy that made it less aesthetically desirable. These results suggest that extreme xerophytic shrubs provide an opportunity for significant reductions in water use in urban landscapes.

Evaluation of salt tolerance in a native shrub (Nitraria schoberi) for use in urban landscapes

The use of native plants in the urban landscape, especially in areas with saline and poor soils, plays a key role in water resource management and also in reduction of municipal costs. In order to assess the effect of salt stress on Nitraria schoberi, a native shrub from Iran, potted plants were irrigated with salt water (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mM NaCl). The results showed that chlorophyll, sugar and relative water contents were not adversely affected by the salinity level. Proline content was also not increased significantly by salinity compared with control plants. The findings suggest that Nitraria schoberi is a tolerant plant to salinity that can be used as an ornamental plant in the landscaping of arid areas.

Role of Providing Urban Services in Creating Marginal neighborhoods of Yazd City Based on Citizenship Rights

The marginalization of the outcomes of disparate development in the urbanization system. In the process of expanding cities, in recent decades, many villages and towns have been merged into cities. Yazd city has not been the exception and has included the margin of all areas of Yazd city. Since the effects of inequality in the neighborhoods of Yazd city have been reflected in the use of space in the use of urban landscapes. Therefore, when marginalized people saw unequal distribution of urban resources and rights unfair, they saw themselves unable to recover from the socio-economic situation. Therefore, in this article, we are going to examine the factors affecting the erosion and the relationship between the use of services and citizen rights by marginalization and crime. According to the dispersion coefficient of utilities and urban services in marginal neighborhoods (188.9) and non marginal neighborhoods (14.49), it is concluded that educational, health, cultural, commercial, sports, Green space is considered as one of the factors affecting marginalization. Based on ranking models of settlements, the degree of development in 41 neighborhoods of Yazd has shown a significant difference. Also, the correlation coefficient between non-development and marginalization is valid 035/0. According to linear regression, there was a significant relationship between marginalization and unfair distribution of services and lack of development. Moreover, the results of the cluster model suggest that other factors have been implicated in the marginalization of a neighborhood, other than the lack of services and utilities. The findings of this section of the study are in line with the urban ecosystem perspective. Regarding the damage and social crime of marginalization, according to a sample of 282 residents of the marginal areas of Yazd, it has been found that relatively low unemployed people have committed social crimes. Also, the results showed no significant relationship between immigration and committing social crimes. The results of this study were consistent with theories of social stratification. The marginalization problem is a result of inattention and inadmissibility of citizenship rights. The definition of Yazd margin residents as the second degree citizens is contrary to the principles of the Constitution and the Charter of Civil Rights. Therefore, the government should pay more attention to providing services for Marginalization, to nobody be considered as marginalized or resident in informal settlements. Please cite this article as: Jafari MH, Heidari Noshahr M, Parsa E. Role of Providing Urban Services in Creating Marginal neighborhoods of Yazd City Based on Citizenship Rights. Bioethics Journal , Special Issue on Citizenship Rights, Autumn 2018; 83-94.

A Novel Disease of Big-Leaf Mahogany Caused by Two Fusarium Species in Mexico.

Big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is valued for its high-quality wood and use in urban landscapes in Mexico. During surveys of mango-producing areas in the central western region of Mexico, symptoms of malformation, the most important disease of mango in the area, were observed on big-leaf mahogany trees. The objectives of this research were to describe this new disease and determine its cause. Symptoms on big-leaf mahogany at four sites in Michoacán, Mexico resembled those of the vegetative phase of mango malformation, including compact, bunched growth of apical and lateral buds, with greatly shortened internodes and small leaves that curved back toward the supporting stem. Of 163 isolates that were recovered from symptomatic tissues, most were identified as Fusarium pseudocircinatum (n = 121) and F. mexicanum (n = 39) using molecular systematic data; two isolates represented unnamed phylospecies within the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC 20-d and FIESC 37-a) and another was in the F. solani species complex (FSSC 25-m). However, only F. mexicanum and F. pseudocircinatum induced malformation symptoms on 14-day-old seedlings of big-leaf mahogany. The results indicate that F. mexicanum and F. pseudocircinatum, previously reported in Mexico as causal agents of mango malformation disease, also affect big-leaf mahogany. This is the first report of this new disease and the first time that F. mexicanum was shown to affect a host other than mango.

Optimal foraging in seasonal environments: implications for residency of Australian flying foxes in food-subsidized urban landscapes.

Bats provide important ecosystem services such as pollination of native forests; they are also a source of zoonotic pathogens for humans and domestic animals. Human-induced changes to native habitats may have created more opportunities for bats to reside in urban settings, thus decreasing pollination services to native forests and increasing opportunities for zoonotic transmission. In Australia, fruit bats (Pteropus spp. flying foxes) are increasingly inhabiting urban areas where they feed on anthropogenic food sources with nutritional characteristics and phenology that differ from native habitats. We use optimal foraging theory to investigate the relationship between bat residence time in a patch, the time it takes to search for a new patch (simulating loss of native habitat) and seasonal resource production. We show that it can be beneficial to reside in a patch, even when food productivity is low, as long as foraging intensity is low and the expected searching time is high. A small increase in the expected patch searching time greatly increases the residence time, suggesting nonlinear associations between patch residence and loss of seasonal native resources. We also found that sudden increases in resource consumption due to an influx of new bats has complex effects on patch departure times that again depend on expected searching times and seasonality. Our results suggest that the increased use of urban landscapes by bats may be a response to new spatial and temporal configurations of foraging opportunities. Given that bats are reservoir hosts of zoonotic diseases, our results provide a framework to study the effects of foraging ecology on disease dynamics.One contribution of 14 to a theme isssue 'Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host-parasite dynamics in wildlife'.

Bird foraging is influenced by both risk and connectivity in urban parks

Animal behaviour is increasingly seen as an integral component in maintaining connectivity within landscapes. Perceived predation risk causes changes in behaviour, differentially distributing individuals across landscapes, resulting in patchy habitat use. While intuitively these two ecological processes must be linked, they are often investigated in isolation. Here we investigate these two processes in a feeding experiment of small birds in semi-natural urban parks during winter. Using an information theoretic model selection approach, we found that adding connectivity measures to variables reflecting birds’ perception of risk significantly improved our understanding of foraging and use in urban landscapes. Our results demonstrate the importance of accounting for both perceived risk and connectivity when measuring resource use.

Chlorantraniliprole: Reduced-risk Insecticide for Controlling Insect Pests of Woody Ornamentals with Low Hazard to Bees

Landscape professionals need target-selective insecticides for managing insect pests on flowering woody ornamentals that may be visited by bees and other insect pollinators. Chlorantraniliprole, the first anthranilic diamide insecticide registered for use in urban landscapes, selectively targets the receptors that regulate the flow of calcium to control muscle contraction in caterpillars, plant-feeding beetles, and certain other phytophagous insects. Designated a reduced- risk pesticide by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, it has a favorable toxicological and environmental profile, including very low toxicity to bees and most types of predatory and parasitic insects that contribute to pest suppression. Chlorantraniliprole has become a mainstay for managing turfgrass pests, but little has been published concerning its performance against the pests of woody ornamentals. Researchers evaluated it against pests spanning five different orders: adult Japanese beetles, evergreen bagworm, eastern tent caterpillar, bristly roseslug sawfly, hawthorn lace bug, oleander aphid, boxwood psyllid, oak lecanium scale (crawlers), and boxwood leafminer, using real-world exposure scenarios. Chlorantraniliprole’s efficacy, speed of control, and residual activity as a foliar spray for the leaf-chewing pests was as good, or better, than provided by industry standards, but sprays were ineffective against the sucking pests (lace bugs, aphids, or scales). Basal soil drenches in autumn or spring failed to systemically control boxwood psyllids or leafminers, but autumn drenches did suppress roseslug damage and Japanese beetle feeding the following year. This study indicates that chlorantraniliprole can be an effective component of integrated pest and pollinator management programs on woody ornamentals.

Growth and foliar nutrition of Spiraea alba Du Roi and Spiraea tomentosa L. in response to root zone pH

Spiraea alba and Spiraea tomentosa are native to the eastern and northern U.S. with potential for wider use in urban landscapes. Both grow in acidic soils in their native habitats. To determine their pH requirements in container media, three seed sources of S. alba and two of S. tomentosa were planted in media adjusted to pH 5, 6 and 7. Biomass and leaf greenness were reduced at pH 7 in all seed sources. Foliar P and Ca were higher and Mg and Al lower in plants grown in pH 6 and 7. Foliar Mn was not affected by media pH and Fe decreased with increasing pH only in S. alba. Shoot dry weight was correlated with high foliar N and low Zn and chlorosis was correlated with an increased Ca:Mg ratio. Growth of both species was best in media with a pH of 5 or 6, similar to their native habitats.

Irrigation Requirements of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars Selected Under Acute Drought Stress

There are a number of ways to reduce water use in urban landscapes, but planting turfgrass cultivars that can perform and persist under restricted water is an important component of these systems. A turfgrass screening protocol has recently been developed that allows selection of cultivars that can retain green cover under acute (no water) drought stress conditions. The objective of the present study was to determine if cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and bluegrass (Poa spp.) that were selected under acute drought screening could also conserve water under restricted irrigation habits or chronic drought stress. Six cultivars of bluegrass and tall fescue were exposed to a restricted irrigation program in which plots only received water when green turfgrass coverage dropped below 40%. For the entire three-month study period, the tall fescue cultivar RK4 required 43% less supplemental irrigation than Rebel Exeda while the bluegrass cultivar, Mallard, required 55% less supplemental irrigation as Solar Green to maintain 40% green coverage. These results suggest that cultivars selected with an acute drought screening protocol can also persist with less supplemental irrigation when exposed to a chronic, restricted irrigation program.

Use of Urban Landscape by Coyotes

Abstract Several aspects of the ecology of coyotes (Canis latrans) have been studied in cities (i.e., diet, use and selection of habitat, movements), but additional knowledge will assist persons that are responsible for management of urban predators. We studied coyotes in central Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona, during November 2005–November 2006. Our objectives were to monitor radiocollared coyotes to determine size of home range, to ascertain use of habitat based on land-use categories and movements, and to describe a den of urban coyotes. Average size of home range calculated using the 95% fixed-kernel method was 26.8 ± 5.1 SE km2 for resident coyotes. Overall, land categories used most often were washes, medium-density residential areas, and low-density residential areas. Movements were 800 m/h in areas that were used most during the night (i.e., high-density residential and comm...

From the farm to the city: Using agricultural supplies to irrigate urban landscapes

Growth and development in northern Colorado are resulting in the need to seek out alternative water sources. Agricultural water supplies, provided in the form of secondary water systems, make an attractive alternative. Urban water managers responsible for supplying water to growing communities can benefit by taking advantage of traditional agricultural supplies, without putting agriculture out of business. Such systems offer continued viability of agricultural canal systems, use the water rights historically decreed for irrigation for use in urban landscapes, and reduce the landscape‐driven demand on potable water supplies. These systems are a benefit for all involved. For municipalities, allocating nonpotable water for landscape use reduces the volume of water that needs to be treated to potable standards. This reduces the cost of treatment and delays the need for expanding treatment facilities. For the mutual irrigation company, operating as the secondary water purveyor for urban development expands the company's user base and gives them a new source of revenue.

A Literature Review of Nitrogen Availability Indices for Use in Urban Landscapes

Managers of urban landscapes are required to maintain aesthetic qualities of plants and so must ensure that vegetation has adequate nitrogen to grow and thrive. Soil organic matter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization facilitated by soil microorganisms are the primary determinants of soil nitrogen availability. Therefore, investigations of soil nitrogen pools, organic matter, and soil microbial populations should help urban landscape managers refine diagnostic tools and prescription fertilization for urban vegetation. Foliar assessments can be used to measure nitrogen the plant has acquired, but such assessments do not reveal information about current or future plant nitrogen acquisition. Soil nitrogen analyses can be used to measure the current nitrogen available for plant uptake as well as the amount that will potentially be available at some time in the future. Total soil organic matter changes occur primarily particulate organic matter (POM) fractions, and positive correlations have been identified between POM nitrogen, soil microbial nitrogen, and potentially mineralizable nitrogen. Consequently, examinations of POM fractions potentially indicate changes in soil organic matter and nitrogen availability. To improve existing standards for determining nitrogen status and needs of urban landscape plants, soil and plant nitrogen evaluation must be improved and correlated with plant nitrogen demand and soil nitrogen supply.

MAACKIA AMURENSIS NODULATES AND FIXES DINITROGEN

Maackia amurensis Rupr. & Maxim. is a leguminous tree with potential for increased use in urban landscapes. Information on the nutrition of M. amurensis is limited. To our knowledge, modulation and N2 fixation have not been reported. Our objective was to examine M. amurensis for nodulation and N2 fixation. Soil samples were collected near legume trees at arboreta throughout the United States, with additional samples from Canada and China. Seedlings were grown for six weeks in a low-N, sterile medium and inoculated with soil samples. Upon harvest, small white nodules were found on the lateral and upper portions of the root systems. Bacteria were isolated from the larger nodules, subculture, and used to inoculate seedlings. Inoculated plants nodulated and fixed N2 as determined by the acetylene reduction assay. We conclude M. amurensis forms N2-fixing symbioses with Rhizobium.

MAACKIA AMURENSIS NODULATES AND FIXES DINITROGEN

Maackia amurensis Rupr. & Maxim. is a leguminous tree with potential for increased use in urban landscapes. Information on the nutrition of M. amurensis is limited. To our knowledge, modulation and N2 fixation have not been reported. Our objective was to examine M. amurensis for nodulation and N2 fixation. Soil samples were collected near legume trees at arboreta throughout the United States, with additional samples from Canada and China. Seedlings were grown for six weeks in a low-N, sterile medium and inoculated with soil samples. Upon harvest, small white nodules were found on the lateral and upper portions of the root systems. Bacteria were isolated from the larger nodules, subculture, and used to inoculate seedlings. Inoculated plants nodulated and fixed N2 as determined by the acetylene reduction assay. We conclude M. amurensis forms N2-fixing symbioses with Rhizobium.