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Land
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Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green...
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Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green Infrastructure

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 8714

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Maria Ignatieva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Design, The University of Western Australia (UWA), 6009 Perth, Australia
Interests: urban ecology; urban biodiversity and design; landscape architecture; garden history; and garden restoration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Diana Dushkova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), 04318 Leipzig, Germany
Interests: landscape ecology; environmental sociology; human-environmental interaction; urban ecosystem services; nature-based solutions; therapeutic landscape
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban ecology covers a wide range of research from urban heat island effect, air and soil pollution, hydrology, soil science to urban vegetation and wildlife. Urban ecological knowledge is one of the keys for designing sustainable urban green areas and creating integrated green infrastructures.

This special issue welcomes the articles on the following research themes:

  • Dynamic character of plant communities as a foundation for ecological design;
  • Designing for urban wildlife;
  • Urban forest for cooling cities. Ecological and design considerations;
  • Urban trees for humans and wildlife;
  • Nature-based solutions for urban areas: ecological and social considerations.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Maria Ignatieva
Dr. Diana Dushkova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • urban ecology
  • urban vegetation and urban wildlife
  • ecological design
  • nature based solutions in urban areas

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2517 KiB  
Article
Urban Parks and Native Trees: A Profitable Strategy for Carbon Sequestration and Climate Resilience
by Zainab Rehman, Muhammad Zubair, Basharat A. Dar, Muhammad M. Habib, Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad, Ghulam Yasin, Matoor Mohsin Gilani, Jahangir A. Malik, Muhammad Talha Rafique and Jahanzaib Jahanzaib
Land 2025, 14(4), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040903 - 20 Apr 2025
Viewed by 65
Abstract
Urban green spaces are increasingly recognized for their potential to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). However, enhancing carbon sequestration efficiency in limited urban green areas remains a significant challenge for sustainable urban [...] Read more.
Urban green spaces are increasingly recognized for their potential to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). However, enhancing carbon sequestration efficiency in limited urban green areas remains a significant challenge for sustainable urban planning. Trees are among the most cost-effective and efficient natural carbon sinks, surpassing other types of land cover in terms CO2 absorption and storage. The present study aimed to evaluate the carbon sequestration potential of four native tree species, Pongamia pinnata, Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, and Dalbergia sissoo, in urban parks across Multan City, Pakistan. A total of 456 trees of selected species within six parks of Multan City were inventoried to estimate the biomass and carbon stock using species-specific allometric equations. Soil organic carbon at two soil depths beneath the canopy of each tree was also estimated using Walkley–Black method. The findings revealed that the highest mean tree biomass (2.16 Mg ha−1), carbon stock (1.04 Mg ha−1) and carbon sequestration (3.80 Mg ha−1) were estimated for Dalbergia sissoo, while Melia azedarach exhibited the lowest (0.12 Mg ha−1, 0.06 Mg ha−1 & 0.23 Mg ha−1, respectively) across all six parks. The soil carbon stocks ranged from 48.86 Mg ha−1 to 61.68 Mg ha−1 across all study sites. These findings emphasize the importance of species selection in urban green planning for carbon sequestration. Strategic planting of effective native trees like Dalbergia sissoo can mitigate climate change and provide urban forest ecosystem services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green Infrastructure)
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32 pages, 2698 KiB  
Article
The New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Residential (NZBF-R): A Tool to Rapidly Score the Relative Biodiversity Value of Urban Residential Developments
by Jacqueline Theis, Christopher K. Woolley, Philip J. Seddon, Danielle F. Shanahan, Claire Freeman, Maibritt Pedersen Zari and Yolanda van Heezik
Land 2025, 14(3), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030526 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 910
Abstract
The loss of biodiversity in urban residential areas that are densifying in response to increasing housing demand has serious implications for urban ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing. There is an urgent need for integrating biodiversity-sensitive design into urban planning and development. While several [...] Read more.
The loss of biodiversity in urban residential areas that are densifying in response to increasing housing demand has serious implications for urban ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing. There is an urgent need for integrating biodiversity-sensitive design into urban planning and development. While several existing “Green Factor” tools guide greening strategies in cities, none have biodiversity as their primary focus. We describe here a tool that specifically evaluates biodiversity in residential developments, with a particular emphasis on supporting native biodiversity. The NZBF-R (New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Residential) also educates users through embedded explanations on how various design features positively impact biodiversity and it provides tailored recommendations for effective biodiversity enhancement, enabling urban professionals to make informed landscape design decisions. Developed through literature review, analyses of existing Green Factor tools, and a robust weighting process, the NZBF-R identifies and ranks characteristics that support urban biodiversity, based on evidence from the scientific literature. We demonstrate the application of the NZBF-R on one case study. The NZBF-R can be applied across the planning, design, and retrofitting stages of urban residential projects, making it a valuable resource for urban planners and designers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green Infrastructure)
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18 pages, 12280 KiB  
Article
A Phased Approach to Urban Stream Restoration Decision-Making in Utoy Creek, Atlanta, Georgia
by Garrett T. Menichino, Liya E. Abera, Terry W. Rickey, Jr., Stephen P. Phillips and S. Kyle McKay
Land 2025, 14(3), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030449 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 644
Abstract
Urban watersheds undergo significant ecological change due to increased imperviousness, flashy hydrologic processes, channel evolution, the loss of riparian zones, and the fragmentation of movement corridors. Watershed restoration seeks to address these challenges simultaneously through site-scale actions coordinated at the basin scale. Ecological [...] Read more.
Urban watersheds undergo significant ecological change due to increased imperviousness, flashy hydrologic processes, channel evolution, the loss of riparian zones, and the fragmentation of movement corridors. Watershed restoration seeks to address these challenges simultaneously through site-scale actions coordinated at the basin scale. Ecological benefits, social outcomes, and monetary costs represent common metrics to inform decision-making on these programs. However, decision-making at the site and watershed scale may differ, and the accuracy and resolution of benefit and cost data should vary as project needs dictate. This paper presents a case study of urban stream restoration in Utoy Creek, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where multiple partner organizations are planning a portfolio of stream restoration projects. Analyses were conducted to assess ecological benefits, social outcomes, and monetary costs at the watershed scale to inform site selection, at the site scale to guide restoration design, and then again at the watershed scale to identify an effective portfolio of sites. These scales each presented unique technical challenges and required the adaptation of analytical methods to suit decision-making needs. This case study is not presented as a comprehensive approach applicable in all urban systems, but instead a template for urban restoration practitioners to adapt to their unique watershed and planning contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green Infrastructure)
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29 pages, 15679 KiB  
Article
Linking Plant Diversity and Urban Uses at the City-Block Scale to Inform Urban Planning
by Muriel Deparis, Nicolas Legay, Arthur Castellanos, Chloé Duque, Ulysse Guilloteau, Francis Isselin-Nondedeu and Sébastien Bonthoux
Land 2025, 14(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010003 - 24 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 710
Abstract
A challenge for urban ecology is to reduce biotic homogenisation by promoting plant diversity from local to city scales. As ecological and social components constantly interact in cities, an urban landscape characterisation reflecting socio-spatial functioning seems essential. However, spatially explicit description of cities [...] Read more.
A challenge for urban ecology is to reduce biotic homogenisation by promoting plant diversity from local to city scales. As ecological and social components constantly interact in cities, an urban landscape characterisation reflecting socio-spatial functioning seems essential. However, spatially explicit description of cities at a relevant scale for urban planning are uncommon in ecological studies. Here, we explored a new approach based on the city-block scale, common in urban geography and planning, to directly link urban uses and patterns of herbaceous plant communities. We characterised all city blocks of a medium-sized French city (Blois). We inventoried grassland and meadows in 129 city blocks (10% of the whole city) for seven public and private urban uses (collective housing, individual housing, industrial, public service, park, land reserve, and road verge). We measured alpha diversity, community composition, regional originality of urban uses, and beta diversity between them. Urban land reserved for future development and parks harbour unique community composition within the city. Collective and individual housings have the same average alpha diversity, but the variability in community composition was higher for individual housing blocks. School and industrial city blocks have important alpha diversity and regional originality. Road verges have the highest alpha diversity but low regional originality and many common urban and regional species. Large green spaces with original communities should be protected during urban densification. The verticalization of residential housing could be an efficient means of internal urban densification if the lowest level of management intensity is promoted to maintain diversified vegetation. Some little-studied uses (schools, industrial city blocks) present opportunities to impede urban homogenisation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green Infrastructure)
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18 pages, 18029 KiB  
Article
Challenges and Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementing Ecological Designs in Green Public Spaces: A Case Study of Hue City, Vietnam
by Maria Ignatieva, Duy Khiem Tran and Rosangela Tenorio
Land 2023, 12(9), 1772; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091772 - 13 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2281
Abstract
In recent years, ecological design has emerged as an innovative approach for landscape designs to address urban environmental issues such as biodiversity protection and the promotion of ecosystem services. However, in developing countries like Vietnam, an ecological approach is still in its early [...] Read more.
In recent years, ecological design has emerged as an innovative approach for landscape designs to address urban environmental issues such as biodiversity protection and the promotion of ecosystem services. However, in developing countries like Vietnam, an ecological approach is still in its early stages and requires more research and practical application. This study aims to explore stakeholder perspectives and identify suitable ecological landscape approaches through semi-structured interviews based on designed images. The findings reveal various challenges to implementing ecological designs in the public green spaces of Hue City, such as the prioritisation of short-term goals over ecosystem services, solely focusing on increasing green per capita, the lack of market interest, and the lack of motivation among different departments responsible for the design and management of public green spaces. In addition, the study also finds that stakeholders are willing to accept a hybrid ecological landscape approach in combination with ‘cues to care’ landscapes, such as buffer zones of well-managed vegetation or regularly cut lawns. Results highlight the necessity of prioritising ecosystem services in decision-making, policy, and planning development concerning urban green spaces in Vietnamese cities. In addition, education and awareness campaigns are needed for the public and stakeholders to increase acceptance of ecological design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green Infrastructure)
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Review

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25 pages, 5835 KiB  
Review
Multiple Roles of Green Space in the Resilience, Sustainability and Equity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Cities
by Paul Blaschke, Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Ralph Chapman, Edward Randal, Meredith Perry, Philippa Howden-Chapman and Elaine Gyde
Land 2024, 13(7), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071022 - 8 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2169
Abstract
Green space is needed in urban areas to increase resilience to climate change and other shocks, as well as for human health and wellbeing. Urban green space (UGS) is increasingly considered as green infrastructure and highly complementary to engineered urban infrastructure, such as [...] Read more.
Green space is needed in urban areas to increase resilience to climate change and other shocks, as well as for human health and wellbeing. Urban green space (UGS) is increasingly considered as green infrastructure and highly complementary to engineered urban infrastructure, such as water and transport networks. The needs for resilient, sustainable and equitable future wellbeing require strategic planning, designing and upgrading of UGS, especially in areas where it has been underprovided. We explore the implications of these needs for urban development through a detailed review of cited UGS analyses conducted on the larger cities in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). There are important differences in UGS availability (i.e., quantity), accessibility and quality within and between cities. Some of these differences stem from ad hoc patterns of development, as well as topography. They contribute to apparently growing inequities in the availability and accessibility of UGS. Broader health and wellbeing considerations, encompassing Indigenous and community values, should be at the heart of UGS design and decisionmaking. Most of AoNZ’s cities aim (at least to some extent) at densification and decarbonisation to accommodate a growing population without costly sprawl; however, to date, sprawl continues. Our findings indicate a clear need for the design and provision of high-quality, well-integrated UGS within and servicing areas of denser housing, which are typically areas in cities with a demonstrable UGS deficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research in Urban Ecology: Application into Landscape Design and Green Infrastructure)
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