Integrating remote sensing and field inventories to understand determinants of urban forest diversity and structure

Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 106(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Understanding the determinants of urban forest diversity and structure is important for preserving biodiversity sustaining ecosystem services in cities. However, comprehensive field assessments are resource‐intensive, landscape‐level approaches may overlook heterogeneity within regions. To address this challenge, we combined remote sensing with inventories to comprehensively map analyze attributes patches across Minneapolis‐St. Paul Metropolitan Area (MSPMA) a multistep process. First, developed predictive machine learning models by integrating data from (from 40 12.5‐m‐radius plots) Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) observations Sentinel‐2‐derived land surface phenology (LSP). These enabled accurate predictions attributes, specifically nine metrics plant (tree species richness, tree abundance, understory abundance), (average canopy height, dbh, density), structural complexity (variability density) relative errors ranging between 11% 21%. Second, applied these predict 804 additional plots GEDI Sentinel‐2. Finally, Bayesian multilevel predicted assess influence multiple factors—patch dimensions, landscape plot position, jurisdictional agency—on plots. The showed all predictors have some degree effect on presenting varying explanatory power R 2 values 0.071 0.405. Overall, characteristics (e.g., distance nearest trail, proximity edge) agency explained large portion variability patches, whereas patch did not. versus management sets marginal Δ was heterogeneous ecological subsections (an classification designation). multiplicity influencing forests emphasizes intricate nature ecosystems highlights nuanced, relationships anthropogenic factors that determine properties. Effectively enhancing requires assessments, management, conservation strategies tailored context‐specific characteristics.

Language: Английский

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Land sharing between cultivated and wild plants: urban gardens as hotspots for plant diversity in cities

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(3), P. 927 - 939

Published: Jan. 24, 2022

Abstract Plant communities in urban gardens consist of cultivated species, including ornamentals and food crops, wild growing species. Yet it remains unclear what significance have for the plant diversity cities how plants depends on level urbanization. We sampled within 18 community Berlin, Germany to investigate species plants. tested relation local landscape-scale imperviousness as a measure urbanity, we investigated relationship between gardens. found that numbers are high – especially independent imperviousness. This suggests all gardens, regardless their contexts, can be important habitats along with role provision. However, number was negatively predicted by garden scale imperviousness, suggesting an opportunity reduce create more at scale. Finally, positive which emphasizes present unique ecosystem where land sharing flora transpire. As agriculture movement is flourishing worldwide continuously spontaneously arising dissipating due densification, such botanical investigations support argument places reconciliation conservation production.

Language: Английский

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Detecting patterns of vertebrate biodiversity across the multidimensional urban landscape

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(4), P. 1027 - 1045

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Abstract Explicit characterisation of the complexity urban landscapes is critical for understanding patterns biodiversity and detecting underlying social ecological processes that shape them. Urban environments exhibit variable heterogeneity connectivity, influenced by different historical contingencies, affect community assembly across scales. The multidimensional nature disturbance co‐occurrence multiple stressors can cause synergistic effects leading to nonlinear responses in populations communities. Yet, current research design ecology evolutionary studies typically relies on simple representation parameter space be observed. Sampling approaches apply gradients such as linear transects or comparisons sites mosaic accounting a few variables. This rarely considers dimensions scales biodiversity, proves inadequate explain observed patterns. We approach integrates distinctive social, built characteristics landscapes, representing variations along heterogeneity, connectivity contingency. Measuring species richness beta diversity 100 US metropolitan areas at city 1‐km scales, we show signatures result from interactions between socioecological mediated

Language: Английский

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Vegetation complexity and nesting resource availability predict bee diversity and functional traits in community gardens

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(2)

Published: Oct. 11, 2022

Abstract Urban gardens can support diverse bee communities through resource provision in poor environments. Yet the effects of local habitat and landscape factors on wild cities is still insufficiently understood, nor how this information could be applied to urban wildlife conservation. Here we investigate taxonomic functional diversity bees their traits community are related garden surrounding (e.g., plant diversity, amount bare ground, nesting resources, imperviousness). Using active passive methods 18 Berlin, Germany, documented 26 genera 102 species bees. We found that higher richness as well amounts deadwood leads numbers (functional) diversity. Furthermore, imperviousness correlates with more cavity bees, whereas a ground ground‐nesting Pollen specialization was positively associated but no strongly predicted proportion endangered Our results suggest that, aside from foraging resources should implemented management for pollinator‐friendly gardens. If designed managed using such evidence‐based strategies, create valuable habitats taxonomically functionally cities.

Language: Английский

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Cities of the Anthropocene: urban sustainability in an eco-evolutionary perspective

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(1893)

Published: Nov. 13, 2023

Cities across the globe are driving systemic change in social and ecological systems by accelerating rates of interactions intensifying links between human activities Earth's ecosystems, thereby expanding scale influence on fundamental processes that sustain life. Increasing evidence shows cities not only alter biodiversity, they genetic makeup many populations, including animals, plants, fungi microorganisms. Urban-driven rapid evolution species traits might have significant effects socially relevant ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, pollination, water air purification food production. Despite increasing causing evolutionary change, current urban sustainability strategies often overlook these dynamics. The dominant perspectives guide essentially static, focusing preserving biodiversity its present state or restoring it to pre-urban conditions. This paper provides a overview socio-eco-evolutionary transition associated with global urbanization. Using examples observed changes play role maintaining function resilience, I propose significantly impact sustainability. Incorporating an eco-evolutionary perspective into science planning is crucial for effectively reimagining Anthropocene. article part theme issue ‘Evolution sustainability: gathering strands Anthropocene synthesis’.

Language: Английский

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Eight arguments why biodiversity is important to safeguard food security

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(3), P. 604 - 610

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Societal Impact Statement In the context of multiple crises, policymakers and practitioners prioritize solving certain challenges above others. this context, supposedly purely environmental like biodiversity loss have often been deprioritized solutions to tackle them are publicly or quietly postponed (again again). An example is postponement EU “nature conservation package” in view threat food shortages caused by war Ukraine. The following arguments outline why not only an challenge but also a global societal safeguard security postponing measures bad for can endanger itself. Summary Food counterbalanced. However, we argue that preserving crucial safeguarding security. We first generally (1) support agricultural production, (2) mitigate negative effects pollution, (3) provide livelihood outcomes. then, particular, (4) provides diverse diets fight hidden hunger, (5) resilience against future risks, (6) precondition genetic modifications, (7) addresses diversity cultures, income diets, (8) important place‐sensitive production. conclude “stop hunger first, then worry about afterward” sustainable option.

Language: Английский

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Assembly Processes Underlying Biotic Homogenization of Soil Microbial Communities in an Urban Ecosystem

Land Degradation and Development, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

ABSTRACT Urbanization is known to cause biotic homogenization, but the processes controlling homogenization are not well understood. Here, we analyzed microbial communities from 258 soil samples covering large landscape heterogeneity of entire Shanghai megacity. We measured urbanization intensity by incorporating habitat fragmentation, connectivity, and distance city center. determined extent which bacterial fungal community composition varied with how different assembly contributed variations. found significantly positive effects on compositional bacteria fungi, proportions generalists specialists were related homogenization. Dispersal ecological drift explained at least 60% variations, increased influences dispersal reducing specialists. Environmental variables < 28% higher led a simplified co‐occurrence network an proportion in network. These results indicate that homogenized shifting generalist specialist microbes, weak environmental selection. Therefore, conserve urban biodiversity ecosystem functioning face complex human impacts, management strategies should consider only conditions also drift, as species preferences, increase effectiveness actions.

Language: Английский

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Classification and Characterization of Anthropogenic Plant Communities in the Northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Questions Can we reconcile regional and European classifications of anthropogenic plant communities at the biogeographical scale? How are these characterized by species origins, traits ecological preferences? Location Atlantic territories in NW Iberian Peninsula (a.k.a. Cantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion); south‐western Europe. Methods We classified 2508 plots with aim being consistent phytosociological expertise, while matching that expertise current EuroVegChecklist alliances. used modified TWINSPAN to revise original classification, followed semi‐supervised re‐classification whole dataset. determined proportion natives, archaeophytes, neophytes. also described alliances terms (lifeforms, height, flowering phenology) requirements (temperature, moisture, light, nutrients, soil reaction, disturbance frequency, severity). Results assigned 2086 vegetation 25 representing nine classes ( Cymbalario‐Parietarietea diffusae , Polygono‐Poetea annuae Papaveretea rhoeadis Digitario sanguinalis‐Eragrostietea minoris Chenopodietea Sisymbrietea Bidentetea Artemisietea vulgaris Epilobietea angustifolii ). The included 1149 species: 78% 15% archaeophytes 7% Vegetation groups were organized along a principal axis abiotic stress (dry‐sunny moist‐shady habitats) secondary disturbance. Conclusions In territories, habitats host one third pool fifth flora. Mesic perennial ruderal is especially rich native can be biodiversity asset urban landscapes. Our biogeographical‐level synthesis improve management contribute towards European‐level human‐made vegetation.

Language: Английский

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Special Issue – The ecology of future cities

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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The application of geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies in urban ecology

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 137 - 163

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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