Dense Vegetation Research Articles

Abundance Trends of Immature Stages of Ticks at Different Distances from Hiking Trails from a Natural Park in North-Western Italy.

Hiking trails may act as hotspots at the wildlife-human interface, posing an acarological risk for people and their pets. Ticks that are maintained in the environment by wild animals may quest on people walking along the trails. Assessing the risk of tick bites for people involved in outdoor activities is a further step in mitigating the risk of tick-borne diseases. This work describes the variation of tick abundance along a gradient of distances from hiking trails, where wildlife passage is favored by higher accessibility. Hiking trails with dense vegetation on the sides were sampled for ticks along a 100 m dragging transect, located in a natural park in North-Western Italy. Additional transects were replicated at 1, 2 and 4 m away from the trail on both sides. After morphological identification, descriptive statistics and modeling were applied to determine the abundance patterns across distances. Larvae were most abundant near the trail, peaking at 1 m and dropping sharply at further distances. Nymphs showed a more gradual and consistent decrease at progressing distance from the trail. Few adults were collected, preventing the identification of a clear trend. With higher tick abundance, the immediate vicinity of hiking trails may represent a source of acarological risk for humans and pets.

The influence of soil factors on the different vegetation formations of the Dunas Park, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

This article was conducted in a restinga ecosystem on quaternary sandy deposits of Parque das Dunas, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; located north of Salvador, this area comprises a landscape formed by different edaphic gradients with varied vegetation formations. An edaphic characterization of the sections of these remnants was carried out to understand the influence of edaphic factors on the distribution of the plant composition of this environment. For this purpose, a transect was delimited perpendicular to the coastline. In this transect, 08 plots of 25x25m were implanted, 100m apart. In the Centre of each plot, a 1m wide and 60 cm deep trench was opened, where soil samples were collected to determine edaphic and granulometric parameters. These samples in each plot followed the distribution of the vegetation formations of this environment. It was found that the different water regimes and topography of the area influence the soil factors, which interferes with the distribution and heterogeneity of the vegetation. The highest levels of fine, very fine and medium sand fractions and calcium and phosphorus were found in the highest portions. These areas, with better drainage, have a higher plant density. There is a lower vegetation density with open sandbanks in lower areas, lower levels of fine, very fine and medium sand fractions, and lower nutrient retention. In these environments, some areas are partially flooded with adapted species. It was also found that most of the plots had a very acidic pH with the presence of exchangeable Al, which could indicate high nutrient unavailability. Thus, the sandbanks' soil conditions influence the vegetation's development, inducing the plant species to develop adaptive mechanisms to maintain their biological organization.

Evaluating ICESat-2 and GEDI with Integrated Landsat-8 and PALSAR-2 for Mapping Tropical Forest Canopy Height

Mapping forest canopy height is critical for climate modeling and forest management, and tropical forests present unique challenges for remote sensing due to their dense vegetation and complex structure. The advent of ICESat-2 and GEDI, two advanced lidar datasets, offers new opportunities for improving canopy height estimation. In this study, we used footprint-level canopy height products from ICESat-2 and GEDI, combined with features extracted from Landsat-8, PALSAR-2, and FABDEM products. The AutoGluon stacking ensemble learning algorithm was employed to construct inversion models, generating 30 m resolution continuous canopy height maps for the tropical forests of Puerto Rico. Accuracy validation was performed using the high-resolution G-LiHT airborne lidar products. Results show that tropical forest canopy height inversion remains challenging, with all models yielding relative root mean square errors (rRMSE) exceeding 0.30. The stacking ensemble model outperformed all base learners, and the GEDI-based map had slightly higher accuracy than the ICESat-2-based map, with RMSE values of 4.81 and 4.99 m, respectively. Both models showed systematic biases, but the GEDI-based model exhibited less underestimation for taller canopies, making it more suitable for biomass estimation. The proposed approach can be applied to other forest ecosystems, enabling fine-resolution canopy height mapping and enhancing forest conservation efforts.

Display court ecology in male Albert’s Lyrebirds

ABSTRACT Display courts are fundamental to the sexual displays of many species of bird; however, the ecology of display courts is poorly understood, representing an important gap in our understanding of the function and evolution of complex animal displays. Here, we describe the biophysical attributes (‘ecology’) of the display courts of male Albert’s Lyrebirds, a ground-dwelling rainforest species that performs a spectacular song and dance display on set courts, known as ‘display platforms’, that are composed of vines or fallen branches. Males rhythmically move these vegetative structures while singing, forming a unique ‘stage shaking’ component of their sexual display. We investigated whether display platforms differed from random locations within a male’s territory in terms of the number of vines or other vegetative structures, area of ground clearing, vegetation density, and canopy cover measurements. We primarily found that platforms had a larger number of vines or other vegetative structures. Platforms also tended to be in areas with more canopy openings. We suggest that platform features amplify the movement of the dancing male, and that male Albert’s Lyrebirds choose platforms in locations that increase their conspicuousness to female receivers.

Climate-driven peatlands development and vegetation dynamics in Northeastern China since the mid-Holocene: New evidence from Huanan peatlands

Studying peatland evolution and vegetation patterns in response to climate change provides valuable insights into future ecosystem trends. This study focuses on the Huanan peatland located in Changbai Mountain regions in Northeast China, utilizing phytolith analysis and stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) to reconstruct late Holocene vegetation dynamics. Additionally, grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) analyses were conducted to understand peatland development and paleoclimate since the late Holocene. The research identifies three distinct climate periods since 5500 cal yr BP: an initial warm, humid phase (5500–4000 cal yr BP) characterized by high river levels that formed lacustrine sediments; a subsequent transition to cold, dry conditions (4000–1500 cal yr BP) that initiated peat formation; and continued dry, cold conditions (1500 cal yr BP to the present) with sustained peat growth. Phytolith data reveal a dominant forest vegetation type since 2000 cal yr BP, further divided into three periods: 2000–1300 cal yr BP, marked by diverse and dense vegetation; 1300–750 cal yr BP, with declining plant cover; and 750 cal yr BP to the present, characterized by an increase in woody plants but a reduction in local grass cover.

From aquatic to terrestrial: An examination of plant diversity and ecological shifts

Abstract Our study focuses on plant diversity in the Allal El Fassi dam, a semi-arid continental bioclimate, to understand human-impacted aquatic ecosystems. We analyzed plant, soil, and water samples from 40 stations using various indices. We identified 55 plant species across 35 families, with Poaceae, Asteraceae, Asparagaceae, and Rosaceae being dominant. The transition zone (formerly Zone 2) is characterized by dense vegetation of hydrophytes, hemicryptophytes, and therophytes. The transformed (formerly Zone 1) and terrestrial zones (formerly Zone 3) have less diverse vegetation, dominated by phanerophytes, geophytes, and chamerophites. Phanerophytes, due to their developed root systems, are suited to dam soil types. Predominant species like Tamarix gallica L., Nerium oleander L., Juncus acutus L., and Arundo donax L. indicate the dam’s ecological transformation into a terrestrial ecosystem isolated from the river by sedimentary deposits following floods. These species are opportunistic, and adapted to water level variations.

Warming and disturbances affect Arctic-boreal vegetation resilience across northwestern North America.

Rapid warming and increasing disturbances in high-latitude regions have caused extensive vegetation shifts and uncertainty in future carbon budgets. Better predictions of vegetation dynamics and functions require characterizing resilience, which indicates the capability of an ecosystem to recover from perturbations. Here, using temporal autocorrelation of remotely sensed greenness, we quantify time-varying vegetation resilience during 2000-2019 across northwestern North American Arctic-boreal ecosystems. We find that vegetation resilience significantly decreased in southern boreal forests, including forests showing greening trends, while it increased in most of the Arctic tundra. Warm and dry areas with high elevation and dense vegetation cover were among the hotspots of reduced resilience. Resilience further declined both before and after forest losses and fires, especially in southern boreal forests. These findings indicate that warming and disturbance have been altering vegetation resilience, potentially undermining the expected long-term increase of high-latitude carbon uptake under future climate.

The Relationship between the Density of Winter Canola Stand and Weed Vegetation

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop that provides essential vegetable oil but faces significant competition from weeds that are influenced by various agronomic practices and environmental conditions. This study examines the complex interactions between canola stand density and weed intensity over three growing seasons, identifying a total of 27 weed species. It is important to establish a connection between the density of winter canola stands, the intensity of weeding and the response of individual weed species in real conditions. The case study was executed on plots located in the Přerov district (Olomouc region, Czech Republic). The assessment was carried out during two periods—autumn in October and spring in April. Canola plants (plant density) were counted in each evaluated area, weed species were identified, and the number of plants for each weed species was determined. Half of the plots were covered with foil before herbicide application to prevent these areas from being treated with herbicides. We used redundancy analysis (RDA) to evaluate the relationships between canola density and weed dynamics, both with and without herbicide treatment. The results show the ability of canola to compete with weeds; however, that is factored by the density of the canola stand. In dense stands (over 60 plants/m²), canola is able to suppress Galium aparine L., Geranium pusillum L., Lamium purpureum L., Papaver rhoeas L. and Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Rydb. Nevertheless, there are weed species that grow well even in dense canola stands (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud., Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip. and Triticum aestivum L.). These findings highlight the potential for using canola stand density as a strategic component of integrated weed management to reduce herbicide reliance and address the growing challenge of herbicide-resistant weed populations. This research contributes significantly to our understanding of the dynamics of weed competition in canola systems and informs sustainable agricultural practices for improved crop yield and environmental stewardship.

Differentiating Growth Patterns in Winter Wheat Cultivars via Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imaging

Wheat is one of the most widely grown cereal crops, serving as a key factor in sustaining the nutritional and food balance in numerous countries. The use of non-contact methods for wheat monitoring allows for the rapid diagnosis of vegetation density, crop growth, and the presence of weeds and diseases in the investigated fields. This study aims to assess the potential for differentiating growth patterns in winter wheat cultivars by examining them with two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Mavic 2 Pro and Phantom 4 Pro, equipped with a multispectral camera from the MAPIR™ brand. Based on an experimental study conducted in the Southern Dobruja region (Bulgaria), vegetation reflectance indices, such as the Normalized-Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and Enhanced Vegetation Index 2 (EVI2), were generated, and a database was created to track their changing trends. The obtained results showed that the values of the NDVI, EVI2, and SAVI can be used to predict the productive potential of wheat, but only after accounting for the meteorological conditions of the respective growing season. The proposed methodology provides accurate results in small areas, with a resolution of 0.40 cm/pixel when flying at an altitude of 12 m and 2.3 cm/pixel when flying at an altitude of 100 m. The achieved precision in small and ultra-small agricultural areas, at a width of 1.2 m, will help wheat breeders conduct precise diagnostics of individual wheat varieties.

A multivariate approach to assessing landscape structure effects on wildlife crossing structure use

BackgroundComplexity in landscape structure is often assessed using individual metrics related to ecological processes. However, this rarely incorporates important relationships among metrics and may miss landscape structure effects. Multivariate statistics provide techniques for assessing overall landscape structure effects. We assessed how multivariate statistics could be used to connect landscape structure with an ecological process [bobcat (Lynx rufus) wildlife crossing structure (WCS) use]. We tested how landscape structure at WCS sites compared to the surrounding landscape and how structure affected detections at WCS sites. Our study was conducted in Cameron County, Texas, USA where WCSs are in various stages of construction and monitoring. We used a classified land use/land cover map and aerial LiDAR to calculate configuration and density metrics at WCS and random sites. We created indices for configuration and density using principal components analysis to assess landscape structure effects on camera trap detections at WCSs.ResultsLandscape structure at WCSs did not differ from random locations. Wildlife crossing structure use increased with greater woody cover and decreased with increasing vegetation density. Our indices allowed identification of differences in how configuration and density impacted WCS use. Ordination methods helped identify individual contributions of landscape metrics to the overall landscape structure effect.ConclusionsWildlife crossing structures are permanent fixtures on landscapes, so selecting appropriate locations using broad-scale landscape structure likely increases target species use. Using indices of landscape structure provides planners with a more holistic approach to WCS placement and provides a more comprehensive picture of landscape pattern and process relationships.

Dense vegetation hinders sediment transport toward saltmarsh interiors

AbstractTo save saltmarshes and their valuable ecosystem services from sea level rise, it is crucial to understand their natural ability to gain elevation by sediment accretion. In that context, a widely accepted paradigm is that dense vegetation favors sediment accretion and hence saltmarsh resilience to sea level rise. Here, however, we reveal how dense vegetation can inhibit sediment accretion on saltmarsh platforms. Using a process‐based modeling approach to simulate biogeomorphic development of typical saltmarsh landscapes, we identify two key mechanisms by which vegetation hinders sediment transport from tidal channels toward saltmarsh interiors. First, vegetation concentrates tidal flow and sediment transport inside channels, reducing sediment supply to platforms. Second, vegetation enhances sediment deposition near channels, limiting sediment availability for platform interiors. Our findings suggest that the resilience of saltmarshes to sea level rise may be more limited than previously thought.

Intelligent processing of UAV remote sensing data for building high-precision DEMs in complex terrain: A case study of Loess Plateau in China

The Loess Plateau in China is renowned for its dense gullies and complex terrain, with drastic changes primarily due to soil erosion and human activities, significantly affecting the evolution of the ecological environment. The complex terrains and dense vegetation make precise terrain measurement and modeling challenging. Although the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning and photogrammetry technologies has improved data acquisition precision, relying solely on one remote sensing technology struggles with accurately extracting bare earth information. This study adopted a method that fuses UAV lidar scanning with aerial photogrammetric imagery, generating detailed lidar point cloud data that includes coordinate, reflectance, true color, and texture information to enhance data classifiability and interpretability. Subsequently, a point cloud classification model based on the Transformer architecture (Stratified Transformer) is introduced to intelligently complete the initial ground point cloud extraction in complex gully terrains. Further, to address residual non-ground noise in the initial ground point clouds, a new point cloud classification optimization algorithm (MDD, Multi-scale C2M Distance Difference) is proposed. This algorithm, based on the characteristics of discrete and non-continuous with the ground surface of the noisy point clouds, effectively eliminates the discrete noisy point clouds by analyzing the distances between the point clouds and TINs (Triangular Irregular Networks) of different scales and their differences. This study effectively addresses the technical challenges of ground point cloud extraction in the mixed environment of complex terrain and vegetation, solving the problem of precise terrain measurement and intelligent data processing in complex gully terrains, and offering new technical pathways for detecting geomorphological changes.

Drag coefficients and water surface profiles in channels with arrays of linear rigid emergent vegetation

Although vegetation in watercourses has an important ecological function, from a hydraulic point of view, it increases flow resistance, determinates higher water levels and generates a greater risk of flooding. In engineering practice, to determine water levels, the drag coefficient must be known, whose experimental values, in literature, are provided for uniform or quasi-uniform flow. In this paper, the expression of a drag coefficient, previously proposed by the authors for the case of emergent rigid vegetation arranged in a linear manner, was used to simulate experimental water surface profiles, employing the effective width for the first time. The formula was validated by simulating 26 experimental profiles observed at the University of Calabria, over 1100 points in total, plus 8 published in literature. In some of these applications, the vegetation density was much higher than that for which the drag coefficient expression was derived. For this reason, it is possible to consider a new, wider field of validity for it. The proposed equation is independent of the Reynolds stem number, so that it can be used in natural streams and rivers, provided that viscosity effects can be considered negligible. Finally, some comments are offered on the application of a new formula proposed in literature regarding the computation of the profile when downstream depth is taken as a boundary condition.

Stingless Bee Foraging Activity Related to Environmental Aspects.

The environment where bee colonies are inserted must provide the necessary resources for their survival. Given this, any biotic and abiotic changes in the environment can affect the development and survival of the colonies. We evaluated the foraging activity of Plebeia droryana (Friese), Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Lepetelier), and Melipona quadrifasciata (Lepetelier) in areas with different land uses and land cover. These areas were classified as predominantly (i) urbanized/forest (CDA-Cidade das Abelhas), (ii) agricultural (FER-Fazenda Experimental da Ressacada), and (iii) with dense vegetation (SFB-Sitio Florbela). We correlated the morphometric characteristics of the bees with the pollen load transported. Four colonies from each species were installed in the three areas. We recorded light, wind speed, humidity, and temperature and counted the foragers returning with nectar, pollen, and resin. Plebeia droryana and S. bipunctata collected more resin and nectar in with dense vegetation area compared to agricultural area. Scaptotrigona bipunctata collected more pollen in urbanized/forest area and with dense vegetation area, and M. quadrifasciata did not show differences in foraging activity between areas. Plebeia droryana and M. quadrifasciata showed moderate and strong correlations between morphometric characteristics and pollen load. SFB had higher luminosity and wind speed. CDA had higher average temperature. FER had higher humidity. The three species showed positive and negative correlations between temperature and light and foraging in the different areas. Smaller species showed a higher gathering of resources in the area predominantly covered by dense vegetation. The reduction of vegetation cover can affect the resource collection activity of stingless bees.

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Water Hyacinth Density (Eichhornia crassipes) in Lake Rawa Pening 2019 - 2023 Using NDVI Algorithm on Google Earth Engine (GEE)

Abstract Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an aquatic plant that floats in freshwater waters that has the ability to grow very fast and is invasive. This plant is able to reproduce vegetatively and generatively and is able to double its population within two weeks so that it can endanger the ecosystem in the waters. The purpose of this research is to map the distribution pattern, dynamics of changes in vegetation density and changes in water hyacinth area with spatial-temporal techniques using remote sensing technology processed using GEE in Lake Rawa Pening. The satellite image used is Sentinel level-2A with high spatial resolution with a recording time of May 2019 - 2023. This study uses the NDVI method to measure the greenness of vegetation and help identify the density of water hyacinth vegetation. The results of the vegetation density index show that there are five classification for vegetation density levels, and the outcomes of the accuracy test that was conducted range from -0.15 to 0.94. obtained an overall accuracy of 86.6% and a kappa coefficient value of 0.81. These results show that the use of Sentinel 2A imagery can be used for vegetation density index mapping using the NDVI algorithm in GEE with a good level of accuracy and conformity between map and field and the image processing that has been done is appropriate.

The Late Pleistocene - Holocene meandering lower Garonne River, southwest France: Architecture of the valley fill and chronology, comparison with other European rivers

The architecture and chronology of Late Pleistocene to Holocene alluvial deposits in the lower Garonne have been studied in details based on data (boreholes, trenches, ground-penetrating radar profiles, numerical dating) collected in quarries and during archaeological surveys. The preserved alluvial bodies, dated between ca. 38 ka and present, show that the river retained a meandering or anabranching pattern throughout this period, associated with the formation of lateral accretion packages and scroll bars in the convexity of meanders. Valley incision in connection to the LGM low sea level reached up to 19 m in the study area, and occurred between ca. 26 and 18 ka. Since ca. 18 ka, the lateral migration of meanders widened the plain without any significant incision of the Oligocene marl bedrock. The Early-Middle Holocene was characterized by the development of highly sinuous meanders, while sinuosity decreased in a late phase including the Little Ice Age. Comparison with other lowland European rivers shows that the persistence of a meandering or anabranching pattern during MIS 2 is not an isolated case. The documented examples are associated with rivers typified by low valley slope, or situated in southern regions unaffected by permafrost and characterized by dense vegetation. The latter conditions would not have led to a drastic change in river discharge and bedload transport during the Last Glacial, as was the case for more northerly rivers where braiding seems to have been common.

Flood Hazard Mapping in Cimandiri Watershed using Fuzzy Logic Method Based on Multi-Source Geospatial Datasets

Abstract Flood is a frequent disaster in the Cimandiri watershed. This is evidenced by the fact that during 2017-2022, 37 floods occurred in this area. This condition causes losses to the community and damage to the environmental ecosystem. Therefore, disaster management is needed to overcome and reduce the impact of this flood. One management that can be done is by mapping flood hazard areas. However, until now there is no map available that presents the flood hazard study area in the Cimandiri watershed. If available, the maps generally cover Regency, sub-Regency, or large-scale maps covering the entire territory of Indonesia. This condition causes deficiencies or misinformation on the map because the scale of the study is irrelevant. Based on this, this study attempts to conduct flood hazard mapping in the Cimandiri watershed with a scale of analysis of 100,000. This study uses fuzzy logic method to generate hazard maps based on spatial parameters, rainfall, distance from the river, elevation, slope, vegetation density, land cover, soil type, and topographic wetness. The results of this method produce a hazard map with a class range of 0 to 1, a class that is close to 1 means that it has a high level of hazard. To see the correctness of this map, a validation test was carried out using flood data from 2017-2022 which contained 37 flood event data. Based on the validation results, 86% of flood points are in the non-0 hazard class (low hazard), only 13% are incorrect because they are in the 0-hazard class.

Changes in the Spatial Patterns of Near‐Surface Soil Moisture and Environmental Controlling Factors Before and After a Landslide

ABSTRACTRain‐induced landslides are common natural disturbances in forested headwaters that can strongly alter the spatial distributions of hydrological and environmental features. Although many studies have reported the impacts of landslides on the spatial patterns of soil moisture or their environmental controls, studies that have used detailed in situ data sets collected at the same location before and after a landslide are lacking. This study investigated the spatial distribution pattern of the near‐surface soil moisture and environmental controls, including topographic, soil and vegetation features, in a headwater catchment using ground‐based measurements with high spatial resolution after a landslide in 2016. The data set was compared to measurements taken at the same location before the landslide to explore whether the landslide altered the amount, spatial distribution, or potential controlling factors of near‐surface soil moisture. The mean soil moisture decreased across the site after the landslide, even under conditions of greater rainfall input than before the landslide. Spatial variation in soil moisture decreased in the high‐disturbance area but increased in the low‐disturbance area, although autocorrelation distances of soil moisture changed little. The relationships between the spatial mean and standard deviation of soil moisture markedly changed from a convex‐upward shape to a convex‐downward shape in the highly disturbed area. This indicates that the spatial mean of soil moisture exhibited its greatest spatial variation under moderate conditions before the landslide, with the lowest spatial variation occurring after the landslide. Most of the same controlling factors (i.e., slope gradient, topographic wetness index, vegetation density, soil porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity) were explored after the landslide, but their influence levels greatly decreased or even disappeared. Thus, the landslide weakened the spatial connectedness between soil moisture and environmental features, which has not yet been restored 6 years after the landslide. We suggest that the connectedness between hydrological responses and environmental features is crucial for restoration. Their connectedness can serve as an indicator to identify the stage of ecological succession from the disturbances of a landslide.

Vegetation, temperature, and Indian Summer Monsoon evolution over the past 4400 years revealed by a pollen record from Drigo Co on the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Understanding the changes in temperature and precipitation on the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), which is influenced by the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM), is crucial for predicting possible future changes in the regional ecological environment under ongoing climate change. However, due to the lack of well-dated, high-resolution paleoclimate records, the trends of temperature and ISM precipitation on the southern QTP since the mid-Holocene are poorly understood. We present a high-resolution pollen record from Dirgo Co, on the southern QTP, spanning the past 4400 years. The decrease in the pollen ratio of Artemisia to Cyperaceae (A/Cy) indicates a downward shift of altitudinal vegetation belts in the Drigo Co area over the past 4400 years, suggesting falling temperatures; and decreases in tree pollen percentages indicate the gradual weakening of the ISM. Our pollen record also indicates five cold phases with the near-simultaneous weakening of the monsoon, during: 4300–4100 cal yr BP, 3600–3400 cal yr BP, 2800–2600 cal yr BP, 1600–1400 cal yr BP, and 700–100 cal yr BP, and these climate anomalies were also recorded elsewhere on the QTP. We suggest that the changes in temperature and ISM intensity on the southern QTP over the past 4400 years were modulated by changes in summer insolation and solar activity. These changes affected the sea surface temperature (SST) over the tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, and they were linked to a positive phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which weakened the ISM intensity in the Drigo Co area. Additionally, due to increased evaporation related to high temperatures, combined with intensified grazing activities over the past ∼200 years, the lake level has fallen, and the vegetation cover has decreased. As global temperatures continue to rise, the alpine steppe in the Drigo Co area may increase and the vegetation density may gradually decrease, and at the same time the regional ecological environment may gradually deteriorate.

Vegetation density is the main driver of insect species richness and diversity in small private urban front gardens

Urbanisation changes natural ecosystems and vegetation to urban green spaces, and causes insect communities to experience novel challenges for survival. New evidence suggests that urban green spaces, no matter how small, can provide meaningful habitats for insects. Information on design and management of small gardens (<6m2) in dense urban areas is still scarce. In particular, it is hardly known which garden designs provide most benefits to insects. We surveyed 65 small urban façade gardens (μ=1.7m2) in Amsterdam and The Hague in The Netherlands and measured various garden attributes that are expected to be relevant for general, flower-visiting and herbivorous insect species richness and diversity. Plant coverage and richness were the strongest predictors of insect biodiversity and species richness. We found no support for associations with native plants or garden size. Synthesis and applicationsTo strengthen insect biodiversity in the urban environment, we recommend future design of urban green spaces to focus on maximising coverage and richness of vegetation. Although there are advantages to using native species, we acknowledge that garden owners often prefer exotic species. Some of these can also affect insect diversity and abundances positively.