Butterfly taxonomic and functional diversity in the urban green spaces of Hefei city

Urbanization has profound impacts on ecological environments. Green spaces are a vital component of urban ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and enhancing sustainability. This study aimed to investigate the community composition characteristics of butterflies in urban green spaces within the context of rapid urbanization. Simultaneously, it explored the status and differences in butterfly taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, and functional traits among different types of urban green spaces, regions, and urban gradients to provide relevant insights for further improving urban green space quality and promoting biodiversity conservation. We conducted a year-long survey of 80 green spaces across different urban regions and ring roads within Hefei City, Anhui Province, with monthly sampling intervals over 187 transects. A total of 4822 butterflies, belonging to 5 families, 17 subfamilies, 40 genera, and 55 species were identified. The species richness, Shannon, Simpson, functional richness, and Rao's quadratic entropy indices of butterflies in urban park green spaces were all significantly higher than those in residential and street green spaces(P < 0.05). Differences in butterfly diversity and functional traits among different urban regions and ring roads were relatively minor, and small-sized, multivoltine, and long flying duration butterflies dominated urban green spaces. Overall, these spaces offer more favorable habitats for butterflies. However, some residential green spaces and street green spaces demonstrate potential for butterfly conservation.

Integrity and Size of Green Spaces Are Critical for the Functional Di-versity of Birds:Evidence from the Eastern and Northwestern Regions of China

Urbanization often changes bird species richness and affects the functional diversity.Therefore,understanding these changes helps city planners improve green space design and land use planning.Our study used multiple datasets to explore the effects of land-scape patterns and natural environments on the functional diversity of birds in urban parks and campuses in the eastern and northwest-ern regions of China.Firstly,we used the data to calculate birds of the functional richness(FRic),functional evenness(FEve),and func-tional divergence(FDiv)of 68 urban spaces in the eastern and northwestern regions of China.Further,we established generalized linear models of natural factors,human factors,and functional diversity.Results showed more bird species with unique traits were in the north-western region.This may be because the earlier urbanization in the eastern region filtered out urban-sensitive species,leaving behind urban adapters.Moreover,we found that the fractal dimension index was the most significant positive factor of FRic in the eastern re-gion but the most significant negative factor of FDiv.Elevation was the most significant negative influence factor of FEve in the eastern region,but it was the most potent positive influence factor of FRic in the northwestern region.Population density had a significant posit-ive effect on FDiv in the northwestern region.However,green space areas significantly negatively impacted FEve in the northwestern region.In addition,birds in parks in both regions had more functional traits than those on campuses,possibly because of the larger green space in parks,which may contain more fragments of native vegetation and reduce human interference.Our study suggests that pre-serving more original vegetation and reducing human disturbance in cities can increase the functional diversity of urban birds and im-prove urban ecosystem functions.

Research on the Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Driving Forces of Green Spaces in the Central Urban Area of Zunyi City

Green space,as a medium for carrying out urban functions and guiding urban development,is becoming a scarce resource along with the urbanization process and the intensification of environmental problems.In the face of the spatial mismatch between high demand and low supply,it is of great significance to clarify the evolution mechanism of green space to undertake national spatial planning,protect the natural strategic resources in the urban fringe area,and promote the sustainable development of the“three living spaces.”The study focuses on the Zunyi City Center,selecting the 20 years of rapid development following its establishment as a city as the study period.It explores the dynamic evolution of green space and the main driving forces during different periods using remote-sensing image data.The study shows that from 2003 to 2023,the total scale of green space has an obvious decreasing trend along with the expansion of the urban built-up area.A large amount of arable land is being converted to construction land,resulting in a sudden decrease in arable land area.In the past 10 years,the comprehensive land use dynamics have accelerated.Still,the spatial difference has gradually narrowed,indicating that the overall development intensity of Zunyi City’s central urban area has increased.There is a gradual spread of the trend to the hilly areas.The limiting effect of the mountainous natural environment on the city’s development has gradually diminished under the superposition of external factors,such as economic development,industrial technological upgrading,and policy orientation so the importance of the effective protection and rational utilization of urban green space has become more prominent.

Factors influencing the concentration of negative air ions during the year in forests and urban green spaces of the Dapeng Peninsula in Shenzhen, China

Negative air ions(NAIs)benefit the mental and physical health of humans,but rapid urbanization can decrease the abundance of NAIs.Quantifying the spatial and seasonal distribution of NAIs and determining the factors that infl uence the concentration during urbanization is thus essential.In the present study of a typical developing urban district in southern China,negative air ion concentrations(NAICs)in 60 forests sites and 30 urban green spaces were quantifi ed on seven consecutive days in each of the four seasons.Large seasonal variations in NAIC were revealed in forests and urban green spaces with trough values in summer.NAIC progressively decreased from forests to urban green spaces and was infl uenced by local land morphology,vegetation characteristics,and climatic factors.The vast,heavily vegetated northeastern region was the richest area for NAIs,whereas the narrow central region(urbanized area)was the poorest,implying dramatic impacts of urbanization on the spatial distribution of NAIs.The relationship between air temperature and NAIC was better fi tted with a quadratic equation than a linear equation.Moreover,the NAIC was more sensitive to local morphology in urban green spaces than in urban forests,indicating the vulnerability of NAIs in urbanized areas.Therefore,the appropriate design of local urban morphology is critical.

Evaluation method of the ecological benefits of urban green spaces and application conditions

The importance of ecological benefit analyses about green space systems has been widely discussed on the basis of a perceived bias towards the landscaping effect of green spaces to be built in urban areas as opposed to the perception of comprehensive ecological benefits of designed plant communities. Given the basic principle of ecological benefit analyses and evaluation methods widely applied today, the methodology to calculate ecological benefits and to model the expansion of urban green spaces by CITY- green 5.0 and its conditions for application were explored. We propose that aerial images can be substituted by AutoCAD graphics of a green space containing detailed information of plant dispositions by digitizing the key features during the working process in order to evaluate the ecological benefits quickly and to offer proper guidance to the establishment of small scale green spaces in urban areas. The theoretical foundation, potential application range and prospects for extension of the method are introduced by using the analysis of ecological benefits of the green spaces on the campus of Southwest Forestry College, Kunming, as an example.

Optimal Design of Street-side Green Spaces: A Case Study of Tiaoshan Cultural Park in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province

Street-side green spaces are located by urban roads, serving neighboring residents and business population, they are public spaces for citizens working, relaxing and communicating with each other. Landscape design of street-side green spaces is the manifestation of city culture, history and development. Through investigating actual conditions, cultural and historical context, and neighboring traffic of Tiaoshan Cultural Park, this study summarizes deficiencies of the original plant and landscape setting designs, and proposes optimal designs of the park according to the design principles of street-side green spaces.

Application of Drought-resistant Varieties in Urban Green Spaces

As the connotations of urban green spaces and urban eco-green spaces have been more realized,drought-resistant green spaces have become a unique development trend,and drought-resistant flowers have been more applied in green spaces.This paper summarized characteristics of drought-resistant flowers,foreign and domestic researches in this field,advantages and disadvantages of their application in urban green spaces,and proposed key directions of the future researches.

Benefits and Challenges of Urban Green Spaces

The aim of this paper is to illustrate the benefits,and challenges towards providing multifunctional urban green spaces.The results are based on critical analysis of study findings from different cities in Europe,America and to a lesser extent in Asia.Inner-city green spaces are especially important for improving air quality through uptake of pollutant gases and particulates which are responsible for respiratory infections.Due to their amenity and aesthetics,green spaces increase property value.To ensure multifunctional role of urban a green space is achieved,in particular the social and psychological role,certain standards of quantity,quality and distribution within the urban area should be adequately established.Green spaces need to be uniformly distributed throughout the city area,although each does not need to be extremely large but should be large enough to accommodate the city population.

SPATIAL GRADIENT ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACES COMBINED WITH LANDSCAPE METRICS IN JINAN CITY OF CHINA

Urban green spaces have been arisen growing concern responded to the social and environmental costs of urban sprawl. A wide range of planning and policies has been and/or will be designed to protect urban green spaces and optimize their spatial pattern. A better design or planning of urban green space can make a major contribution to quality of environment and urban life, and furthermore can decide whether we can have a sustainable development in the urban area. Information about the status quo of urban green spaces can help planners design more effectively. However, how to quantify and capture such information will be the essential question we face. In this paper, to quantify the urban green space, a new method comprising gradient analysis, landscape metrics and GIS was developed through a case of Jinan City. The results demonstrate: 1) the gradient analysis is a valid and reliable instrument to quantify the urban green space spatial pattern precisely; 2) using moving window, explicit landscape metrics were spatially realized. Compared with quantifying metrics in the entire landscape, it would be better to link pattern with process and establish an important basis for analyzing the ecological and socioeconomic functions of green spaces.

Advances in Research on Urban Green Spaces from the Perspective of Urban Geography

The construction of urban green space has attracted extensive attention of researchers under the background of urban sustainable development and ecological civilization construction.The research of urban green space involves ecology,geography,economics,sociology and other disciplines,among which geography has played an important role in promoting the study and practice of green space in terms of research perspectives,methods and techniques,planning and management.In this paper,the important role of urban geography in green space research is analyzed from defi nition,classifi cation to multidisciplinary background,and the research and practice progress of green space in urban geography are summarized in four aspects:characteristics and division of green space,relationship between green space and urban regional structure,service function of urban green space,and the relationship between green space and urban development.Finally,the practical achievements of green space research are illustrated from the perspective of urban geography.

Understanding coupled coordination relationships between social and ecological functions of urban green spaces

Urban Green Spaces(UGSs)can provide social and ecological benefits,and the coordination of these two functions will largely advance human-nature harmony in cities.As such,we proposed a comprehensive framework to evaluate UGSs multifunctionality,i.e.the coupling coordination relationship of ecological connectivity and spatial accessibility of UGSs.Wuhan City in Central China was taken as a case study,and multiple ecosystem service values of green space patches and the disordered use of UGSs multifunctionality were explored.The results demonstrated low-level coupling coordination of UGSs multifunctionality in Wuhan.More than 70%of UGSs were imbalanced,27.91%of which featured small sizes,low connectivity and accessibility.We suggest that planners should optimize UGSs arrangement to improve species reachability,especially for species with dispersal distance less than 4 km,and to create 15-minute community life circles for residents at the same time.Our findings are expected to support the promotion of UGSs multifunctionality and the balance of urban development and habitat conservation.

Designing with nature:Advancing threedimensional green spaces in architecture through frameworks for biophilic design and sustainability

In the transition to a more sustainable built environment over the last two decades,the“greening”of architecture as a popular approach has received widespread attention.However,there are still many open questions and contradictions regarding how to design with“nature”and contribute to sustainability.In addition,explorations of built examples are rare,and three-dimensional(3D)green spaces in buildings are often overlooked.Therefore,we introduce“green pockets”(3D green spaces)as a typology distinct from two-dimensional green roofs and walls/facades.We draw on a mixed-method approach to study two cases(Erasmus MC and Hotel Jakarta),comprising 12 semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders,design document analysis,and site observation.We develop a critical reflection(a framework)on the impacts of“green architecture”on sustainability from unpacked benefits and adopt a biophilic design framework to analyse designing with“nature”in architectural practice.These findings demonstrate that green pockets contribute to integrating multiple experiences of“nature”into buildings and developing sustainable architecture.Designing green pockets with visibility,accessibility,and spatial characteristics(e.g.,prospect and refuge,organised complexity,peril,and mystery)of“nature”improves building quality.Furthermore,we provide design recommendations to advance green pocket designs and make suggestions for future research.

The Effects of Public Green Spaces on Residential Property Value in Beijing

A number of empirical studies in Euro-American region consistently demonstrate that, parks and open space have a positive impact on property values. However, this effect has not been investigated in Beijing, China. And the public and city managers often ignore or underestimate the role of urban green spaces. This paper surveyed the relationship between the average house prices of 76 residential areas and 14 parks in Beijing, and measured the total benefits of 18 070 ha public green spaces on residential property value, by using the inventory data of urban green spaces （2009） and GIS techniques. Results showed that the residential property values located 850-1604 meters away from parks achieved a 0.5% to 14.1% increase in sales price. The overall benefit of Beijing’s public green spaces on residential property was 2.86 billion CNY （1 USD=6.83 CNY）, and the average benefit of per hectare public green space was 0.16 million CNY, corresponding to 1.8-3.9 times of the maintenance cost of green space in Beijing. Therefore, there is chance for local governments to increase property tax revenues due to the creation and maintenance of urban green spaces.

Utilisation of green urban space for food sufficiency and the realisation of the sustainable development goals-UK stakeholders perspective

The exponential growth of food demand due to the increasing global population has the potential to seriously threaten the quality and quantity of food supplies due to climate change.This study explores the utilisation of green urban spaces for achieving food self-sufficiency by investigating the extent to which sustainable urban farms could be used to reduce the consumption of imported produce in the UK.It also examines urban farming stakeholders'perspective on how food self-sufficiency can help realise the SDGs especially SDG 2(Zero hunger)and SDG 13(Climate action).The study adopts a mixed method approach through a survey with 115 respondents and semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 respondents from 4 different urban farming stakeholder groups.The findings of this study presented a strong correlation between stakeholders who had concerns about where their food came from and the carbon footprint of imported produce.The research shows that,urban farms will no doubt play a vital role in the future of food security in our cities/communities and that the SDGs could be realised through sustainable urban farms implemented within the relevant planning regulations/policies.

Diversity and Application of Herbaceous Flowers in Urban Road Greening in Hefei City

In urban road greening,the planting of ground cover flowers is essential,and herbaceous flowers are an important part.Through the investigation on the diversity of herbaceous flowers in urban road green spaces of Hefei City,the types,colors,application frequency and planting of herbaceous flowers in urban road green spaces were statistically analyzed,and the application forms of herbaceous flowers in the road greening of Hefei City were studied.The characteristics and problems of herbaceous flowers in the road greening of Hefei City were found,and some development suggestions were put forward.

Some Major Green Spaces of Shanghai

Bund Green Land With a sloping green land cover-ing a total area of 16,000 squaremeters, a stretch of bushy fence sep-arates traffic lanes from the prome-nade, creating a perfect leisure placein downtown Shanghai.

A Modern Concerto of National Parks and Urban Parks:Book Review of Parkscapes:Green Spaces in Modern Japan

Parkscapes:Green Spaces in Modern Japan Author:Thomas R.H.Havens Year:2011Publisher:University of Hawai’i Press ISBN:9780824834777(288 pages,in English)Japanese classical gardens,which can be seen in the courtyards of temples,courtyards of ancient feudal landlords(emperor,general,and daimyo),and some private mansions of modern statesmen and industrialists,have a long history and are well known around the world.Even though there are many monographs

Do green spaces affect the spatiotemporal changes of PM_(2.5) in Nanjing?

Introduction:Among the most dangerous pollutants is PM_(2.5),which can directly pass through human lungs and move into the blood system.The use of nature-based solutions,such as increased vegetation cover in an urban landscape,is one of the possible solutions for reducing PM_(2.5) concentration.Our study objective was to understand the importance of green spaces in pollution reduction.Methods:Daily PM_(2.5) concentrations were manually collected at nine monitoring stations in Nanjing over a 534-day period from the air quality report of the China National Environmental Monitoring Center(CNEMC)to quantify the spatiotemporal change of PM_(2.5) concentration and its empirical relationship with vegetation and landscape structure in Nanjing.Results:The daily average,minimum,and maximum PM_(2.5) concentrations from the nine stations were 74.0,14.2,and 332.0μg m^(−3),respectively.Out of the 534 days,the days recorded as“excellent”and“good”conditions were found mostly in the spring(30.7%),autumn(25.6%),and summer(24.5%),with only 19.2% of the days in the winter.High PM_(2.5) concentrations exceeding the safe standards of the CNEMC were recorded predominately during the winter(39.3-100.0%).Our hypothesis that green vegetation had the potential to reduce PM_(2.5) concentration was accepted at specific seasons and scales.The PM_(2.5) concentration appeared very highly correlated(R2>0.85)with green cover in spring at 1-2 km scales,highly correlated(R2>0.6)in autumn and winter at 4 km scale,and moderately correlated in summer(R2>0.4)at 2-,5-,and 6-km scales.However,a non-significant correlation between green cover and PM_(2.5) concentration was found when its level was>75μg m^(−3).Across the Nanjing urban landscape,the east and southwest parts had high pollution levels.Conclusions:Although the empirical models seemed significant for spring only,one should not devalue the importance of green vegetation in other seasons because the regulations are often complicated by vegetation,meteorological conditions,and human activities.

GIS-Based Analysis to Identify the Distribution and Accessibility of Urban Green Space in Dhaka Metropolitan City, Bangladesh

Urban Green Space (UGS) plays an important role in minimizing the negative effects of urbanization on city dwellers, which is predominantly factored into the accessibility to UGS. This study elucidated the distribution and accessibility of UGS in Dhaka, Bangladesh considering the paucity of such important scientific studies in the given area. The methodological structure of this study employed a multispectral Landsat satellite image from 2020 for identifying the logically defined UGSs, as well as a minimum proxy distance being the parameter to estimate accessibility to the UGS through a primary survey scheme and literature review. Considering UGS as a public area, we adopted a hybrid (combination of supervised and unsupervised classification) method followed by post-classification for UGS distribution assessment. The unsupervised classification identified the overall distribution of green spaces, whereas the anomalies of generated classes were rectified during the post-classification. Following the study findings, UGS in Dhaka metropolitan city accounts for only 602 ha or 1.9% of the total geographical space, with Ramna thana ranked as the highest contributor of 111 ha. However, in terms of accessibility to the UGS by city residents, 19.9% of the buildings in Dhaka metropolitan city were computed to be within the determined proxy distance of 500 m around the UGS. Also, parallel to UGS distribution, green space in Ramna thana (111 ha) exhibited the highest accessibility rate (64%) to the UGS compared with other thanas in Dhaka metropolitan city. The baseline findings will contribute to the long-term sustainable urban planning and development of more accessible green spaces in the study area.

Study on the Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Park Green Space in Wuhan City

The distribution characteristics of park green space in Wuhan City were studied by standard deviation ellipse(SDE)method,average nearest neighbor index,kernel density estimation(KDE)method and scale index method.At the same time,the influencing factors of its distribution were discussed from three aspects of nature,social economy and culture with a geographical detector.The results show that(1)the distribution of park green space in Wuhan was relatively concentrated,and the directionality was not strong.The distribution mode was clustered mode.There were four main aggregation centers,which were located in Jianghan District,Qingshan District,Dongxihu District and Wuchang District respectively.Among them,the scale index of Jianghan District was the highest,up to 0.5902,while that of Xinzhou district was the lowest,only 0.0047.(2)The order of interpretation intensity of park green space distribution in Wuhan was population density(0.382)>regional GDP(0.278)>location of historical relics(0.165)>urbanization rate(0.136)>watershed zoning(0.069)>altitude(0.012).(3)The interaction of population density and watershed zoning had the strongest explanation for the distribution of park green space in Wuhan.Except for the influence of population density,the interaction of urbanization rate and regional GDP had the strongest explanation for the distribution of park green space in Wuhan.