An interactive simulation model of urban ecosystem and its implementation

An interactive simulation model is established based on the methodology of 'sensitivity model' (SM) during the cooperative research process between the founders of SM and the authors. And the conceptual framework of SM is developed into the interactively qualitative and quantitative simulation model presented in this paper, which makes it possible to break down a complex urban ecosystem into simple and visual quantitative or qualitative relationships between the factors. By studying the dynamic responses of the system to the changes of the inputs and parameters of the model, future trends in urban development can be predicted and strategies formulated. The whole process is realized on micro-computer in the course of man-computer interaction. Its potential use is shown in a case of Tianjin City.

Review of urban ecosystem services from 2010 to 2020:An analysis based on CiteSpace

This paper systematically combs 416 literature on urban ecosystem services (UES) in China and other countries from 2010 to 2020,and carefully interprets the abstracts of 383 effective literature.According to the classification method of the research perspectives of ecosystem services proposed by Luederitz C,the literature is divided into six categories:ecology,governance,methods / tools / guidelines,social networking,economy and planning,and Excel and CiteSpace software were used for data statistical analysis and visual processing.The research shows that:in terms of research perspectives,foreign researches are evenly distributed in six categories:ecology,governance,methods / tools / guidelines,social networking,economy and planning,while domestic research perspectives are relatively concentrated in three categories:economy,governance,methods / tools / guidelines,and the proportion of economic category is particularly significant.In terms of research contents,there are more studies on climate governance,decision-making mechanism and method innovation abroad,while there are more studies on the measurement of carbon sequestration and oxygen releasing,the evaluation of ecological security pattern and the quantitative evaluation of UES’s economic value in China,and there are less studies on institutional organization structure and policy tools,innovative methods of UES’s value evaluation,the potential role of UES on some social phenomena,the relationship between UES and residents’ behavior and perception.

A fine-scale assessment of the ecosystem service-disservice dichotomy in the context of urban ecosystems affected by alien plant invasions

Background: Natural resources within and around urban landscapes are under increasing pressure from ongoing urbanisation, and management efforts aimed at ensuring the sustainable provision of ecosystem services(ES) are an important response. Given the limited resources available for assessing urban ES in many cities, practical approaches for integrating ES in decision-making process are needed.Methods: We apply remote sensing techniques(integrating LiDAR data with high-resolution multispectral imagery)and combined these with supplementary spatial data to develop a replicable approach for assessing the role of urban vegetation(including invasive alien plants) in providing ES and ecosystem disservices(EDS). We identify areas denoting potential management trade-offs based on the spatial distribution of ES and EDS using a local-scale case study in the city of Cape Town, South Africa. Situated within a global biodiversity hotspot, Cape Town must contend with widespread invasions of alien plants(especially trees and shrubs) along with complex socio-political challenges. This represents a useful system to examine the challenges in managing ES and EDS in the context of urban plant invasions.Results: Areas of high ES provision(for example carbon sequestration, shade and visual amenity) are characterized by the presence of large trees. However, many of these areas also result in numerous EDS due to invasions of alien trees and shrubs – particularly along rivers, in wetlands and along the urban edge where tall alien trees have established and spread into the natural vegetation(for example increased water consumption, increased fire risk and reduced soil quality). This suggests significant trade-offs regarding the management of species and the ES and EDS they provide.Conclusions: The approach applied here can be used to provide recommendations and to guide city planners and managers to fine-tune management interventions at local scales to maximise the provision of ES.

Sustainability analysis of the urban ecosystem in Guangzhou City based on information entropy between 2004 and 2010

The urban ecosystem possesses dissipating structures that can absorb substances and energy from the external environment and export products and wastes to maintain order within the system. Given these circumstances, this paper analyzed the ability of the urban ecosystem in Guangzhou City to sustain development from the perspective of entropy. The research was carried out in three steps. First, an evaluation index system that considers the ability of the urban ecosystem for sustainable development was formed based on the struc- tures and functions of the urban ecosystem and the change in the entropy of the urban so- cioeconomic ecosystem. Second, the sustainable development ability assessment model for the urban ecosystem was built using information entropy. Last, by combining the time series variation of the evaluation indicators with the entropy weights, this paper analyzed the influ- ence of the combined factors on the sustainable development ability of the urban ecosystem in Guangzhou and suggested some measures to promote the sustainable development of the urban ecosystem in Guangzhou. The conclusions of this study can be summarized as follows： （1） The urban ecosystem has developed in an orderly and healthy direction, with effective control over the urban environmental pollution problems in Guangzhou between 2004 and 2010. （2） The sustainable development ability of the urban ecosystem had been on an up- ward trend in Guangzhou during the study period. The ability of the natural urban ecosystem to support the urban socioeconomic ecosystem increased continuously, and the improved ecoenvironment enhanced the harmony and vitality of the urban ecosystem in Guangzhou.

Nesting tree characteristics of heronry birds of urban ecosystems in peninsular India： implications for habitat management

Wetland ecosystems, particularly the mangrove forest, are the primary wild habitat of heronry birds. However, urban ecosystems have become a favorite breeding habitat of these birds. To provide inputs into the habitat management for conservation of these birds, we investigated the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of nesting trees of heronry birds in the urban environment of the North Kerala region of peninsular India. Census on nesting trees was done in 3 major microhabitats of the urban ecosystem： avenues of national highways and towns, nonresidential plots, and residential areas apart from the mangrove islets in the peri-urban locality. The study found that 174 trees of 22 species hosted 1,928 heronry bird nests in the urban habitats; mangrove forests, although plentiful in the study area, hosted only about 20% of the total nests encountered in the study. Rain trees Samanea saman （43.7%） were the most available nesting tree. The greatest number of nests and nesting trees were encountered on the roads of urban areas, followed by nonresidential areas and residential areas. The differences in the observed frequencies of nesting trees in 3 microhabitats and in 3 types of roads （national highways 〉 state highways 〉 small pocket road） were significant. Canopy spread, girth size, and quality of the trees predicted the tree selection of the heronry birds in urban environments. Therefore, we recommend proper management and notification of the identified nesting trees as protected sites for the conservation of herorny birds.

Urban Ecosystem Prediction and Comprehensive Evaluation Ideology

In the light of the study of domestic and foreign ur-ban ecosystem,this article puts forward a set of ideological systemsfor the forecast,evaluation and tactic,and conducts initial primaryexploration of its forecast and evaluation methods.

Application of Cellular Automata and Markov Chain model for urban green infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia,as a tropical city,has experienced a notable decline in its critical urban green infrastructure(UGI)due to rapid urbanization and haphazard development.The decrease of UGI,especially natural forest and artificial forest,may reduce the diversity of ecosystem services and the ability of Kuala Lumpur to build resilience in the future.This study analyzed land use and land cover(LULC)and UGI changes in Kuala Lumpur based on Landsat satellite images in 1990,2005,and 2021and employed the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient to assess classification accuracy.LULC was categorized into six main types:natural forest,artificial forest,grassland,water body,bare ground,and built-up area.Satellite images in 1990,2005,and 2021 showed the remarkable overall accuracy values of 91.06%,96.67%,and 98.28%,respectively,along with the significant Kappa coefficient values of 0.8997,0.9626,and 0.9512,respectively.Then,this study utilized Cellular Automata and Markov Chain model to analyze the transition of different LULC types during 1990-2005 and 1990-2021 and predict LULC types in 2050.The results showed that natural forest decreased from 15.22%to 8.20%and artificial forest reduced from 18.51%to 15.16%during 1990-2021.Reductions in natural forest and artificial forest led to alterations in urban surface water dynamics,increasing the risk of urban floods.However,grassland showed a significant increase from 7.80%to 24.30%during 1990-2021.Meanwhile,bare ground increased from 27.16%to 31.56%and built-up area increased from 30.45%to 39.90%during 1990-2005.In 2021,built-up area decreased to 35.10%and bare ground decreased to 13.08%,indicating a consistent dominance of built-up area in the central parts of Kuala Lumpur.This study highlights the importance of integrating past,current,and future LULC changes to improve urban ecosystem services in the city.

Seasonal co-occurrence patterns of bacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton and the ecological response in urban aquatic ecosystem

Microorganisms play a key role in aquatic ecosystems.Recent studies show that keystone taxa in microbial community could change the community structure and function.However,most previous studies focus on abundant taxa but neglected low abundant ones.To clarify the seasonal variation of bacterial and microalgal communities and understand their synergistic adaptation to diff erent environmental factors,we studied the bacterial and eukaryotic phytoplankton communities in Fenhe River that runs through Taiyuan City,central China,and their seasonal co-occurrence patterns using 16S and 18S rDNA sequencing.Results indicate that positive interaction of eukaryotic phytoplankton network was more active than negative one except winter,indicating that the cooperation(symbiotic phenomenon in which phytoplankton are interdependent and mutually benefi cial)among them could improve the adaption of microbial community to the local environmental changes and maintain the stability of microbial network.The main genera that identifi ed as keystone taxa in bacterial network were Salinivibrio and Sphingopyxis of Proteobacteria and they could respond to the variation of nitrite and make use of it,while those that identifi ed as keystone taxa in eukaryotic phytoplankton network were Pseudoschroederia and Nannochloris,and they were more susceptible to nitrate and phosphate.Mychonastes and Cryptomonas were closely related to water temperature.However,the loss of the co-occurrence by environmental factor changes aff ected the stability of network structure.This study provided a reference for analyzing relationship between bacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton and revealing potential importance of keystone taxa in similar ecological domains in carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus dynamics.

An Assessment of Ecosystem Services of Urban Green Spaces Based on i-Tree

Ecosystem services of urban green spaces play an important role in the sustainable development of the urban ecosystem. How to quantify the ecological benefits of urban green spaces and evaluate their ecological services is a hot topic in related fields. Currently, with the advancement of science and technology, the assessment method has been developed from the traditional ones such as the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers(CTLA) method, afforestation cost method, and carbon tax method to CITYgreen and i-Tree. The latter two models have been widely used in countries of Europe and America, while the use of i-Tree has not been promoted in China. In this paper, i-Tree Eco(UFORE) was selected for research, and its application in the assessment of the ecosystem services of urban green spaces, including energy saving, air quality improvement, interception of rainwater, and aesthetic benefits, were analyzed. This study aims to provide a theoretical and scientific basis for the introduction and localization of i-Tree, as well as its generalization in the assessment of forest ecosystem services domestically.

Towards an integrative approach to evaluate the environmental ecosystem services provided by urban forest

As a Nature-Based Solution,urban forests deliver a number of environmental ecosystem services(EESs).To quantify these EESs,well-defined,reliable,quantifiable and stable indicators are needed.With literature analysis and expert knowledge gathered within COST Action FP1204 GreenInUrbs,we proposed a classification of urban forest EESs into three categories:(A)regulation of air,water,soil and climate;(B)provisioning of habitat quality;and(C)provisioning of other goods and services.Each category is divided into EES types:(a)amelioration of air quality;restoration of soil and water;amelioration of the microclimate;removal of CO2 from the air;(b)provision of habitat for biodiversity;support for resilient urban ecosystems;provision of genetic diversity;and(c)provision of energy and nutrients;provision of grey infrastructure resilience.Each EES type provides one or more benefits.For each of these 12 benefits,we propose a set of indicators to be used when analyzing the impacts on the identified EESs.Around half of the 36 indicators are relevant to more than one single benefit,which highlights complex interrelationships.The indicators of wider applicability are tree and stand characteristics,followed by leaf physical traits and tree species composition.This knowledge is needed for the optimization of the EESs delivered by urban forests,now and in the future.

Integrating ecosystem services evaluation and landscape pattern analysis into urban planning based on scenario prediction and regression model

Urban planning has become a widely concern for minimizing the negative effects of urban expansion on terrestrial ecosystems. We developed an interdisciplinary modeling framework to evaluate the effectiveness and shortcomings of urban expansion management strategies. A three-step method was applied to Yinchuan Plain in the northwestern of China, including(1)analyzing the relationship between landscape pattern and ecosystem service values through mathematical statistics;(2) predicting landscape pattern and ecosystem services change under different scenarios based on cellular automaton model(SLEUTH-3r model); and(3) designing and validating optimized scenario through integrating historical analysis experiments and future multi-comparison suggestions. Results have suggested that landscape composition and configuration can significantly affect regional ecosystem service values, especially the connectivity and shape of landscape. Compact urban growth policy and medium environment protection policy are the appropriate setting for urban expansion plan. Optimization validation of the combined designed scenario implied the reliability of this method. Our results highlighted the significance of integrating application of landscape pattern analysis, ecosystem service value evaluation,model simulation and multi-scenario prediction in urban planning.

What is the relationship between ecosystem services and urbanization? A case study of the mountainous areas in Southwest China

China is undergoing a rapid urbanization process,and urbanization will have a direct impact on regional ecosystems and affect regional ecosystem services.Considering the mountainous counties in Southwestern China as the research object,this study reveals the spatial clustering characteristics of four typical ecosystem services(food production,soil conservation,water yield and carbon sequestration)as well as the trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services in different urbanized areas.At the same time,piecewise linear regression is used to determine the threshold of the influence of urbanization on ecosystem services.The results indicate that:1)There are spatial autocorrelations among the four typical ecosystem services;with strong clustering characteristics,the positive correlation types are"clustered"locally;and with significant spatial heterogeneity,the negative correlation types are scattered and mainly appear in the highly urbanized area.2)There are also remarkable differences in the relationship among various ecosystem services in different urbanized areas,and in particular,there are marked trade-offs between food production and carbon sequestration in the moderately urbanized area and the highly urbanized area.However,there are synergies between them in the lowly urbanized area.3)With an increase in the compounded night light index(CNLI),water yield,carbon sequestration,food production and overall ecosystem services values present an increasing-decreasing trend,the soil conservation function value shows a decreasing-increasing trend.The response of water yield,carbon sequestration,food production,and overall ecosystem services to the compounded night light index(CNLI)has a threshold of 1.2642,1.4833,1.3388,1.5146 and 1.2237,respectively.Based on the detected relationships between urbanization and ecosystem services,this study provides a theoretical reference for the selection of urbanization development models in key ecological functional areas.

Relationship between Urban Floristic Diversity and Ecosystem Services in the Moukonzi-Ngouaka Neighbourhood in Brazzaville, Congo

The relationship between ecosystem services and urban phytodiversity is being studied in the Moukonzi-Ngouaka district of Brazzaville. Urban forestry, a source of well-being for the inhabitants, is associated with socio-cultural foundations. The surveys concern flora, ethnobotany, socio-economics and personal interviews. The 60.30% naturalized flora is heterogeneous and closely correlated with traditional knowledge. The Guineo-Congolese endemic element groups are 39.27% of the taxa, of which 3.27% are native to Brazzaville. Ethnobotany recognizes 48.36% ornamental taxa;28.36% food taxa;and 35.27% medicinal taxa. Some multiple-use plants are involved in more than one field. The supply service, a food and phytotherapeutic source, provides the vegetative and generative organs. Of the 52.31% of recognized taxa, 33.45% essentially provide leaves and 18.50% fruits. The main obsession of plant introduction being 1) food and phytotherapeutic, and 2) aesthetic, obscures other ecosystem services such as fuelwood and income, provided by NTFPs, pillars of poverty alleviation.

Evaluating Structural and Temporal Factors Affecting Supply of Ecosystem Benefits in a University Urban Environment in South Carolina, USA

Sustainable urban forest management is still an evolving concept, particularly as it pertains to a sustainable supply of ecosystem benefits and management planning. Urban forestry maintains a greater human dimension component than traditional timber-oriented rural forestry because urban trees grow in city centers and neighborhoods, supplying critical ecosystem benefits to the population centers. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship of urban forest stand structure and its temporal dynamics with the sustainable supply of ecosystem benefits in university environments. Individual tree data were collected from a completed inventory, while the i-Tree Eco model was used to generate ecosystem benefits data from the Clemson urban forest. The cumulative-benefits supply curve had an inverted J-shaped curve, but the average supply curve had a negative slope against the species richness. Likewise, individual tree variables total height, DBH, leaf area, and crown height strongly correlated with the total ecosystem services supply. Based on the temporal supply trends, the study area trees were broadly segmented into three groups: establishment, growth, and legacy, with 65%, 31%, and 4% frequency distribution, respectively. Urban forest managers need to identify forest management goals and preferred ecosystem benefits among the urban communities to guide the required forest structure and dynamics to ensure a sustainable and functioning urban forest.

Landscape pattern and its effect on ecosystem functions in Seoul Metropolitan area:Urban ecology on distribution of the naturalized plant species

During land transformation process in the human history, naturalized plants were introduced to several land use patterns by the different ways of plant itself. Including some naturalized plants that had been contribute to land restoration, many naturalized plants have been invaded to original habitat or landscape for native plants. Once the plants were colonized, they extend their area and population size. Urban developed areas often give an important role of source habitat for naturalized plants and expanding their population size. In recent, this situation is appearing as one of environmental problems about the urban landscape management controlling the naturalized plants that invaded in the developed area and conserving the native vegetation. This paper is focusing on relationships between distribution of habitat of naturalized plants and landscape patch in urban area in Seoul. Gangdong-Gu, one of the administrative areas in Seoul was selected for this study. We examined the recent land use change using LANDSAT TM data and spreading of the representative naturalized plants (Robinia pseudoacacia and Eupatorium rugosum) by Seoul Biotope Mapping Project and field survey in 1999. As a result, these two species were often occurred in the same habitat and distributed in forest edge disturbed by man. Their distribution patterns were related to landscape indices (patch size and shape) in the forest edge.

Floral Diversity Status in Urban Coastal Wetland &Associated Coastal Ecosystems of Crow Island Mattakkuliya, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and the only wetland city in South Asia under the Ramsar Convention. Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal area belong to the Colombo urban coastal wetland ecosystems. Crow Island wetland contributes diverse habitats for numerous flora and fauna species. The present study was conducted to assess the status of floral diversity in the Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal ecosystem during the months of August to October 2021. Study area is divided in to three sites (A, B, C). Line transects method and field observations were used in the study. This coastal wetland consists of mosaic of five major vegetation types: Herbaceous, tree, shrub, creeper, grass and other than that marine algae namely Chaetomorpha antennina, Rhizoclonium africanum, Ulva compressa belonging to chlorophyta (green algae) and Grateloupia lithophila belonging to rhodophyta (red algae) were found in the study area. A total number of 102 flora species belonging to 50 families were recorded from the study area. There were two true mangrove species and 16 mangrove associated species in the study sites. Out of the 102 plant species 46 were recognized and documented as plants with medicinal values. Shannon-Wiener diversity indexes for mangrove and mangrove associated species were recorded as 2.378, 2.304 and 1.676 in site A, B and C respectively. Simpson’s diversity index for mangrove and mangrove associated species was recorded as 0.889, 0.874 and 0.735 respectively in site A, B and C and Jaccard index of similarity between three study sites showed high values ranging from 41% to 69% for mangrove and mangrove associated species.

The Role of Green Infrastructure in Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect

The accelerating urbanization process and intensifying climate change have exacerbated the urban heat island effect, threatening sustainable urban development. This study investigates the role of green infrastructure in mitigating urban heat island effects, its implementation challenges, and applications. Employing a system dynamics approach, the research models the relationships between green infrastructure, urban microclimate, and human well-being. Findings indicate that large, continuous green spaces, such as urban parks and green corridors, are most effective, potentially reducing surrounding temperatures by 1˚C - 4˚C. Green infrastructure also provides multiple ecosystem services, including improved air quality and increased biodiversity. However, its implementation faces challenges such as land resource limitations and financial constraints. To address these issues, the study proposes a performance-based planning method, emphasizing multifunctional design and cross-sectoral collaboration. Through analysis of international and Chinese urban case studies, best practices and lessons learned are summarized. The research demonstrates that successful strategies must be context-specific, integrating local conditions while emphasizing long-term planning and continuous optimization. This study provides a scientific basis for developing effective heat island mitigation strategies and climate adaptation plans, ultimately achieving sustainable urban development and improved living environments.

The spatial-temporal pattern and influencing factors of negative air ions in urban forests, Shanghai, China

Negative air ions are natural components of the air we breathe Forests are the main continuous natural source of negative air ions （NAI）. The spatio-temporal patterns of negative air ions were explored in Shanghai, based on monthly monitoring in 15 parks from March 2009 to February 2010. In each park, sampling sites were selected in forests and open spaces. The annual variation in negative air ion concentrations （NAIC） showed peak values from June to October and minimum values from December to January. NAIC were highest in summer and autumn, intermediate in spring, and lowest in winter. During spring and summer, NAIC in open spaces were significantly higher in rural areas than those in suburban areas. However, there were no significant differences in NAIC at forest sites among seasons. For open spaces, total suspended particles （TSP） were the dominant determining factor of NAIC in sum- mer, and air temperature and air humidity were the dominant determining factors of NAIC in spring, which were tightly correlated with Shanghai＇s ongoing urbanization and its impacts on the environment. R is suggested that urbanization could induce variation in NAIC along the urban-rural gradient, but that may not change the temporal variation pattern. Fur- thermore, the effects of urbanization on NAIC were limited in non-vegetated or less-vegetated sites, such as open spaces, but not in well-vegetated areas, such as urban forests. Therefore, we suggest that urban greening, especially urban forest, has significant resistance to theeffect of urbanization on NAIC.

城市生态系统健康的研究现状和发展趋势——基于中外文献对比

城市生态环境问题日益突出的现实使得城市生态系统健康研究备受关注。以1990-2023年Web of Science(WoS)和CNKI核心合集数据库为检索源,运用文献计量分析梳理当前有关城市生态系统健康的研究进展。结果表明:(1)国内外城市生态系统健康研究总体可分为初始期、发展期和巩固期三个阶段,研究在2004年后呈现快速增长趋势。(2)中国学者是研究主力,但在该领域与其他国家机构的协同研究并不充分。(3)目前研究聚焦于确立城市生态系统健康的评估方法和评估体系,研究技术多元,但理论研究有待深入、评定标准难以准确量化以及城市生态系统健康管理有待系统性落实。因此,立足城市生态系统健康状况的时空演变规律,探究其与城市空间的耦合关系,继而构建国土空间规划语境下的调控管理方略框架将成为该领域研究的未来趋势。

成都市主城区绿色基础设施遥感解译及其生态服务现状研究

城市绿色基础设施(Urban Green Infrastructure,UGI)的广泛应用,正在持续重塑全球城市景观,对城市生态系统服务产生重要影响。成都作为紧邻川西高原的内陆盆地城市,其城市景观在UGI构成的多样性等方面与中国其他城市具有显著差异。以成都城市景观为中心展开综合调查,使用地理信息系统、生态服务建模和空间分析来量化UGI对生态服务的影响,并采用系统化方法将UGI整合到优化城市生态系统服务的规划建议中,为快速城市化中的成都主城区UGI空间布局优化,特别是空间聚集程度冷点区域改善,提供具体的解决策略。总结出三个关键趋势:(1)成都市的土地利用发生了重大变化,以城市区域绿色空间的显著缩小和建设用地的显著扩大为特征,主要归因于人口增长和土地利用模式的变化;(2)空间聚集程度热点和冷点的调查分析显示,主城区大多数温度冷点位于成都的东部,而基于其价值的热点最高集中度位于南部地区;(3)对UGI内碳密度的分析显示,生态系统服务集中度的峰值出现在城市中心区域。