Search Results (117)

Landscape quality and the productivity of $\mathit{Rhododendron\; simsii}$ are directly related to the maintenance of ecological functions in the alpine region. The specific relationship between the spatial pattern of colour patches and the visual quality of R. simsii landscape recreational forests has been insufficiently explored. In this study, we constructed a model of the relationship between landscape colour patches and the aesthetic value of such a forest, analysing the key factors driving changes in its landscape quality. A total of 1549 participants were asked to assess 16 groups of landscape photographs. The results showed that variations in perceived aesthetic quality were stimulated by colour patch dynamics and spatial heterogeneity. Utilising structural equation modelling (SEM), we identified key indicators synergistically influencing aesthetic quality, including the area percentage, shape, and distribution of colour patches, which demonstrated strong explanatory power ($R^2$ = 0.83). The SEM also revealed that the red patch area, mean perimeter area ratio, and separation index are critical latent variables with standardised coefficients of 0.54, 0.65, and 0.62, respectively. These findings provide actionable design strategies: (1) optimising chromatic contrast through high-saturation patches, (2) controlling geometric complexity, and (3) improving spatial coherence. These results advance the theoretical framework for landscape aesthetic evaluation and offer practical guidance for landscape recreational forest management. Full article

Traditional park designs no longer meet the diverse needs of young users amid rising visitor numbers and environmental challenges. Exploring the impact of mountain city parks on youth is crucial, yet localised studies on their spatial perceptions in such unique environments are lacking. Landscape design based on spatial perception evaluation offers a promising approach for renewing mountain parks to address these complex needs. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted in Chongqing’s Pipa Mountain and Eling Parks, involving questionnaire surveys and on-site spatial data collection. Using principal component analysis to select the visual and auditory indicators most related to environmental satisfaction in the overall park and various types of gathering spaces, the results showed that the first principal component of the visual environment in the entrance platform and key nodes (r = 0.41, r = 0.45), as well as the first principal component of the auditory environment in the entrance platform, path platform, and elevated points (r = 0.67, r = 0.85, r = 0.68), all showed significant positive correlations with environmental satisfaction (p < 0.01). Moreover, naturalness and aesthetics were identified as the main factors influencing environmental satisfaction. A random forest model analysed nonlinear relationships, ranking spatial factors by importance. Simultaneously, SHAP analysis highlighted the effects of key factors like elevation changes, green view index, colour diversity, and natural elements. Elevation changes were positively correlated with satisfaction at elevated points but showed a negative correlation in the overall park environment and other gathering spaces. This study explored space-perception dynamics in mountain city parks, proposing strategies to improve environmental quality in various gathering spaces and the park. These findings support creating liveable mountainous environments and guide “human-centred health,” quality enhancement, and sustainable development in renewing mountain city parks. Full article

Modular green wall, or living wall (LW) system, has evolved worldwide over the past decades as a popular green building feature and a nature-based solution. Differential climatic conditions across the globe make the standardisation of practices inapplicable to local scenarios. LW projects with differing goals and preferences like aesthetic (such as plant healthiness), water-saving, and minimal plant growth require optimal combinations of plant species to achieve single or multiple goals. This exploratory study aimed to deploy empirical field LW data to optimise analytical models to support plant species selection and LW design. Plant growth performance and water demand data of 29 commonly used plant species in outdoor modular LW systems without irrigation were collected in subtropical Hong Kong for 3 weeks. The 29 species tested were grouped into five plant forms: herbaceous perennials (16 spp), succulents (2 spp), ferns (2 spp), shrubs (7 spp), and trees (2 spp). Plant species-specific plant height, LAI, plant health rating, and water absorption amount were recorded every 6 days, together with photo records. Total water demand varied widely among plant species, ranging from 52.5 to 342.5 mL in 3 weeks (equivalent to 2.5 to 16.3 mL per day). The random forest algorithm proved that the water demand of the species was a dominant predictor of plant health tendency, among other parameters. Hierarchical clustering grouped plant species with similar water demand and health rating tendencies into four groups. The health rating threshold approach identified the top-performing species that displayed a healthy appearance as a basic prerequisite, coupled with one or two optional objectives: (1) water-saving and (2) slow-growing. The comparison among the plant selection scenarios based on projected LW performance (water demand, plant health, and growth) provided sound evidence for the optimisation of LW design for sustainability. LW projects with multiple objectives inherited a multitude of multi-scalar properties; thus, the simulation of LW performance in this study demonstrated a novel data-driven approach to optimise plant species selection and planting design with minimal resource input. Full article

Forests, as tourism resources with ecological and aesthetic value, play a significant role in rural development. Forest villages, which rely on forest resources, are an essential component of rural construction. Studying the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of national forest villages within provincial administrative areas provides valuable insights into the sustainable development of rural tourism and the achievement of rural revitalization goals. This study examines 125 national forest villages in Liaoning Province. Based on the data on the geographical locations of the villages and their related influencing factors collected during the period from May to December 2024, spatial indices such as the nearest neighbor index, Gini index, and kernel density have been analyzed using mathematical statistics and ArcGIS spatial analysis methods. Additionally, this research investigates various factors influencing the distribution of forests and rural areas, as well as the interaction mechanisms among these factors. The results indicate the following. (1) The spatial distribution of national forest villages in Liaoning Province is clustered and uneven, with a pattern of “dense in the east and west, sparse in the middle”. (2) The number of forest villages in Liaoning Province is generally positively correlated with forest coverage, temperature, rainfall, road network density, and river network density. Conversely, it is negatively correlated with economic development level, population density, total population, and altitude. (3) Geographical exploration results suggest that economic development level and forest coverage rate are the most significant factors affecting the spatial differentiation of forest and rural areas in Liaoning Province. Interaction analysis reveals that river network density and forest coverage rate have the strongest combined effect, followed by total economic output and forest coverage rate. Full article

Urban afforestation is increasingly regarded as a key strategy for fostering biodiversity to restore and enhance the ecosystem services needed to counteract the effects of climate change in built-up areas. In Italy, several experimental afforestation projects have been launched as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), focusing on cities or metropolitan areas such as Milan, Rome, Pistoia and Campobasso. These projects follow a multidisciplinary approach, integrating botanists, foresters, urban planners, landscape architects and remote sensing specialists. The goal is to address the challenging complexity of urban forest restoration through reforestation and afforestation actions. Key innovations include the integration of transdisciplinary methodologies (landscape analysis, landscape design, forest and plant ecology) with the application of advanced remote sensing technologies and participatory community engagement frameworks to address ecological and social challenges. Experimental plots have been set up across various urban areas, testing a range of planting schemes to maximise climate change resilience and ensure long-term ecological sustainability. Emphasis has been placed on selecting drought-tolerant and thermophilic species that are better adapted to widespread warming and local urban heat islands. ‘Biodiversity strips’ with perennial flowers for insects, shrubs with berries for birds and nests for wild bees and vertebrates have been set up to enhance biodiversity in new afforestation areas. Advanced monitoring tools, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and multi-sensor drones, have been employed alongside field observations to assess forest growth, species survival, structural complexity and biodiversity enhancement over time. Historical analyses of landscape patterns and ecological connectivity over the past 200 years, along with evaluations of afforestation projects from the last 70 years, have provided critical insights into the successes and challenges of previous interventions, serving as a guide for future efforts. By focusing on ecological connectivity, the integration of afforested areas into the urban matrix, and citizen engagement, the current project aims to align urban forestry efforts with sustainable development goals. This comprehensive project framework addresses environmental restoration and the social and aesthetic impacts on local communities, contributing to the overall resilience and well-being of urban and peri-urban ecosystems. Full article

Background: Orthodontic problems can affect vital quality of life functions, such as swallowing, speech sound production, and the aesthetic effect. Therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat these patients precisely. The main aim of this study is to introduce new classification methods for skeletal class I occlusion (SCIO) and skeletal class II malocclusion (SCIIMO) among Arab patients in Israel. We conducted hierarchical clustering to detect critical trends within malocclusion classes and applied machine learning (ML) models to predict classification outcomes. Methods: This study is based on assessing the lateral cephalometric parameters from the Center for Dentistry Research and Aesthetics based in Jatt, Israel. The study involved the encoded records of 394 Arab patients with diagnoses of SCIO/SCIIMO, according to the individualized ANB of Panagiotidis and Witt. After clustering analysis, an ML model was established by evaluating the performance of different models. Results: The clustering analysis identified three distinct clusters for each skeletal class (SCIO and SCIIMO). Among SCIO clusters, the results showed that in the second cluster, retrognathism of the mandible was less severe, as represented by a lower ANB angle. In addition, the third cluster had a lower NL-ML angle, gonial angle, SN-Ba angle, and lower ML-NSL angle compared to clusters 1 and 2. Among SCIIMO clusters, the results also showed that the second cluster has less severe retrognathism of the mandible, which is represented by a lower ANB angle and Calculated_ANB and a higher SNB angle (p < 0.05). The general ML model that included all measurements for patient classification showed a classification accuracy of 0.87 in the Random Forest and the Classification and Regression Tree models. Using ANB angle and Wits appraisal only in the ML, an accuracy of 0.78 (sensitivity = 0.80, specificity = 0.76) was achieved to classify patients as SCIO or SCIIMO. Conclusions: The clustering analysis revealed distinguished patterns that can be present within SCIO and SCIIMO patients, which can affect the diagnosis and treatment plan. In addition, the ML model can accurately diagnose SCIO/SCIIMO patients, which should improve precise diagnostics. Full article

Mining activities lead to significant environmental degradation, including soil erosion, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. In South Korea, abandoned coal mines cause considerable ecological disturbances in mountainous regions. Forest rehabilitation has been proposed as a strategy to mitigate these impacts, but its effectiveness depends on successfully integrating ecosystem services (ES). This study assesses the social value of ES in post-mining rehabilitation by incorporating perspectives from local communities and experts in forestry and mining sectors. A mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews was employed to gather stakeholder views on 18 ES, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and habitat services. Results indicate that local communities prioritize cultural and regulating services, such as mental health, aesthetic value, and climate regulation, while experts emphasize regulating services like soil erosion control and carbon sequestration. This divergence highlights the need for a balanced approach that integrates both ecological and socio-cultural benefits, suggesting that community needs have not been adequately reflected in current practices. The study findings underscore the importance of incorporating community input into forest management to ensure both ecological outcomes and social value, offering a framework for adaptive management that aligns ecological goals with community needs, ultimately promoting sustainability and resilience in post-mining landscapes. Full article

Amid global environmental degradation, understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics and trade-offs of ecosystem services (ESs) under varying land-use scenarios is critical for advancing the sustainable development of social–ecological systems. This study analyzed the Chaohu Lake Basin (CLB), focusing on four scenarios: natural development (ND), economic priority (ED), ecological protection (EP), and sustainable development (SD). Using the PLUS model and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA), land-use changes for 2030 were simulated, and their effects on ESs were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. The ND scenario led to significant declines in cropland (3.73%) and forest areas (0.18%), primarily due to construction land expansion. The EP scenario curbed construction land growth, promoted ecosystem recovery, and slightly increased cropland by 0.05%. The SD scenario achieved a balance between ecological and economic goals, maintaining relative stability in ES provision. Between 2010 and 2020, construction land expansion, mainly concentrated in central Hefei City, led to a marked decline in habitat quality (HQ) and landscape aesthetics (LA), whereas water yield (WY) and soil retention (SR) improved. K-means clustering analysis identified seven ecosystem service bundles (ESBs), revealing significant spatial heterogeneity. Bundles 4 through 7, concentrated in mountainous and water regions, offered high biodiversity maintenance and ecological regulation. In contrast, critical ES areas in the ND and ED scenarios faced significant encroachment, resulting in diminished ecological functions. The SD scenario effectively mitigated these impacts, maintaining stable ES provision and ESB distribution. This study highlights the profound effects of different land-use scenarios on ESs, offering insights into sustainable planning and ecological restoration strategies in the CLB and comparable regions. Full article

The core of the cultural services of ecosystems (CESs) is the spiritual connection between humans and nature, and participatory mapping from the stakeholder perspective is an effective method for perceiving and protecting hotspot CES areas. This study used participatory mapping combined with 184 interviews and questionnaires, completed on 10 December 2023, to investigate the perceptions of CESs in Taibai Mountain National Forest Park by different stakeholder groups; spatial and correlation analyses were used to comparatively analyze the characteristics of the differences in the perceptions of CESs among different stakeholders, the influencing factors, and their spatial distribution patterns. The results show that (1) there is a positive correlation between the literacy level of external stakeholders and the perception of CESs, and there is no significant difference between the differences in the other demographic characteristics of stakeholders (gender, age, occupation, and literacy level) in the perception of CESs. (2) Different stakeholders have convergent perceptions of spiritual and religious values, cultural heritage values, educational values, and inspirational values, whereas there are greater differences in the perceptions of aesthetic values, ecological and recreational values, and local identity values. (3) Different stakeholders of the same CES are strongly correlated, and there is no correlation between spiritual and religious values and other values and no correlation between recreational and ecotourism values and educational and cultural heritage values; however, there is a correlation between all other subcultural services. It is important to fully identify and consider the characteristics of the differences in the perceptions of different stakeholders in CESs to enhance the regional planning and scenic area service function in the study area. Full article

Findings from monitoring Greek fir forests in central Greece regarding radial growth, insect infestations, plant communities, and climate response have highlighted the urgent need for expanded field research to address critical conservation challenges within the fir forest ecosystem on Giona and Parnassus mountains. This underscores the urgency of adopting measures to mitigate the impacts of both abiotic and biotic factors. Our findings so far, encompassing biometric data, tree ring analysis, observations on plant communities, climatic response, and insect infestations—primarily Choristoneura murinana (European Bud Moth)—across various stands on the mountain, have revealed significant local infestations of varying degrees. In many instances, these infestations were detected in adult trees, particularly in sunny areas or near country roads. Furthermore, our research has revealed the varied ability of the fir trees to adapt to both minor and significant climatic variations. The proposed research aims to monitor, preserve, and protect the fir trees, utilizing new knowledge for informed decision-making in their management. The project’s scope includes studying the growth characteristics of the fir forest, mitigating threats from biological factors (primarily the moth Choristoneura murinana-Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) by involving pheromones and other biological methods, promoting natural regeneration, preserving biodiversity, and evaluating the water status of the fir trees in response to climate change. Investigating their interactions and understanding the ecosystem’s status concerning the previously mentioned aspects is a significant priority for biological and genetic diversity, landscape aesthetics, recreation, and sustainable regional development (with economic impacts on local beekeepers and guesthouse owners). The evaluation of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy in Greece has shown partial or minimal progress in addressing new threats and challenges, as well as in promoting new approaches. The proposed project, with specific actions, aligns with the spirit of the National Biodiversity Strategy and contributes to the strategy goals within the framework of conservation, restoration, and the strengthening of nationwide enhancement actions. Full article

Urban and peri-urban forests serve as significant drivers, conferring benefits to humans through engagement with their ecosystems. These benefits encompass recreation, cognitive development, introspection, the acquisition of knowledge systems, social relations, and aesthetic values. The aim of this study is to examine the urban and peri-urban ecosystem services by offering new insights into visitors’ perspectives on the recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual values of forests in the city of Timișoara and its peri-urban area. The study focuses on two forests: Padurea Verde, the largest forest in Timișoara, and the Giroc Forest, one of the most frequently visited forest areas in the peri-urban zone of Timișoara. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted with visitors to the two selected forests in September 2024. The findings indicate that visitors derive benefits from the ecosystem values of these forests, including recreational, aesthetic, and cultural values. However, there are also feelings of disappointment related to the lack of cleanliness and the presence of an excessive number of stray dogs in the forests. The findings also indicate a necessity for the implementation of organized activities, such as sports competitions and more children-oriented events, while discouraging the organization of festivals and the excessive use of noise in forests. Furthermore, they suggest that forests should be maintained in a relatively undisturbed state. These findings could prove beneficial as future perspectives for local practitioners, enabling the continued provision of complex ecosystem services and recreational values by urban and peri-urban forests. Full article

Urban inland rivers are closely related to urban development, but high-density urbanisation has reduced the natural function of streams and the riverbanks are hardened into two parts, embankment walls and berms, which give rise to a variety of riparian landscapes. However, the difference in the height of riparian walkways affects the degree of their greening and landscape effects. In this paper, we studied single- and double-decker urban greenways, constructed quantitative indicators of spatial elements based on deep learning algorithms using an image semantic segmentation (ISS) model that simulates human visual perception, used random forests and multivariate linear regression models to study the impact of the height difference of the linear riverfront greenway on visual perception, clarified the impact of the visual landscape differences caused by different types of space on landscape aesthetic preferences (LP) and confirmed the impact of the specific extent to which landscape components influence preferences. The results of the study showed that there were significant differences in landscape perception scores between the single and double layers. (1) The influence of WED (negative correlation) and NI (positive correlation) is large in the single-layer greenway. The colour, material and structure of the guardrail can be beautified and diversified and the quality of the greenery can be taken into account to maintain the visibility of the greenery in order to improve the score of the single-layer greenway. (2) The significant influence of BVI in the double-layered greenway is positive. Water-friendly or water-viewing spaces can be added appropriately to improve the landscape score of double-layered greenways. This study is applicable to the regional landscape feature identification of single- and double-decker greenways on large-scale urban hard barge bank images, which realises the whole-region feature identification of a large-scale human perspective and is an effective expansion of analysis techniques for sustainable landscape planning and the design of riparian greenways. Full article

With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, the importance of the user experience and product sustainability requirements for intelligent charging stations has become increasingly significant. However, accurately capturing the complex associations between design features and sustainability elements remains challenging. Therefore, this study aims to balance user needs and environmental standards in designing smart charging piles, ensuring adherence to symmetry principles. This balance addresses the growing demand for personalization and ensures sustainability. In this paper, the semiotic approach to product construction (SAPAD) model is introduced to analyze the user behavioral process in depth and clarify the core needs of users. Subsequently, these core needs are translated into specific technical requirements for products, and a correlation matrix linking user needs with product technical requirements is constructed using fuzzy quality function deployment (FQFD) to identify design features that fulfill the user requirements. The sustainability factors are then comprehensively evaluated and prioritized based on three dimensions: economic, environmental, and social, i.e., the triple bottom line (TBL). Furthermore, a mapping matrix is developed to connect the design features and sustainability factors, which is combined with the particle swarm optimization–random forest (PSO-RF) algorithm to predict the sustainability factors associated with design features that meet users’ needs. The number of branches m and the maximum depth d of the random forest (RF) algorithm are optimized using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method. The results indicate that the SAPAD-FQFD model effectively identifies the user needs and relevant product design features. In contrast, the PSO-RF model adeptly manages the nonlinear relationships between charging pile design features and various sustainability factors, e.g., aesthetics and material selection, ensuring that the intelligent charging pile meets users’ core needs in terms of form and function, while embodying the principles of design symmetry. This integrated approach effectively bridges the gap between user needs analysis and product functional design, ensuring the sustainability of the design solution. This study contributes a sustainable framework for the development and design of smart charging piles and related products, further promoting the adoption of green design principles and symmetry design concepts within the supporting infrastructure of new energy vehicles. Full article

This study focuses on Xuanwu Lake Park and Purple Mountain National Forest Park in Nanjing to explore the impact of leisure furniture as a single landscape element on the visual landscape evaluation and sustainable tourism experience. In previous studies, researchers paid more attention to the overall beauty of landscape and its impact on tourists’ experiences, and there was a lack of studies on the role of a single landscape element (such as leisure furniture) in enhancing landscape beauty and tourists’ experiences. This study addresses gaps in the literature by isolating leisure furniture from other landscape elements in order to assess its unique contribution to aesthetic appeal and the various dimensions of a sustainable tourism experience, including sensory, emotional, cognitive, and operational aspects. Using Schmitt’s five-dimensional Strategic Experiential Model as the framework and combining the dual methods of visual assessments and visitor surveys, an assessment team consisting of 40 members was formed to evaluate the visual landscape of leisure furniture in two major scenic spots, and 492 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed to study the impact of leisure furniture on tourists’ experiences. The findings reveal that leisure furniture significantly enhances visitors’ aesthetic evaluations and sensory experiences at Xuanwu Lake National Forest Park. However, suboptimally designed leisure furniture at Purple Mountain National Forest Park negatively affects both the visual appeal and sensory experience of visitors. Nevertheless, in both locations, leisure furniture positively impacts emotional and operational experiences, highlighting its role in promoting relaxation and interaction among visitors. This study provides practical insights for landscape designers and urban planners regarding the importance of carefully designing and positioning leisure furniture to optimize aesthetic and experiential outcomes. It also provides certain enlightenment and insights for future exploration of the impacts of other landscape elements (such as vegetation, water, lighting, etc.) on visual landscape evaluations and visitors’ experiences. Full article

Urban forest parks offer valuable spaces for walking activities that benefit both physical and mental health. However, trails in current park designs are often underutilised, and the scene layout does not fully meet the preferences of walkers. Therefore, understanding the connection between scene characteristics and walking preferences is essential. This study aimed to develop an ensemble protocol to assess the role of scene characteristics in walking preferences, using Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park as an illustrative example. A walking preference heat map was created using a combination of crowdsourced GPS data. The scene characteristics were quantified using panoramic photographs, drone orthophotos, computer vision, and deep learning techniques. Taking spatial dependence into account, the key findings include the following: (1) From an overhead view, the shortest paths, waterbody density, and recreational facility selection positively influenced walking preferences, while secondary asphalt trails had a negative effect. (2) At the eye level, aesthetically pleasing landscape elements, such as flowers and bridges, attracted more pedestrians, while closed trails were less favoured. (3) Eye-level features explained 43.5% of the variation in walking preference, with a stronger influence on walking preference compared to 22.4% for overhead features. (4) Natural elements were generally more significant than artificial ones; the feature ranking of significant impact was flowers > NACHr1000 > visual perception > water body density > bridge > SVF > retail > entertainment > asphalt. This study proposes a flexible protocol that provides urban forest park managers and planners with practical tools to create a more walker-friendly environment and more accurate trail alignment, as well as a solid empirical basis for assessing the use of urban forest parks. Full article