Search Results (221)

Forests are considered one of the most valuable natural areas in metropolitan region landscapes. Considering the sensitivity and ecosystem services provided by trees, the definition of urban forest ecosystems is nowadays based on a comprehensive understanding of the entire urban ecosystem. The effective capturing of particulate matter is one of the ecosystem services provided by urban forests. These ecosystems function as efficient biological filters. Plants accumulate pollutants passively via their leaves. Therefore, another ecosystem service provided by city forests could be the use of tree organs as bioindicators of pollution. This paper aims to estimate differences in trace metal pollution between the wooded urban areas of Vienna and Krakow using leaves of evergreen and deciduous trees as biomonitors. An additional objective of the research was to assess the ability of the applied tree species to act as biomonitors. Plant samples of five species—Norway spruce, Scots pine, European larch, common white birch, and common beech—were collected within both areas, in seven locations: four in the “Wienerwald” Vienna forest (Austria) and three in the “Las Wolski” forest in Krakow (Poland). Concentrations of Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn in plant material were determined. Biomonitoring studies with deciduous and coniferous tree leaves showed statistically higher heavy metal contamination in the “Las Wolski” forest compared to the “Wienerwald” forest. Based on the conducted analyses and the literature study, it can be concluded that among the analyzed tree species, only two: European beech and common white birch can be considered potential indicators in environmental studies. These species appear to be suitable bioindicators, as both are widespread in urban woodlands of Central Europe and have shown the highest accumulation levels of trace metals. Full article

As an ecological transition zone, the ecosystem of the Qin River Basin in the middle reaches of the Yellow River is of great significance to the regional ecological balance. With the rapid socio-economic development, land use changes are significant, and the spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystems are evolving. Exploring its dynamics and driving mechanisms is crucial to the ecological protection and sustainable development of watersheds. This research systematically examines the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of ecosystem patterns in the middle Yellow River’s Qin River Basin (1990–2020). Quantitative assessments integrating ecosystem transition metrics and redundancy analysis reveal three critical insights: (1) dominance of agricultural land and woodland (74.81% combined coverage), with grassland (18.58%) and other land types (6.61%) constituting secondary components; (2) dynamic interconversion between woodland and grassland accompanied by urban encroachment on agricultural land, manifesting as net reductions in woodland (−13.74%), farmland (−6.60%), and wetland (−38.64%) contrasting with grassland (+43.34%) and built-up area (+116.63%) expansion; (3) quantified anthropogenic drivers showing agricultural intensification (45.03%) and ecological protection measures (36.50%) as primary forces, while urbanization account for 18.47% of observed changes. The first two RDA ordination axes significantly (p < 0.01) explain 68.3% of the variance in ecosystem evolution, particularly linking land-use changes to socioeconomic indicators. Based on these findings, the study proposes integrated watershed management strategies emphasizing scientific land-use optimization, controlled urban expansion, and systematic ecological rehabilitation to enhance landscape stability in this ecologically sensitive region. The conclusions of this study have important reference value for other ecologically sensitive watersheds in land use planning, ecological protection policy making, and ecological restoration practice, which can provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance. Full article

The aim of the work is to analyze the survival strategy of Taxus baccata L., one of the promising plants for landscaping and the creation of woodlands, in the changing ecological conditions of the steppe zone of the Donetsk ridge. In order to achieve this goal, we used biomechanics methods, which help to understand the relationship between the physical and mechanical properties of living tissues and the overall stability of trees during interactions with environmental factors such as temperature, snow and ice storms, cyclic freeze–thaw processes, wind loads, and others. The work was based both on experimental studies on the estimation of the tissue elasticity modulus in response to temperature changes, the mechanical stability of plants, the field collection of materials, and studies on the modeling of forest stand conditions of English yew. As a result of the conducted experiments, it was established for the first time that at the absolute wood moisture content of 77 ± 5.1%, the density of wood tissues in the conditions of Donetsk is 907 ± 43 kg m⁻³. The modulus of elasticity of living tissues depending on the temperature factor varied in the following range: 8.8 ± 0.31 GN m⁻² (T = 288 K), 11.5 ± 0.55 GN m⁻² (T = 255 K) and 6.9 ± 0.47 GN m⁻² (t = 308 K). It was revealed that during the local thawing of skeletal branches and tables, the mechanical resistance of T. baccata is reduced by 20–22% and this critically affects the overall plant resistance. It was established for the first time that T. baccata in the conditions of the steppe zone has an adaptive strategy of preserving the integrity of the organism under the action of environmental factors with limited loads. The secret lies in the formation of the shape memory effect, under the influence of critical loads. The plant, thus, chooses not migration, not death, but adaptation to changes in environmental conditions, which can become a serious factor in the use of T. baccata in the landscaping of urban areas and the creation of artificial forests. Full article

Amidst the swift progression of urban expansion, transformations in land utilization have become increasingly pronounced, posing significant threats to ecosystem coherence and continuity. Establishing a well-designed ecological security pattern (ESP) framework proves essential for preserving environmental equilibrium and enhancing species diversity. This investigation centers on the Fuzhou urban agglomeration as its primary study zone, employing the patch-oriented land utilization simulation (PLUS) approach to forecast 2030 land cover modifications under environmentally conscious conditions. By integrating morphological spatial configuration assessment (MSPA) with habitat linkage evaluation, critical ecological hubs were pinpointed. Subsequent application of electrical circuit principles alongside the minimal cumulative resistance (MCR) methodology enabled the identification of vital ecological pathways and junctions, culminating in the development of a comprehensive territorial ESP framework. Key findings reveal the subsequent outcomes: (1) the main land use type in the Fuzhou metropolitan area is woodland, which accounts for over 80% of its area, and under the ecological priority scenario for 2030, woodland fragmentation was significantly improved; (2) ecological sources are mainly distributed in the northwest, northeast, and central regions, with their total area proportion increasing to 40.49% by 2030; (3) we constructed 35 ecological corridors and 42 ecological nodes, including 14 key ecological pinch points, 9 potential ecological pinch points, and 4 ecological barrier points; and (4) the final ESP formed the pattern of “three cores, three areas, multiple corridors, and multiple sources,” providing strong support for ecological protection and regional sustainable development in the Fuzhou metropolitan area. In this research, we explore the coupled methods of land use simulation and ecological network construction, offering insights for optimizing ESPs in other rapidly urbanizing areas. Full article

This study employs a multi-model coupling and multi-scenario simulation approach to construct a framework for identifying and optimizing avian ecological corridors in the urban core of Kunming. The framework focuses on the ecological needs of resident birds (64.72%), woodland-dependent birds (39.87%), and low-mobility birds (47.29%) to address habitat fragmentation and enhance urban biodiversity conservation. This study identifies 54 core ecological corridors, totaling 183.58 km, primarily located in forest–urban transition zones. These corridors meet the continuous habitat requirements of resident and woodland-dependent birds, providing a stable environment for species. Additionally, 55 general corridors, spanning 537.30 km, focus on facilitating short-distance movements of low-mobility birds, enhancing habitat connectivity in urban fringe areas through ecological stepping stones. Eighteen ecological pinch points (total area 5.63 km²) play a crucial role in the network. The northern pinch points, dominated by forest land, serve as vital breeding and refuge habitats for woodland-dependent and resident birds. The southern pinch points, located in wetland-forest ecotones, function as critical stopover sites for low-mobility waterbirds. Degradation of these pinch points would significantly reduce available habitat for birds. The 27 ecological barrier points (total area 89.79 km²), characterized by urban land use, severely impede the movement of woodland-dependent birds and increase the migratory energy expenditure of low-mobility birds in agricultural areas. Following optimization, resistance to resident birds in core corridors is significantly reduced, and habitat utilization by generalist species in general corridors is markedly improved. Moreover, multi-scenario optimization measures, including the addition of ecological stepping stones, barrier improvement, and pinch-point protection, have effectively increased ecological sources, met avian habitat requirements, and secured migratory pathways for waterbirds. These measures validate the scientific rationale of a multidimensional management strategy. The comprehensive framework developed in this study, integrating species needs, corridor design, and spatial optimization, provides a replicable model for avian ecological corridor construction in subtropical montane cities. Future research may incorporate bird-tracking technologies to further validate corridor efficacy and explore planning pathways for climate-adaptive corridors. Full article

Carbon emissions from global warming pose significant threats to both regional ecology and sustainable development. Understanding the factors affecting emissions is critical to developing effective carbon neutral strategies. This study constructed a precise 1 km resolution net carbon emissions map of Hubei Province, China (2000–2020), and compared the ten distinct machine learning models to identify the most effective model for revealing the relationship between carbon emissions and their influencing factors. The random forest regressor (RFR) demonstrates optimal performance, achieving root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) values that are nearly 10 times lower on average than the other models. The results are interpreted using Shapley additive explanation (SHAP), revealing dynamic factor impacts. Our findings include the following. (1) Between 2000 and 2020, net carbon emissions in Hubei increased threefold, with emissions from construction land rising by approximately 7.5 times over the past two decades. Woodland, a major carbon sink, experienced a downward trend. (2) Six key factors are population, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), road density, PM_2.5, the degree of urbanization, and the industrial scale, with only the NDVI reducing emissions. (3) Net carbon emissions displayed significant spatial differences and aggregation and are mainly concentrated in the central urban areas of Hubei Province. Overall, this study evaluates various regression models and identifies the primary factors influencing net carbon emissions. The net carbon emission map we have developed can visually identify and locate high-emission hotspots and vulnerable carbon sink areas, thereby providing a direct basis for provincial land use planning. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihoods of urban dwellers. This study sought to explore the impact of UGSs on livelihoods in Bulawayo and Johannesburg cities. A mixed-methods approach was used to develop a nuanced understanding of the nexus between UGSs and the livelihoods of the residents. A questionnaire survey (n = 658) with 329 participants from each city and 20 interviews were used to gather and generate data. Twelve types of UGSs were identified, with a relatively large proportion of the participants recognizing informal recreational areas as the common type of urban green space (UGS) in both cities. Domestic gardens, cemeteries, parks, woodlands, institutional green spaces, street trees, wastelands, commonages, and green roofs were other green spaces in both cities. Economically, job opportunities emerged in areas such as selling wares, photography, and the collection of firewood and wild fruits for sale. Likewise, farming activities and property values increased. Socially, they were valuable recreation and leisure spots for picnicking, dog walking, dating escapades, mental and spiritual wellness as well as education. Environmentally, UGSs were special in terms of medicinal provisions and aesthetics. However, urbanization and encroachment are undermining the extent of livelihood benefits. Therefore, it is imperative to revitalize UGSs by instituting robust partnerships and collaboration between government agencies, mobilize resources and expertise, value addition to existing UGSs, rigorous education to promote better appreciation, inclusion of the locals in the design process so that green spaces meet their needs and priorities, and establishing effective maintenance and management systems that ensure sustainability of UGSs. Full article

Global climate change, driven by increasing carbon emissions, poses a significant challenge to sustainable development, yet regional studies on carbon stock dynamics in rapidly urbanizing coastal areas remain limited. Utilizing the InVEST model and GIS spatial analysis methods, this research examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of carbon stock in the eastern coastal regions of Zhejiang from 2000 to 2020. The primary findings are outlined as follows: (1) Between 2000 and 2020, various land use categories experienced notable shifts, with the plow land area decreasing by 18.12%, the building site area expanding by 143.52%, the woodland area reducing by 0.08%, and the total land transfer area growing by 10.96% over the 20-year timespan. (2) Carbon stocks for the years 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 were 55.996 × 10⁶ t, 55.550 × 10⁶ t, 55.223 × 10⁶ t, 55.399 × 10⁶ t, and 55.656 × 10⁶ t, respectively, displaying a pattern of initial decline followed by a recovery, with a net reduction of 0.34 × 10⁶ t. The shifts in carbon stock were mainly driven by conversions between land use types, with woodlands serving as the predominant carbon reservoir. (3) Global spatial correlation analysis reveals that carbon stocks across the five periods exhibit a distinct spatial convergence and clustering pattern; local spatial correlation analysis indicates that high-high agglomeration zones account for 4.48% of the study area, predominantly located in the mountainous regions of western Taizhou City, while low-low agglomeration zones range from 12.91% to 11.54% of the total study area, primarily situated in the urban centers of Jiaxing City and Ningbo City, areas characterized by dense populations and extensive building sites. This study provides a solid empirical basis for implementing China’s dual-carbon strategy, supporting the systematic assessment of existing carbon reserves and sink capacities, and promoting the expedited realization of carbon peaking and neutrality goals. Full article

In recent years, rapid urbanization in China has significantly altered land use patterns and surface properties, exacerbating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This study investigates the microclimatic regulation potential of small lakes and their interaction with three distinct underlying surfaces (granite roads, lawns, and woodlands). Hourly measurements of air temperature and relative humidity were conducted from 15 July to 15 August 2024, at Tianlai Lake. The results demonstrate that granite roads exhibited the highest daytime air temperatures due to their low albedo and specific heat capacity. In contrast, lawns and woodlands can reduce surrounding temperatures via latent heat dissipation. The lake’s cooling influence extended approximately 30 m from its boundary, with the air temperature decreasing by up to 2 °C near the shoreline. Relative humidity showed a negative correlation with distance from the lake, declining rapidly within 30 m. These findings highlight the role of small lakes in mitigating UHI effects and provide actionable insights for optimizing lakeside underlying surface planning in urban areas. Full article

Urbanization has transformed natural landscapes, resulting in increased land surface temperatures and the intensification of urban heat island (UHI) effects. This study explores the relationship between land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes and land surface temperature (LST) from 2017 to 2024, using satellite data from Landsat and Sentinel. The results from supervised classification reveal a 50.9% increase in built-up land, from 21,256 hectares in 2017 to 32,099 hectares in 2024, accompanied by a 6.3% decline in woodland. Analysis of the LST data highlights rising temperatures in urbanized and deforested areas, with LST peaking at 36.96 °C in 2020 before slightly decreasing to 31.03 °C in 2024, potentially influenced by increased rainfall. However, hotspots of elevated LST persist, indicating sustained thermal stress. The urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI) showed worsening ecological conditions, particularly in densely urbanized zones. The study highlights the pressing need for integrating urban heat island (UHI) considerations into urban planning, as elevated urban temperatures threaten public health and escalate energy consumption. Additionally, the research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), emphasizing the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. By providing policymakers with key UHI indices, this study contributes to climate-resilient urban environments, mitigating heat risks through green infrastructure and sustainable urban design. Full article

The terrestrial spatial patterns were affected by human activities, primarily on regional land use (LU) changes, with habitat quality (HQ) serving as a prerequisite for achieving regional sustainable development. Assessing and predicting the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of regional LU changes and HQ is critical for formulating regional LU strategies and enhancing ecosystem service functions. Using the Poyang Lake Region as our research object, this research employs LU data and utilizes the ‘InVEST’ model and hot-spot analysis to quantitatively evaluate the spatiotemporal changes in HQ during 2000–2020. The PLUS model is then applied to predict LU and HQ trends from 2020 to 2050. The findings are as follows: (1). From 2000 to 2020, the areas of forestland, shrubland, sparse woodland, paddy fields, and dryland in the Poyang Lake Region showed a decreasing trend, with reductions mainly occurring in urban expansion zones such as Nanchang City and largely converted into urban construction land. (2). Since 2000, HQ in the Poyang Lake Region has shown a slight retrogressive evolution, with significant spatial heterogeneity. HQ spatially exhibits a pattern of improvement radiating outward from major cities. (3). Predictions for 2030 to 2050 indicate that HQ in the Poyang Lake Region will continue to decline, with the most significant downward trends occurring in urban built-up areas and their peripheries. The spatiotemporal characteristics reveal an expansion ring around Poyang Lake and an east–west urban expansion corridor linking Pingxiang, Yichun, Xinyu, Nanchang, Fuzhou, Yingtan, and Shangrao. This study provided a research basis for LU direction and urban planning policies in the Poyang Lake Region and its surrounding areas, while also contributing to the construction of agrarian security patterns and the enhancement of ecosystem service levels in the region. Full article

Green belts, consisting mainly of natural forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas surrounding major cities, play an essential role in regulating urban development and controlling the expansion of metropolitan areas. Although this concept has been extensively studied in the world’s major metropolitan areas, it remains relatively unknown in many countries, particularly in Africa. There is a great need for research to better understand urban vegetation cover on the continent. This article proposes a systematic review of African publications on green cover for the period 2010 to 2024. A descriptive and thematic analysis of the selected scientific papers was carried out using a database established to examine the state of existing research and understanding of the management of these plant formations in Africa. The results of these analyses highlight several major challenges facing urban forestry, including increasing anthropogenic pressures, lack of urban planning that integrates urban forestry, and shortcomings in the management of existing forest landscapes. The thematic analysis has also helped to identify the topics addressed by African researchers, identify gaps in research, and suggest directions for future studies. Three priority areas emerge from this analysis: the conservation of natural or artificial green belts around cities, the impact of these forest landscapes on urban heat islands (climate impact), and the sustainability of ecosystem management in the context of sustainable urbanization. These guidelines will enable a better understanding and valorization of green belts in Africa, thus contributing to the construction of more sustainable cities and the efficient management of forest landscapes. Full article

Since 2000, the Yangtze River Delta region has undergone a period of rapid urbanization in China. A large area of cultivated land has been converted into construction land, which greatly affects food security. The decrease in cultivated land caused by urbanization is also very serious in Jiangsu Province, one of the main grain-producing areas in the Yangtze River Delta region. Based on the remote sensing data of Jiangsu Province in 2000, 2010 and 2020, this paper analyzes the land use changes occurring in 13 regional cities in Jiangsu Province from 2000 to 2020 by using the transfer matrix. Spatial and temporal geographical weighted regression models were used to analyze the differences in the economic, social and policy impacts of land use change across the province. The results show that the cultivated land area is decreasing, and the closer to the urban center, the faster the decrease in cultivated land in Jiangsu Province. Cultivated land was mainly transferred out to construction land, waters and woodlands. The human factors affecting the change in cultivated land area in the province can be divided into a population growth factor, economic development factor, rural development factor and land policy factor. Among them, population growth and economic development had a negative effect on cultivated land protection, while improvements in the agricultural production level and cultivated land protection policy had a positive effect on cultivated land protection. According to the analysis of spatial-temporal heterogeneity of cultivated land area change, the growing urbanization rate had the greatest impact on the cultivated land area in Southern Jiangsu, and the impact of real estate development on cultivated land has been reduced in small cities. The conclusion of this paper has important policy implications for promoting cultivated land protection and ensuring food security. Full article

This study incorporated ecological footprint (EF) consumption into a framework to assess ecological well-being. A model and implementation framework for characterizing regional net ecological well-being were then developed. Using the Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration (GPUA) as a case study, land use data from 2000 to 2020 were utilized to calculate the ecosystem service value (ESV), representing the supply side of regional ecological functions. Simultaneously, the regional EF consumption was assessed as the demand side. Taking into account the level of regional economic development and the characteristics of people’s living, a regional net ecological well-being evaluation model was constructed to arrive at a deficit or surplus ecological situation. The results indicated that: (1) The overall ESV of the GPUA follows a trend of initial growth followed by a decline. Woodland, grassland, and farmland are the main contributors to the total ESV, with regulating and supporting services accounting for more than 80% of the total ecosystem value. (2) EF consumption in the GPUA shows a significant upward trend, increasing by over 70% on average. The level of ecological carrying capacity has slightly increased, with the biologically productive area that can support human activities expanding to 1909.49 million hectares. Additionally, the carrying capacity of the urban agglomeration cities has tended to stabilize since 2015. (3) Since 2010, anthropogenic consumption in the GPUA has continued to exceed the regional ecological capacity, resulting in an ecological well-being deficit. The average ecological well-being compensation per hectare in the urban agglomeration increased from 35.588 CNY to 187.110 CNY. This study offers a theoretical foundation for expanding the definition and research framework of regional ecological well-being by providing a more accurate assessment of regional ecological service supply and consumption at multiple scales. It is expected that this approach will help reduce the opportunity costs associated with ecological protection, while promoting a balanced approach to economic development and ecological preservation. Full article

In the context of global climate change, implementing ecological projects in China is critical for improving ecosystem quality, conservation, and sustainable development. Despite progress, ecological engineering areas remain vulnerable to degradation. Assessing these areas and identifying key regions for ecological improvement is essential for guiding project construction and fostering sustainable development. This study analyzed the spatial differentiation of ecological health and greenness in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a key area of the “Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Project” (TNSFP). A dual assessment framework integrating health and greenness indicators was developed to comprehensively evaluate the ecological benefits of engineering projects and identify priority areas for management. The results indicate the following: (1) Among the 104 counties and districts in Inner Mongolia, areas with high Ecological Health Index (EHI) values are primarily located in forests and grasslands, while low EHI values are found in agricultural–pastoral transition zones, deserts, the Gobi, and urban areas in western Inner Mongolia; (2) The Ecological Greenness Index (EGI) exhibits medium to low values across most of Inner Mongolia, except for the Daxinganling woodland area. Low EGI values are predominantly found in desert and desert grassland areas in the west, as well as grassland areas in central Inner Mongolia; (3) The Ecological Quality Index (EQI) at the raster scale shows a general decline from northeast to southwest, with high values concentrated in woodland areas and medium to low values in deserts, agricultural–pastoral zones, and urban areas; and (4) Key areas for ecological quality are mainly located in the deserts and Gobi regions of western Inner Mongolia, as well as urban areas, accounting for approximately 23.65% of the study area. These findings provide valuable insights for the planning and sustainable management of the TNSFP and offer significant support for ecological decision-making. Full article