Search Results (101)

Amid the increasing complexity of urban risks, urban parks not only serve ecological and recreational functions but are increasingly becoming a critical spatial foundation supporting public psychological resilience and social recovery. This study aims to systematically evaluate the daily adaptability of urban parks in the context of micro-risks. The research integrates the theories of “restorative environments,” environmental safety perception, urban resilience, and social ecology to construct a five-dimensional framework for perceived resilience, encompassing resilience, safety, sociability, controllability, and adaptability. Additionally, a dynamic feedback mechanism of perception–behavior–reperception is introduced. Methodologically, the study utilizes the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) to identify 17 core indicators, constructs a causal structure and weighting system using DEMATEL-based ANP (DANP), and further employs the VIKOR model to simulate public preferences in a multi-criteria decision-making process. Taking three representative urban parks in Guangzhou as empirical case studies, the research identifies resilience and adaptability as key driving dimensions of the system. Factors such as environmental psychological resilience, functional diversity, and visual permeability show a significant path influence and priority intervention value. The empirical results further reveal significant spatial heterogeneity and group differences in the perceived resilience across ecological, neighborhood, and central park types, highlighting the importance of context-specific and user-adaptive strategies. The study finally proposes four optimization pathways, emphasizing the role of feedback mechanisms in enhancing urban park resilience and shaping “cognitive-friendly” spaces, providing a systematic modeling foundation and strategic reference for perception-driven urban public space optimization. Full article

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the historic degradation of urban water systems, has prompted cities worldwide to reconsider the role of water in urban planning. This study examines the restoration and integration of historical watercourses into contemporary urban environments through blue and green infrastructure (BGI). Focusing on three case study cities—Poznań (Poland), Milan (Italy), and Beijing (China)—this research explores both spatial and regulatory conditions for reintroducing surface water into cityscapes. Utilizing historical maps, contemporary land use data, and spatial planning documents, this study applies a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) to assess restoration potential. The selected case studies, including the redesign of Park Rataje in Poznań, canal daylighting projects in Milan, and the multifunctional design of Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park, illustrate diverse approaches to ecological revitalization. The findings emphasize that restoring or recreating urban water systems can enhance urban resilience, ecological connectivity, and the quality of public space. Full article

Intensive farming in urban suburbs often causes habitat loss, soil erosion, wastewater discharge, and agricultural productivity decline, threatening long-term benefits for the local community. We developed a nature-based solution for sustainable land restoration by establishing “Green Treasure Island” (GTI). The aim of this study is to evaluate the ecological restoration effectiveness of GTI and explore its feasibility and replicability for future applications. The core eco-functional zone of GTI—a 7 hm² forested wetland—embedded a closed-loop framework that integrates land consolidation, ecological restoration, and sustainable land utilization. The forested wetland efficiently removed 65% and 74% of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, raised flood control capacity by 22%, and attracted 48 bird species. Additionally, this biophilic recreational space attracted over 3400 visitors in 2022, created green jobs, and promoted local green agricultural product sales. Through adaptive management and nature education activities, GTI evolved into a landmark that represents local natural–social characteristics and serves as a publicly accessible natural park for both rural and urban residents. This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating GTI for improving ecosystem services, providing a practical, low-cost template that governments and local managers can replicate in metropolitan rural areas worldwide to meet both ecological and development goals. Full article

Currently, studies in green infrastructure have developed different wetland park value evaluation systems, and various criteria to measure urban economic development have been proposed. However, these criteria are not widely adopted, and there is a lack of investigation on the relationship between wetland parks and urban economic development. The existing literature indicates that the specific impact factors of wetland parks on urban economic development have not been further explored. Therefore, this study builds on previous theoretical research to develop a conceptual model with 12 hypotheses, followed by a questionnaire survey method to obtain data. The questions have been developed for each of five variables in the conceptual model to validate the research hypotheses that have been contextually modified according to the uniqueness of different wetland parks based on previous classic scales, namely, ecological value, recreational value, resource attraction, a diversified industrial structure, and economic expectation. This study aims to investigate how wetland parks promote urban economic health through ecological value and recreational value, particularly their indirect role in fostering diversified industrial structure, resource attraction, and economic expectations. Structural equation modeling with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 26.0 and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 24.0 has been used for validating the hypotheses. The findings in this paper highlight that recreational value has the most significant impact on a diversified industrial structure that, in turn, has a highly significant positive impact on both resource attraction and economic expectations. In addition, the influence of ecological value on urban economic outcomes largely depends on recreational value as a mediator. Two significant impact pathways have been further identified: (1) from ecological value, recreational value, and a diversified industrial structure to resource attraction; and (2) from ecological value, recreational value, and a diversified industrial structure to economic expectations. Further, the managers and developers of wetland parks need to fully preserve the ecological value of the parks and optimize their recreational value before embarking on new development projects. The theoretical contribution of this paper lies in uncovering the direct and indirect effects of ecological value and recreational value on diversified industrial structure and resource attraction, emphasizing the crucial role of recreational value in driving economic diversification. The practical implications are reflected in providing concrete pathways and strategies for urban planners and policymakers to optimize the ecological and recreational value of wetland parks, thereby promoting urban economic development. Full article

This study examines the morphology and development of Dobreștilor–Brusturet Cave, located in the Brusturet gorge at the western edge of the Bran–Dragoslavele Corridor, an important tourist route in the Romanian Carpathians. The research aims to analyze the geomorphological characteristics and establish the heritage value of the Dobreştilor Cave geomorphosite, supporting protection efforts for invertebrate species that led to the cave’s designation as a natural monument. The inventory of physical features prompted the Piatra Craiului National Park Scientific Council to consider including this speleological site in a thematic geotourism circuit called “The Road of Gorges and Caves in the Upper Basin of the Dâmbovițean”, integrated within protected areas. This represents the first geomorphological study of the cave. Given its ecological significance within the national park’s strict protection zone, recreational tourism is prohibited. The cave should only be used as a geotourism resource for scientific research and education. Morphogenetic analysis reveals that the cave has evolved in a vadose hydrological regime since the Pleistocene, with cavity expansion influenced by free-flowing water alternating with that under pressure during torrential episodes, concomitant with the precipitation of calcium carbonate that formed various speleothems. This research supports documentation for promotional materials and could assist local authorities in the Dâmbovicioara commune with geotourism development decisions, potentially integrating the site into a proposed “Moieciu–Fundata–Dâmbovicioara–Rucăr Geological and Geomorphological Complex”. Full article

This paper examines the various functions of urban parks in the city of Novi Sad (Serbia). This study’s respondents were landscape architecture students, and the methodology employed was a survey, which was subsequently analyzed using multiple statistical tests. This paper explores the different roles that urban parks in Novi Sad play, such as aesthetic, ecological, recreational, psychological, economic, and educational functions. The analysis also includes an assessment of the correlation between the scores for each function and visitors’ habits and behaviors (e.g., frequency and duration of visits). Together, these findings provide detailed insight into the current state of urban park functions in Novi Sad and highlight how these functions relate to visitors’ experiences. The results obtained are valuable for enhancing both the quality of park visits and the overall functionality of urban parks. This paper also provides recommendations for future research, including potential methodologies to be applied and directions for a more detailed assessment of ecological functions. Full article

Urban green spaces face increasing pressure to reconcile ecological conservation with rising public demand as urbanization accelerates. Yet the spatial coupling of human needs and natural provisioning in the urban–rural fringe remains insufficiently understood. Focusing on the country park cluster in Beijing’s Huitian region, this study develops an integrated assessment framework—combining ecological importance, ecological connectivity potential, construction suitability, and recreational demand—to evaluate nature suitability and pinpoint spatial mismatches in human–nature interactions. Ecological importance is quantified through ecological sensitivity analysis and InVEST-based habitat-quality modeling, while ecological connectivity potential is estimated via normalized least-cost corridor analysis. Construction suitability is derived from the proportion of artificial surfaces and road network density, and recreational demand is measured by population concentration, facility density, and transport accessibility. These metrics are synthesized to map nature-suitability patterns and reveal divergences between human demand and ecological provisioning. The results show a pronounced north–south gradient in ecological importance, with Dongxiaokou Ditch and Dongxiaokou Forest Park emerging as ecological hotspots. Nineteen ecological source patches are identified, with the strongest connectivity in the southern sector of Dongxiaokou Forest Park. Areas of high construction suitability coincide with well-developed infrastructure, whereas recreational demand clusters around Tiantongyuan and Beiqing Road. Natural and artificial elements intertwine to form an ecological core of 870.74 hm², yet 13.29% of the study area exhibits mismatches—particularly residential zones lacking green-space access. Over-development within Dongxiaokou Urban Recreation Park likewise falls short of ecological expectations. The study offers targeted recommendations—ecological protection, facility optimization, green-space enhancement, and the integration of multifunctional green infrastructure—and provides a transferable framework for coordinating human and natural systems in other urban–rural fringe contexts. Full article

With rapid urbanization, enhancing the quality of public spaces is critical to residents’ well-being and sustainable urban development. However, user perceptions of these spaces remain insufficiently quantified. This study introduces a perception-based evaluation framework encompassing four dimensions: service, spatial, cultural, and aesthetic. A three-dimensional importance-performance analysis (3-D IPA) model is applied to assess two multifunctional public spaces in Wuhan—the Citizens’ Home (CH) and the Creative World Industrial Park (CWIP)—with the aim of identifying user-prioritized attributes that inform sustainable design interventions. The findings reveal the following: (1) At CH, spatial perception (importance = 3.93; performance = 4.02) received the highest ratings, particularly for openness and ecological pavement, highlighting areas for green infrastructure improvement. (2) At CWIP, cultural perception (importance = 3.75; performance = 3.73) dominated, with a need to enhance the signage systems and cultural integration for greater place identity. (3) Optimization priorities included energy-efficient lighting, entrance enhancements, and recreational layout improvements at CH, and thematic diversity and wayfinding systems at CWIP. (4) The 3-D IPA framework effectively identifies user-perceived priorities and supports experience-driven, resource-conscious spatial improvements. This study provides a user-centered, data-informed approach for evaluating and optimizing urban public spaces, offering practical strategies to align spatial quality with long-term sustainability goals. Full article

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented globally to protect marine habitats and enhance biodiversity, often displacing commercial and recreational fishing activities previously occurring in the area. While the ecological impacts of MPAs have been the subject of considerable attention, the economic impacts on the displaced sectors have generally received less consideration. In this study, we examine the impacts of increasing the proportion of fully protected area within a coastal MPA—the Moreton Bay Marine Park in Queensland, Australia—on the economic performance of the fisheries operating in the area. This MPA is relatively unique as it is located adjacent to a major metropolitan area and, hence, heavily used for a range of activities. Analysis of commercial catch data suggests that the commercial fishery has been less impacted than expected by the loss of available area, although this result varies by species. Comparing fishing activity in the Bay with that in adjacent regions (assumed to reflect the counterfactual), we find evidence of strong improvements in fishery performance of the prawn trawl fleet, no significant change in fish net and line fisheries, and a small but significant decline in the performance of crab fishers. The impact on recreational fishing is uncertain as other external factors obfuscate the impacts of the rezoning. Full article

The “Parks for Peace” concept represents transboundary protected areas with ecological, cultural, and economic significance that can transcend geopolitical and ideological differences. Despite the global proliferation of these conservation models, China lacks officially designated peace parks and comprehensive development frameworks in this domain. This research addresses this gap through rigorous methodological approaches. The study conducts fieldwork in existing parks for peace and border national parks, collecting data through field observation, open-ended interviews, and informal conversations. The case analysis method is employed to analyze spatial relationships across different border contexts comparatively. This comparative analysis explores the feasibility of transboundary national parks by examining development bottlenecks, deconstructing rigid border narratives, and assessing long-term cultural benefits. Based on empirical findings, the research proposes a context-appropriate framework for Chinese border national parks encompassing four dimensions: establishing a transfrontier national park system, implementing multi-stakeholder governance mechanisms, building consensus around park cultural values, and developing transboundary recreational infrastructure. Full article

Urban parks are vital for providing cultural ecosystem services (CESs) to residents. However, few studies have explored sex-based differences in CES demand, particularly within mountainous urban parks. This study aimed to elucidate sex-based differences in the perceptions and preferences for CESs and landscape elements and explore their relationship in mountainous urban parks. Using value-labeled photographs from an equal number of male and female volunteer visits to Eling Park in Chongqing, China, the SolVES model was employed to investigate the relationship between sex-specific perceptions of CESs and landscape elements. The results showed that males preferred slopes and steps, garden facilities, and recreation facilities, whereas females preferred overlooks that offer multiple CES values, including science and ecological education, and aesthetic and cultural heritage values. Females perceived social relational value at the lotus pond and Kansheng Tower, whereas males perceived inspirational value at Kansheng Tower, the entrance, and the cliffside path. Males linked inspirational value to fort-like ridges and cliffs. Females associated inspirational value with slopes and steps. Based on the findings, the study recommends enhancing CESs specific to mountainous landscapes and incorporating sex-sensitive design elements. Ultimately, these efforts aim to position parks as key components of urban sustainable development, promoting overall resident well-being. Full article

National parks play a vital role in safeguarding natural scenery, maintaining ecological integrity, and preserving cultural heritage, while simultaneously offering valuable opportunities for recreation and education. Among the diverse resources provided by national parks, visual landscape resources hold particular significance due to their capacity to inspire, educate, and enhance aesthetic appreciation. However, assessing and managing these resources remain challenging, as they span both the physical attributes of the landscape and the human visual perception process. This study aims to develop a theoretical and practical framework for evaluating the “landscape visual affordance” of national parks. Grounded in ecological psychology’s affordance theory, the proposed approach integrates physical affordance and sensory affordance, encompassing both the objective physical attributes of the landscape and the subjective processes of human perception. Drawing on a multi-dimensional set of indicators, the research quantifies physical features—such as topography, land use, vegetation cover, and landscape structure—as well as sensory dimensions, including visibility, visual prominence, and viewing frequency. These elements are synthesized into a landscape visibility assessment model built upon the affordance theory framework. The results demonstrate that landscape visual affordance effectively identifies landscape patches with varying degrees of visual quality and importance within national parks and other protected areas. By providing robust support for management decisions—such as zoned protection, optimizing recreational facilities, and evaluating visitor carrying capacity—this model offers new insights and practical guidance for the sustainable planning and management of landscapes in national parks and other ecologically critical regions. Full article

Urban greenspaces, including residential parks and conservation areas, provide ecological and recreational benefits. This study reports mosquito surveillance and blood meal analysis data from greenspaces in Vero Beach, Florida. It also compares mosquito assemblages and host associations across residential and conservation greenspaces to assess how greenspace type impacts mosquito abundance and host interactions. Using CO₂-baited traps and large-diameter aspirators, mosquitoes were collected over 26 sampling weeks (February–December 2023) yielding over 19,000 female mosquitoes from 32 species. Although mosquito species richness and community composition were similar across greenspace types, relative abundance of some key vector and nuisance species differed significantly. For example, Aedes taeniorhynchus was more common in preserved coastal wetland greenspaces, while Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were more common in residential greenspaces. Generalized linear models revealed the impacts of climatic variables on the abundance of many key mosquito species. Blood meal analyses showed that host associations did not vary significantly by greenspace type, suggesting stable mosquito–host interactions across the landscape. These results highlight that greenspaces are not uniform in their mosquito species composition. Further studies on the effects of different greenspace types on mosquito communities can help to identify urban landscape features that minimize mosquito-borne disease risk. Full article

The realization of natural resource value serves as a critical entry point for advancing rural revitalization within the framework of ecological civilization construction, representing an essential approach to balancing ecological conservation and economic development in national parks. Based on clarifying the logical relationship and the driving mechanisms between the realization of natural resource value and rural revitalization, this paper employs field observation and in-depth interviews using Baishanzu National Park as a case study to analyze how general control zones in national parks can promote rural revitalization under ecological constraints through the realization of natural resource value. The results indicate the following: (1) By constructing a framework of “realistic background—pathway selection—model condensation—effectiveness analysis”, the mechanism of how natural resource value realization promotes rural revitalization can be analyzed, with a focus on its pathways and models. (2) The pathways for realizing natural resource value to promote rural revitalization include resource integration, investment development, capital production and operation, and the circulation and exchange of ecological products and services. These pathways contribute to various dimensions of rural revitalization at different stages: assetization, capitalization, productization, and monetization. (3) Within different functional zones of the general control area in national parks, including ecological restoration zones, traditional utilization zones, and recreation and exhibition zones, the value of natural resources can promote rural revitalization through three realization modes: preservation, transformation, and value-added enhancement, reflecting diverse approaches and differentiated outcomes of value realization. To comprehensively promote rural revitalization in national parks through the realization of natural resource value, it is first necessary to fully identify regional resource endowments, conservation objectives, and developmental constraints. Second, regional resources should be integrated to pursue synergistic innovation. Finally, attention must be paid to achieving comprehensive benefits for sustainable development. The research findings provide valuable references for the high-quality development of national parks and rural revitalization. Full article

The European catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758) was introduced into the Ebro Basin in Spain in 1974 for recreational fishing. Since then, the species has spread throughout the country’s river basins, reaching the Iznájar Reservoir (Guadalquivir River Basin) in 2011. This area is of great ecological and economic relevance, especially as it includes the Doñana National Park, one of the most important nature reserves in Europe. Recently, the presence of catfish has been reported in the lower reaches of the river. In this work, we used non-invasive vertical and horizontal hydroacoustic surveys and environmental DNA river sampling to unravel the actual distribution and dispersal pattern of the species in the lower Guadalquivir River. The hydroacoustic profiles and the species-specific detections by real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) showed that these non-invasive methods allow the detection and quantification of catfish and provide valuable information on the species’ presence. We have confirmed the presence of catfish in most of the study area, including downstream areas of the Guadalquivir Basin. The results suggest the possibility of other isolated introductions and/or human-mediated movements of specimens, and imply that a coordinated catfish prevention and mitigation strategy is therefore urgently needed. Full article