Biodiversity - Urban Biodiversity

Title

Gardens benefit bees and enhance pollination in intensively managed farmland

Reference

Biological Conservation
Volume 144, Issue 11, November 2011, Pages 2602-2606

Author(s)

Ulrika Samnegård, Anna S. Persson, Henrik G. Smith

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The recent loss of pollinating insects and out-crossing plants in agricultural landscapes has raised concern for the maintenance of ecosystem services. Wild bees have been shown to benefit from garden habitats in urban and suburban areas. We investigated the effects of distance from garden habitats on wild bees and seed set of a native out-crossing plant Campanula persicifolia, in intensively managed agricultural landscapes in Southern Sweden. Bee abundance and species richness, as well as plant seed set, were higher closer to gardens (<15 m) than further away (>140 m). This highlights private gardens as a landscape wide resource for pollinators but also the lack of sufficient pollination of wild plants in contemporary agricultural landscapes.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Urban biodiversity

Keywords

Apoidea; Bombus; Campanula; Pollinator; Seed set; Agriculture; Landscape

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320711002618

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Contact the study author at:

ulrika.samnegard@botan.su.se

Title

How to manage the urban green to improve bird diversity and community structure

Reference

Landscape and Urban Planning
Volume 101, Issue 3, 15 June 2011, Pages 278-285

Author(s)

Simone Fontana, Thomas Sattler, Fabio Bontadina and Marco Moretti

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Urbanization is a fundamental environmental change, today happening at accelerated speed worldwide. Despite the strong and permanent human impact, urban biodiversity has generally proved to be surprisingly high. Quantitative information on the effect of management actions on biodiversity is often lacking but is an indispensable basis for decisions by urban planners and managers. We therefore quantified key urban variables to predict changes in avian biodiversity when their urban habitat is modified. We analysed species richness, diversity (Simpson index) and community composition of 63 bird species with reference to major urban environmental gradients at 96 sampling points in three Swiss cities. Best explanatory models were selected from candidate models following information theory, and their respective predictions were averaged based on AICc-weights. Bird species richness and diversity are negatively affected by increasing fractions of sealed area or buildings, while increasing vegetation structures, in particular trees, show positive effects. Our models predict an increase from 13 species in the absence of trees to 20 species with 46% tree cover (+54%). Coniferous trees help to maximize bird species richness, with the models predicting an increase from 14 species at sites with only deciduous woody plants to 20 species (+43%) at places with equal representation of coniferous and deciduous plants. While the analysis of the Simpson index did not show any influence of the coniferous and broadleaf woody plants mixture, partial redundancy analysis revealed such an influence on bird community composition, highlighting the importance to consider several measures when analyzing biodiversity.

Policy theme(s)

Urban environment >> Urban biodiversity
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Urban biodiversity

Keywords

City, Coniferous woody plants, Structural complexity, Bird biodiversity, Switzerland

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611000995
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

simone.fontana@wsl.ch

Title

Urban green zones and related pollen allergy: A review. Some guidelines for designing spaces with low allergy impact

Reference

Landscape and Urban Planning
Volume 101, Issue 3, 15 June 2011, Pages 205-214

Author(s)

Paloma Cariñanos and Manuel Casares-Porcel

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Urban green spaces are a key element in the planning of today's cities, since they favor the interaction between citizens and the environment, as well as promoting human health. However, lack of planning in the design of urban spaces and in the choice of ornamental species has been among the factors triggering one of the most widespread diseases in urban populations: pollen allergy. In this paper are reviewed the major causes of this extensive allergenicity, including: low species biodiversity at planting; the overabundance of given species acting as key specific pollen sources; the planting of exotic species prompting new allergies in the population; the choice of male, pollen-producing individuals in dioecious species; the presence of invasive species; inappropriate garden management and maintenance activities; the appearance of cross-reactivity between phylogenetically related species; and the interaction between pollen and air pollutants. The findings of this analysis highlight the clear need for guidelines regarding the design and planning of urban green spaces with a low allergy impact. Proposals include increased biodiversity, careful control when planting exotic species, the use of low pollen producing species, the adoption of appropriate management and maintenance strategies, and active consultation with botanists when selecting the most suitable species for a given green space.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Urban biodiversity
Urban environment >> Urban biodiversity
Urban environment >> Urban planning >> Healthy cities

Keywords

Allergenicity, Pollinosis, Urban green spaces, Ornamental species, Aerobiology

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016920461100137X
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

palomacg@ugr.es