Litter buffet:On the use of trash bins by birds in six boreal urban settlements

Unintentional food resources in urban areas(street litter,food leftovers,overflowing trash bins)are dietary components of some urban-exploiter bird species.In this study,we report on 13 bird species in six southern Finnish cities using urban trash bins and describe differences in their activity when provided with food resources(i.e.,bait)in different bin types.We used generalized linear models(GLM)and classification and regression trees(CART)to test for associations between environmental variables and bird activity at the binscapes.Bird activity at the binscapes significantly differed among all cities and among types of bins and was significantly higher after placing bait in all cases.Bins with the largest opening had more activity as opposed to those with smaller openings or lids.Corvids and gulls had the highest activity,with corvids usually being present before the bait was placed and gulls increasing their activity thereafter.These differences show that trash bin foraging is highly malleable and thus susceptible to management preventing its occurrence.Suitable waste management measures could aid in reducing the number of species close to bins and their surroundings,benefiting both bird and human health.

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.

Study on New Urbanization and Urban Ecological Security Assessment

Taking the relationship between new urbanization and urban ecological security protection as research object, based on pressure -status - response model, taking Gaochun （Gucheng Lake basin） and Zhangjiakou （Guanting Reservoir basin） as the examples, basin ecological security in its new urbanization process was evaluated. Based on the principle of comprehensiveness, representativeness and data availability, evaluation indexes were selected, and index system was established. Mathematical function of evaluation indexes was established, and security index of each evaluation indicator in index layer was determined. Using weighted average method, ecological security indexes in the two areas were obtained. On the basis of comparison and analysis, it is proposed that we must deal with urban ecological security problem in new urbanization process, thereby truly achieving ultimate value orientation of new urbanization construction oriented by people.

Spatial Identification of Urban Ecological Function on the North Slope of Qinling Mountains Based on Ecological Sensitivity—A Case Study in Baoji, China

Since the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, ecological civilization has been the key construction goal in China, which has a profound impact on the process of urbanization. In recent years, with the rapid development of urbanization and unreasonable land development and utilization, the ecological environment has deteriorated sharply, and the stability of ecological environment has always been a difficult problem in the process of regional development. The spatial division of urban ecological function can be divided into different types of spatial utilization according to the fragile state of ecological environment, which not only guarantees urban construction but also maintains the ecological environment health, and has great economic benefits and ecological value in formulating regional development strategies and ecological protection. In this paper, from four perspectives of “land, water, human and forest”, eight factors affecting ecological sensitivity were selected, and GIS spatial superposition method was used to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on the ecological sensitivity of Baoji City, and the evaluation results of single factor ecological sensitivity and comprehensive ecological sensitivity were obtained. The areas with different ecological sensitivity are divided into extremely sensitive areas, highly sensitive areas, moderately sensitive areas, slightly sensitive areas and non-sensitive areas. The research shows that the proportion of extreme, high, moderate, mild and insensitive areas in Baoji City is 7.32%, 10.57%, 22.25%, 42.91% and 16.95% respectively. Finally, the areas with different sensitivity grades are identified as three types of urban ecological function areas: ecological conservation area, ecological coordinated moderate utilization area and ecological suitable construction area, so as to provide scientific theoretical basis for urban construction and land use optimization in Baoji City.

Measurement and influencing factors of urban traffic ecological resilience in developing countries: A case study of 31 Chinese cities

An urban traffic ecosystem is a spatial structure composed of air,population,vehicles,roads,green spaces,and regions.Traffic ecological resilience is a critical issue in high-quality urban development.From the perspective of system optimization,it is important to study the level of urban traffic ecological resilience and analyze its influencing factors.In this study,we evaluated traffic ecological resilience,characterized its spatio-temporal differentiation,and explored its influencing factors by constructing a system of urban traffic ecological resilience and by analyzing the environmental protection and urban construction data in 31 Chinese cities during 2011-2018.By conducting Kernel density analysis,standard deviation ellipse,comprehensive weight determination,panel data regression analysis,andχ2test,we found that traffic ecological resilience was low on the whole and exhibited the temporal trend of“decreasing first and then increasing”and the spatial characteristic of“high in the east,second in the middle,and low in the west”.The cities with high traffic ecological resilience density values were located in Southeast China and tended to move from northwest to southeast.Governance capability,market activity,technological innovation capability,opening degree,and financial resources had significant effects on urban traffic ecological resilience.Finally,we gave some suggestions for improving the urban traffic ecological resilience in Chinese cities as well as other developing countries in the world.

Thoughts on the Construction Method of Stock Space Based on the Perspective of Ecological Restoration and Urban Repair

The creation of stock space is an important method for the current urban space renewal.Based on studying the connotations of ecological restoration and urban repair,this paper analyzed the development background and practical significance of urban stock space,put forward the methods for the creation of stock space,in order to realize the people-oriented values and the strategic view of sustainable development,and contribute to the future designs of urban stock space in China.

Abundance of White-fronted Parrots and diet of an urban parrot assemblage(Aves:Psittaciformes)in a green Neotropical city

Urban ecosystems are evolutionarily recent novel environments acting as biodiversity filters.Psittacidae birds are considered successful urban adapters mainly due to their generalist feeding and opportunistic behavior,allowing them to occupy environments from cold temperate to dry xeric areas.Therefore,it is important to understand how these species interact in the urban environment.We studied the interannual(2013–2016)abundance of the White-fronted Parrot(Amazona albifrons)in the Neotropical cities of Xalapa and Coatepec,in Central Veracruz,México.Additionally,we studied the feeding ecology during 13 months of 6 parrot species detected in the city of Xalapa.The abundance of the White-fronted Parrot was significantly higher in Xalapa than in Coatepec,and it was homogeneous across years.Non-native plants represented 30–41%of Psittacidae diets in Xalapa,where seeds were the most commonly consumed resource.We recorded the highest Psittacidae species richness and highest diet overlap among species by the end of the dry season(April–May).The White-fronted Parrot had the highest plant richness in its diet,followed by the Monk Parakeet(Myiopsitta monachus)and the Green Parakeet(Psittacara holochlorus);yet,the White-fronted Parrot had a specialized diet dominated by two plant species(Grevillea robusta and Ficus aurea).The diet overlap among the three above-mentioned parrot species was not significantly different to a null model,where the White-fronted Parrot and the Monk Parakeet overlapped during the months of February,April,June,and September.The White-fronted Parrot is an urban adapter that has successfully expanded its geographic range via natural means and by human activities.The invasive Monk Parakeet is currently restricted to one park in Xalapa,and it has remained in that stage for many years(i.e.,pre-expansion phase).Exotic plant species in Xalapa represent∼55%of the woody vegetation,some of which have longer flowering and fruiting periods that may have aided the successful establishment of parrot species in urban environments.

Urbanization, environmental consequences and management in China

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Striving for efficiency,harmony and vitality─A human ecological approach to urban sustainable development

Sustainability can only be assured with a human-ecological understanding of the complexinteractions among environmental,economic and social/cultural factors and with careful planningand management grounded in ecological principles. This paper will probe an integrative methodologyfor achieving environmentally sound, economically productive, and ecologically responsibledevelopment in urban and industrial areas of China through ecological regulation. The central objec-tive is to promote highly efficient resource use rather than high speed development,harmonious sys-tem′s relationship rather than inflexible compartmentalization, and robust and vital self-organizationrather than bureaucrstic control. This ecological order is to be regulated through technological inno-vation,institutional reform, and behavioral incentives that promote positive economic dcvelopmentwhile mitigating negative environmental impacts.

Exotic parrots breeding in urban tree cavities: nesting requirements, geographic distribution, and potential impacts on cavity nesting birds in southeast Florida

Background:Exotic parrots have established breeding populations in southeast Florida,including several species that nest in tree cavities.We aimed to determine the species identity,nest site requirements,relative nest abundance,geographic distribution,and interactions of parrots with native cavity-nesting bird species.Methods:We searched Miami-Dade County,Florida,and nearby areas for natural cavities and holes excavated by woodpeckers,recording attributes of potential nest trees.We inspected all cavities with an elevated video inspection system to determine occupancy by parrots or other birds.We mapped nearly 4000 citizen science observations of parrots in our study area corresponding to our study period,and used these to construct range maps,comparing them to our nesting observations.Results:Not all parrots reported or observed in our study area were actively breeding.Some parrots were observed at tree cavities,which previous studies have suggested is evidence of reproduction,but our inspections with an elevated video inspection system suggest they never initiated nesting attempts.Several parrot species did successfully nest in tree cavities,Red-masked Parakeets(Psittacara erythrogenys)and Orange-winged Parrots(Amazona amazonica)being the most common(n=7 and 6 nests,respectively).These two parrots had similar nesting requirements,but Orange-winged Parrots use nests with larger entrance holes,which they often enlarge.Geographic analysis of nests combined with citizen science data indicate that parrots are limited to developed areas.The most common parrots were less abundant cavity nesters than the native birds which persist in Miami’s urban areas,and far less abundant than the invasive European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris).Conclusions:Exotic parrots breeding elsewhere in the world have harmed native cavity-nesting birds through interference competition,but competitive interference in southeast Florida is minimized by the urban affinities of parrots in this region.The relative abundance and geographic distribution suggest that these parrots are unlikely to invade adjacent wilderness areas.

Questioning Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Practices in a Major Urban Estuary： Perpetuating Myths of Degradation in Spite of the Facts

The Jamaica Bay ecosystem is a dichotomy. It encompasses more than 12,000 acres of coastal estuarine marshes and an ecological diversity rivaling any coastal environment in the world. It is considerably altered, and is affected by a variety of ecological insults directly related to the fact that more than 14 million people live in its vicinity. Environmental protection institutions responded to the challenge of protecting the bay, surrounding wetlands and recreational benefits by addressing the increasing load of contaminants into the ecosystem. Billions of dollars have been spent during the past five decades on restoration attempts, including upgrading wastewater treatment plantsand the closure of three major sanitary landfills. Even with the curtailment of untreated wastewater release and ending periodic dredging and filling programs, all activities that are necessary processes in maintaining an urban harbor, the Jamaica Bay ecosystem has reached a point where many believe it to be unrecoverable, requiring massive infusions of restoration dollars. This categorization has been perpetuated based on questionable data （the ＂myths＂） that, when investigated in rigorous scientific detail, prove to be unsubstantiated. In this paper, the origin of these myths and the scientific investigation that dispel them are discussed.

From landscape urbanism to ecological urbanism:Origin and development

Based on the origin and development of landscape urbanism,with several representative cases,this paper introduces the origin of ecological urbanism,as well as the main concepts and strategies,and then compared the changes from Landscape Urbanism to Ecological Urbanism.At last,this paper discusses its enlightenment on China’s urban construction and landscape development with the focus on the actual situation in China.

Evaluation of Coordinated Development of Urbanization and Ecological Environment in the Efficient Ecological Economic Zone of the Yellow River Delta

Based on the statistical data of urbanization development level and ecological environment in the Yellow River Delta during 2009-2014,a comprehensive index system for the coordinated development of urbanization and ecological environment was established to evaluate the coordinated development level. The results showed that the coordinated development level of urbanization and ecological environment in the Yellow River Delta was generally high during 2009-2014. The development level of urbanization was higher than that of ecological environment on the whole,that is,the development of ecological environment lagged behind. The development of urbanization in the region was relatively slow during 2009-2011 but rapid during 2012-2014. The development level of ecological environment was relatively stable and always increased.

Analysis and Evaluation of the Ecological Restoration of the City with an Emphasis on Urban Metabolism

It would not be far-fetched to say that people’s lives depend on their environment and its quality. With growing urbanization of this dependence is growing increasingly urban environment. Urbanization not only balances economic and social development in the cities but also stirs the regional ecological imbalances and the natural areas. In addition to these problems, there is disruption of water, air, soil and environment built on imbalances between urban areas and the lack of social vitality and frustration. All cities, especially metropolitan with developing economies face to uncertainty in terms of health, environment and quality of life. This article utilizes the ecological and environmental issues and integrates it with urban metabolism approach to the study’s revival of urban ecology, something that results in enhanced quality of life for citizens. This research is the theoretical and analytical method. In the research process of this study, related domestic and foreign literature subsequently of traditional and electronic library resources, books and articles published in journals have been used. According to the type of research in this study, descriptive analysis was performed. Based on findings of this study, urban ecology is a tool to control and guide of urban growth and activities in a way to improve quality of urban environment. Applying urban ecology in designing cities has provided opportunities to create practical ecological systems. By using them, natural process, human activities and urban environment could be combined. Moreover, urban metabolism as an indicator of urban sustainability and a part of urban ecology includes two main related and non-contra-dictory approaches of odum and MFA. Due to difficulties which modern cities face to, benefiting and applying these approaches seem vital.

Ecological Approaches to Urban Migration of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region

With the approach of the second water storage of the Three Gorges Project, urban migration has become a great concern. However, being influenced by economical, social or other factors, ecological problems have apparently become pressing. All these problems are exerting great impact upon the speed and quality of new city’s or town’s construction. By means of ecology, urban ecology, landscape ecology, human settlement science as well as the principle of sustainable development, this paper analyzes the ecological problems in urban migration, and the corresponding approaches in order to promote ecological environment construction of new cities and give an impetus to sustainable development of the whole human settlements in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region.

Canonical Correlation Analysis on Natural Subsystem and Economic Subsystem——Taking the Eco-development of Hebei Province as an Example

[Objective] This study aimed to provide referential basis for ecosystem study of Hebei Province in the new decade of 21st century, by investigating the correlation between natural subsystem and economic subsystem. [Method] The correlation between natural subsystem and economic subsystem in ecosystem was discussed by means of the canonical correlation, and the correlation between variables was explored with statistical data. [Result] The canonical correlation between the two subsystems could be explained by three groups of typical variables, Le., the canonical correlation between crop production and consumption; the canonical correlation between agricultural crop production, aquaculture and scientific research development funds; and the canonical correlation between forest area and GDP per capita. With the growth of economy and revenue and the steady development of agricultural production, there are still some serious problems, including the change of residents consumption is out of proportion to its material consumption; the socio-economic development depends on consuming of forests more heavily, which destroy the balance between the economic growth and environmental protection. [Conclusion] The results provide referential basis for the ecosystem study of Hebei Province.

Noisy environments:untangling the role of anthropogenic noise on bird species richness in a Neotropical city

Background:Among urban stimuli,anthropogenic noise has been identified to be one of the behavioral drivers of species that rely on acoustic signals for communication.Studies have shown both species‑specific and assemblage responses to urban noise,ranging from the modulation of their acoustic frequencies and spatiotemporal adjustments to declines in species richness.In this study,we assessed the citywide relationship between two anthropogenic noise variables(noise levels recorded during bird surveys and daily average noise levels)and vegetation cover with bird species richness.Methods:This study was conducted in the city of Xalapa(Mexico)through a 114 citywide point‑count survey.We recorded bird communities at each sampling site.We measured noise levels using a sound level meter while performing point‑counts.Then,we generated a map of average daily noise of the city using an array of 61 autonomous recording units distributed across the city of Xalapa and calculated daily noise levels for the 114 points.We ran a linear model(LM)to assess potential relationships between both point‑count and daily(24 h)noise values and vegetation cover with bird richness.Results:Results from the LM show:(1)a negative relationship between maximum point‑count noise and avian species richness,(2)no relationship between 24 h noise and bird species richness,and(3)a positive relationship between vegetation cover and bird species richness.Conclusions:Results provide evidence that decreases in urban bird species richness do not necessarily imply the permanent absence of species,suggesting that birds can temporarily fly away from or avoid sites when noisy,become cryptic while noisy events are occurring,or be undetected due to our inability to record them in the field during noisy events.

Changes in Ecosystem Service of Soil Conservation Between 2000 and 2010 and Its Driving Factors in Southwestern China

Human activities significantly alter ecosystems and their services; however, quantifying the impact of human activities on ecosystems has been a great challenge in ecosystem management. We used the Universal Soil Loss Equation and county-level socioeconomic data to assess the changes in the ecosystem service of soil conservation between 2000 and 2010, and to analyze its spatial characteristics and driving factors in the southwestern China. The results showed that cropland in the southwestern China decreased by 3.74%, while urban land, forest, and grassland areas increased by 46.78%, 0.86%, and 1.12%, respectively. The soil conservation increased by 1.88 × 10^(11) kg, with deterioration only in some local areas. The improved and the degraded areas accounted for 6.41% and 2.44% of the total land area, respectively. Implementation of the Sloping Land Conversion Program and urbanization explained 57.80% and 23.90% of the variation in the soil conservation change, respectively, and were found to be the main factors enhancing soil conservation. The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake was one of the factors that led to the degradation of soil conservation. Furthermore, industrial adjustment, by increasing shares of Industry and Service and reducing those of Agriculture, has also promoted soil conservation. Our results quantitatively showed and emphasized the contributions to soil conservation improvement made by implementing ecological restoration programs and promoting urbanization. Consequently, these results provide basic information to improve our understanding of the effects of ecological restoration programs, and help guide future sustainable urban development and regional industrial restructuring.

Exploring the factors affecting urban ecological risk:A case from an Indian mega metropolitan region

Assessment of ecological risk(ER)is a key approach to adapting and mitigating ecological deterioration in cities of developing countries.In developing countries,the ecological landscapes such as vegetation cover,water bodies,and wetlands are highly vulnerable due to rapid urban expansion.Therefore,urban ER(UER)assessment and its drivers are crucial to guide ecological protection as well as restoration.This study aims to explore the spatiotemporal pattern of UER and the impact of urban spatial form on UER in the Kolkata Megacity Region(KMR),India.This study developed a UER index and used spatial regression models across the urban centres.The ER has been assessed at city scale as well as grid-scale(2 km x 2 km and 5 km x 5 km)from 2000 to 2020.The results showed that ER has substantially increased over the last 20 years.The urban centres with very high and high ER substantially increased,i.e.from 21.95%in 2000 to 31.70%in 2020.Kolkata and its surrounding urban centres were mostly characterized by very high and high ER.ER was influenced by spatial variables(such as land use and landscapes pattern).However,remote sensing parameters were weakly related to ER.The spatial lag model(SLM)(R^(2)=0.8686)was found to be better fit model than spatial error model(SEM)(R^(2)=0.8661)and ordinary linear regression model(OLS)(R^(2)=0.8641).Thus,the findings of the study can improve research and a comprehensive framework for urban ecological resources and provide a scientific basis for urban ecosystem planning and restoration.In addition to this,it will guarantee the sustainable utilization of urban ecosystems.

Nightlife in the city: drivers of the occurrence and vocal activity of a tropical owl

Background:Cities differ from non-urban environments by the intensity,scale,and extent of anthropogenic pres-sures,which can drive the occurrence,physiology,and behavior of the organisms thriving in these settings.Traits as green cover often predict the occurrence patterns of bird species in urban areas.Yet,anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night(ALAN)could also limit the presence and disrupt the behavior of birds.However,there is still a dearth of knowledge about the influence of urbanization through noise and light pollution on nocturnal bird species ecology.In this study,we assessed the role of green cover,noise,and light pollution on the occurrence and vocal activity of the Mottled Owl(Ciccaba virgata)in the city of Xalapa(Mexico).Methods:We obtained soundscape recordings in 61 independent sites scattered across the city of Xalapa using autonomous recording units.We performed a semi-automated acoustic analysis of the recordings,corroborating all Mottled Owl vocalizations.We calculated two measures of anthropogenic noise at each study site:daily noise(during 24 h)and masking noise(mean noise amplitude at night per site that could mask the owl’s vocalizations).We further performed generalized linear models to relate green cover,ALAN,daily noise,and masking noise in relation to the owl’s occurrence(i.e.,detected,undetected).We also ran linear models to assess relationships among the beginning and ending of vocal activity with ALAN,and with the anthropogenic and masking noise levels at the moment of which vocalizations were emitted.Finally,we explored variations of the vocal activity of the Mottled Owl measured as vocalization rate across time.Results:The presence of Mottled Owls increased with the size of green cover and decreased with increases in both artificial light at night and noise levels.At the temporal scale,green cover was positively related with the ending of the owl’s vocal activity,while daily noise and ALAN levels were not related to the timing and vocal output(i.e.,number of vocalizations).Furthermore,the Mottled Owl showed a marked peak of vocal activity before dawn than after dusk.Although anthropogenic noise levels varied significantly across the assessed time,we did not find an association between high vocal output during time periods with lower noise levels.Conclusions:Spatially,green cover area was positively related with the presence of the Mottled Owl in Xalapa,while high noise and light pollution were related to its absence.At a temporal scale,daily noise and ALAN levels were not related with the timing and vocal output.This suggests that instead of environmental factors,behavioral contexts such as territoriality and mate interactions could drive the vocal activity of the Mottled Owl.Further studies need to incorporate a wider seasonal scale in order to explore the variation of different vocalizations of this species in relation to environmental and biological factors.