Search Results (227)

Blue and green spaces (BGS) play a crucial role in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect by not only lowering land surface temperature (LST) but also regulating the urban microclimate and enhancing ecosystem services. In this study, Ningbo City is selected as the research area. LST data for the years 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023 were retrieved using Landsat 8 imagery processed via the Google Earth Engine platform, employing an atmospheric correction approach. Simultaneously, land use types were classified using the random forest algorithm. Based on these datasets, a Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression model was employed to quantitatively assess the spatial and temporal impacts of BGS changes on the UHI effect. The results reveal that (1) from 2014 to 2023, BGS in Ningbo exhibited a consistent decline, while construction land expanded significantly, leading to a gradual increase in the annual average LST; (2) strong UHI zones were primarily concentrated in urbanized zones and closely aligned with regions of elevated LST; the minimum, maximum, and average LST values in blue and green spaces were significantly lower than those observed in cultivated land and construction land; (3) the variation in the influence coefficient of blue space on LST was greater than that of green space, suggesting stronger spatiotemporal heterogeneity in its regulatory effect on the urban thermal environment. Additionally, the green-to-blue space area ratio increased from 9.7:1 in 2014 to 12.8:1 in 2023, deviating progressively from the optimal ecological balance. To promote sustainable urban development, it is imperative for Ningbo to strengthen the conservation and restoration of BGS, optimize their spatial configuration through evidence-based planning, and ensure the long-term stability of ecological functions. Full article

Confronted with the climate emergency, reducing CO₂ emissions has become a priority for all nations of the world because the follow-up of humanity depends on it. Most European Union (EU) member states have pledged to cut their net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach full carbon neutrality by 2050, using 1990 as the baseline year. Despite this common effort, there is still a lack of effective decision-making on carbon neutrality strategies applied throughout the life cycle of a building in all EU countries. A common strategy is proposed in this study to fill this gap in the literature. The building sector is a real lever for reducing the carbon footprint and saving energy. Currently, the methodology for achieving large-scale carbon neutrality is well established. However, there is only a limited number of experts worldwide who have mastered this technology, making it challenging to develop a standardized approach for all nations. The absence of extensive, regular, and consistent data on carbon emissions has considerably hindered the understanding of the root causes of climate change at both the building and neighborhood levels. Is it not it time to break this barrier? With this in mind, this study was carried out with the intention of proposing a common method to achieve carbon neutrality at the neighborhood scale in European Union countries. The most significant parameters having a direct impact on carbon emissions have facilitated the adaptation of the three types of neighborhood in the different capitals of the EU countries, in particular, local building materials, microclimate, the energy mix of each country, and the mode of daily transport. The life cycle assessment of the three districts was conducted using the Plaides LCAv6.25.3 tool in combination with Meteonorm software version 8.2.0, considering a 100-year lifespan for the buildings. In addition, the cost of the various environmental impacts is assessed based on the monetary indicators for European Committee for Standardization indicators method. The main results showed that the distribution of carbon dioxide is 73.3% higher in urban areas than in sustainable neighborhoods and 39.0% higher in urban districts than in rural districts. Nearly zero emissions in the next decade are again possible by applying the scenario involves global warming combined with the complete (100%) renovation of all buildings and the transition to 100% electric vehicles along with the use of solar panels. This strategy makes it possible to reduce between 90.1% and 99.9% of the emission rate in residential districts regarding EU countries. Full article

Soil active nitrogen (N) fractions are essential for plant growth and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. While previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of vegetation restoration on soil active nitrogen in karst ecosystems, the role of microclimate variation in rocky desertification areas has not been well explored. This study investigates soil active nitrogen fractions and key biotic and abiotic factors across four grades of rocky desertification—non-rocky desertification (NRD), light rocky desertification (LRD), moderate rocky desertification (MRD), and intense rocky desertification (IRD)—within two distinct microclimates: a dry-hot valley and a humid monsoon zone in the karst region of Guizhou Province, China. We evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), soil nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), soluble organic nitrogen (SON), and plant diversity. Results showed that SOC, TN, and TP were significantly higher in IRD areas. Soil NO₃⁻-N, MBN, and SON initially decreased before increasing, with consistent MBN growth in the dry-hot valley. NH₄⁺-N did not differ significantly under NRD but was higher in the dry-hot valley under LRD, MRD, and IRD. The dry-hot valley had higher MBN and SON across most desertification grades. Microclimate significantly influenced soil active N, with higher levels in the dry-hot valley under LRD and MRD conditions. Plant diversity and regeneration varied markedly between the microclimates. In the dry-hot valley, Artemisia dominated herbaceous regeneration, especially in MRD areas. Conversely, the humid monsoon zone showed more diverse regeneration, with Artemisia and Bidens prevalent in MRD and NRD grades. Despite declining plant diversity with desertification, the humid monsoon zone displayed greater resilience. These findings highlight the role of microclimate in influencing soil nitrogen dynamics and plant regeneration across rocky desertification gradients, offering insights for restoration strategies in karst ecosystems. Full article

China’s urbanization process has entered the stage of mid-to-late transformation and upgrading, with the urbanization and population growth rates having passed the turning point. Urban renewal has become an increasingly important issue, among which the renovation of old residential areas holds enormous potential. The improvement of the living environment is urgent, and enhancing the microclimate to improve the livability and comfort of outdoor residential spaces is a critical factor. This study presents for the first time a quantitative framework for multifactor synergistic optimization by coupling building layout closure and material albedo effects. This paper takes typical old residential areas in Fuyang as an example and uses 3D microclimate simulation software (ENVI-met Version 4.3) to establish a simulation model. It evaluates the microclimate and thermal comfort under different building layouts, green infrastructures, building envelope materials, and various surface materials. The results show that: (1) Regarding building layout, the point-cluster layout generally results in the best improvement of daily cumulative physiological equivalent temperature (PET) values, followed by row-type and enclosed layouts; (2) The optimal solutions for improving the daily average PET value are as follows: using glass as the building envelope material in the point-cluster layout; 100% tree coverage in the row-type layout; and 100% asphalt coverage as the surface material in the point-cluster layout. These three conditions reduce the daily average PET by 3.51 °C, 23.87 °C, and 2.65 °C, respectively; (3) The degree of impact on PET is ranked as: green infrastructure configuration > building layout > building envelope materials > surface materials; (4) When the building layout of the residential area is more enclosed, such as using row-type or enclosed layouts, the order of building envelope materials improving thermal comfort is: brick, concrete, and glass. When the building layout is less enclosed, such as using point-cluster layouts, the order of building envelope materials improving thermal comfort is: glass, brick, and concrete. Therefore, it is concluded that applying point-cluster layout in buildings, using glass as the building envelope material, and having 100% coverage of asphalt pavement as the surface material and 100% coverage of trees can maximize the improvement of the thermal environment of the buildings. The conclusion is applicable to old residential areas in warm temperate semi-humid monsoon climatic zones characterized by high densities (floor area ratios > 2.5) and high rates of hardening of the ground (≥80%), and is particularly instructive for medium-sized urban renewal projects with an urbanization rate between 45% and 60%. Full article

The restorative effects of various environmental factors within urban forests on physical and mental health exhibit significant differences. Specifically, vegetation types and topographical slope positions are key elements contributing to the environmental heterogeneity of urban forests. However, there is a lack of studies that have concurrently examined the health restoration effects of both factors. This study conducted an empirical experiment on university students in urban forests during the autumn season, investigating the effects of different vegetation types and slope positions on physiological and psychological restoration, and identifying the key environmental factors contributing to these effects. The results show the following: (1) Urban forests with different vegetation types exhibit varying restorative effects, with coniferous forests offering greater physiological restoration benefits than coniferous–broadleaf mixed forests. (2) Slope position affects both physiological and psychological restoration. In coniferous forests, the restorative effects on physical and mental health are greater at the top and midslope positions compared to the bottom slope position; in coniferous–broadleaf mixed forests, the best physiological restoration effects occur at the midslope position. (3) The key environmental factors influencing physiological restoration in urban coniferous forests are panoramic green coverage and elevation. (4) In urban coniferous–broadleaf mixed forests, temperature, humidity, and wind speed are the key factors affecting physiological restoration. This study reveals the restorative differences in urban forests under different vegetation types and slope positions, identifies the key environmental factors influencing health restoration, and provides a theoretical basis for further research on the impact of urban forests on human health. Future urban forest layout and design should fully consider the characteristics of different slope positions, optimize microclimate regulation, and maximize their role in promoting public health. Full article

Cold climate viticulture is challenged by climatic variability, including increased frost risk, shorter growing seasons, and unpredictable weather events that impact vine productivity and grape quality. Global warming is altering traditional viticulture zones, prompting the exploration of new regions for grape cultivation, the selection of climate-resilient cultivars, and the implementation of adaptive practices. This review synthesizes recent advances in adaptive viticulture practices and plant growth regulator applications, highlighting novel molecular and physiological insights on cold stress resilience and berry quality. Key strategies include delayed winter pruning to mitigate frost damage, osmoprotectant application to improve freeze tolerance, and canopy management techniques (cluster thinning and defoliation) to enhance berry ripening and wine composition. Their effectiveness depends on vineyard microclimate, soil properties and variety-specific physiological response. Cover cropping is examined for its role in vine vigor regulation, improving soil microbial diversity, and water retention, though its effectiveness depends on soil type, participation patterns, and vineyard management practices. Recent transcriptomic and metabolomic studies have provided new regulatory mechanisms in cold stress adaptation, highlighting the regulatory roles of abscisic acid, brassinosteroids, ethylene, and salicylic acid in dormancy induction, oxidative stress response, and osmotic regulation. Reflective mulch technologies are currently examined for their ability to enhance light interception, modulating secondary metabolite accumulation, improving technological maturity (soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity) and enhancing phenolic compounds content. The effectiveness of these strategies remains highly site-specific, influenced by variety selection and pruning methods particularly due to their differences on sugar accumulation and berry weight. Future research should prioritize long-term vineyard trials to refine these adaptive strategies, integrate genetic and transcriptomic insights into breeding programs to improve cold hardiness, and develop precision viticulture tools tailored to cold climate vineyard management. Full article

Current building energy modeling (BEM) tools lack the capability to inherently simulate the impacts of urban microclimates on building energy performance. While efforts have been made to integrate BEM with Urban Microclimate Modeling (UMM) tools, their ability to capture spatial and seasonal microclimate variations remains limited. This review critically evaluates existing urban microclimate-integrated BEM approaches and their effectiveness in modeling the complex interactions between urban form, microclimate, and building energy performance. Through an analysis of 94 research articles, the review first examines the influence of urban form on microclimates, followed by an assessment of how microclimatic conditions impact building energy use. Additionally, it evaluates conventional modeling frameworks employed in BEM tools and their limitations in representing dynamic microclimatic variations. The findings emphasize the non-linear heat exchange relationships between urban form and microclimate, typically modeled using computationally intensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based UMM tools. This review introduces a classification of heat exchange types: atmospheric heat exchange, involving air temperature, wind, and humidity, and non-atmospheric heat exchange, driven by radiative interactions with surrounding urban surfaces. The study further highlights that modifying standard weather files and heat transfer coefficients alone is insufficient for BEM tools to accurately capture near-surface microclimate variations. By identifying critical insights and research gaps, this review establishes a foundation for advancing next-generation urban microclimate-integrated BEM approaches, emphasizing the need for computationally efficient and dynamically responsive modeling techniques. Full article

In the context of research on climate, microclimate, and heritage buildings or museums, archaeological sites represent a unique type of cultural environment. In these settings, the outdoor microclimate is one of the primary factors to consider and manage, both for the preservation of the heritage assets and for the well-being of the visitors. As is well-known, archaeological sites are generally spaces of vegetation colonisation and significant reservoirs of biodiversity. Given that the longevity of a monument is closely tied to its surrounding environment, it is evident that its conservation is significantly influenced by the presence of spontaneous vegetation that colonises it or the designed vegetative structures that surround it. Furthermore, studies have documented that this vegetation is an important factor to consider for the thermal comfort of visitors. In this article, a research methodology is proposed, applied to an Italian case study, in which choices regarding the conservation/removal of the vegetation (roots, leafs, etc.) (Vegetation Hazard Impact Index—VHII) at an archaeological site are examined, along with their impacts on the outdoor microclimate and the thermal comfort of visitors. The findings demonstrate that an approach exclusively focused on removing vegetation deemed invasive risks exacerbating thermal discomfort and, consequently, diminishing the usability of the archaeological site. Full article

The usage of photoselective anti-hail nets is a modern approach to protect crops from adverse climatic factors with additional beneficial effects on orchard performance. Therefore, this study explored the impact of photoselective nets (blue, red, pearl, and yellow net) and the black net on the microclimate, plant growth, yield, ripening time, and fruit quality attributes of the blueberry cultivar ‘Duke’. The Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density values were elevated under the pearl and yellow nets in both years studied. Average daily air temperatures did not differ between the nets in 2022, while a slight decrease was registered under the black net in 2023. The red net enhanced the average number of younger and total number of shoots per bush and also caused a notable increase in the fruit number and yield per bush, as well as fruit weight, compared to the other tested nets. The pearl net accelerated the onset of ripening in both years studied, while the blue and yellow net delayed ripening in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The blue net was distinguished by the increased blueness of fruit skin and total soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, while individual sugar types and organic acids were more influenced by the season. The findings indicate that the red net performed the best in terms of most agronomic and biometrical fruit traits of the potted highbush blueberry cultivar ‘Duke’. Full article

The invasion of Opuntioideae (cacti) was assessed at national, European, and global levels >14 years ago and requires an urgent update. At present, only three species of this subfamily are retained in the official list of the Swiss Federal Bureau of Environment, two of them being potentially invasive. About 550 new observations of Opuntia Mill. and Cylindropuntia (Engelm.) F. M. Knuth in the Swiss Cantons Valais, Vaud, and Ticino have been entered in the Swiss Info Flora database. Our observations include the revision of previously registered and new stations, using a revised taxonomy presented here. Our study covering the last 5 years reveals 12 species, each with a specific ecology. Four species have an invasive potential at a local level in the xeric Central Valais. We characterized the habitat of each species by bedrock and soil type, exposure, and microclimate. Opuntia mesacantha (ex O. humifusa Complex) and O. phaeacantha are currently invasive in the municipality of Sion. Opuntia cymochila (hitherto lumped with O. phaeacantha) is dominant in the municipality of Fully, and Opuntia engelmannii is expanding east of Fully. In Ticino and the Jura foothills, adaptations to 2–3-fold annual precipitation and limestone bedrock are explained by the different soil properties and root systems of Opuntias. Methods of control, in particular, the uprooting currently practiced in Fully and Sion, are discussed. Full article

This study provides fundamental data for optimal planning by analyzing key factors influencing microclimate and building energy loads. * to provide fundamental data for optimal planning. A total of 11 apartment layout types, including tower-type, flat-type, and mixed-type configurations, were analyzed using ENVI-met simulations. The results indicate that layout types significantly influence microclimate and energy consumption. Tower-type layouts enhanced wind flow, reducing surface temperatures and cooling loads. In contrast, dense flat-type layouts restricted airflow, leading to heat accumulation and increased cooling energy demand. Mixed layouts exhibited varied effects depending on the proportion of open spaces and high-density clusters. Additionally, south-facing layouts optimized solar radiation, reducing heating loads, whereas east–west-facing layouts experienced imbalanced solar exposure, increasing cooling demand by 15–20% in the summer. Horizontal parallel and staggered layouts improved ventilation efficiency and mitigated heat accumulation, making them effective strategies for enhancing microclimate and reducing energy consumption. This study confirms that apartment layout planning plays a crucial role in microclimate regulation and energy efficiency. The findings can guide architectural strategies to improve thermal comfort and reduce building energy consumption. Full article

As a type of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), stormwater parks play a crucial role in mitigating urban heat and managing stormwater, especially in subtropical monsoon climates where high temperatures and rainfall coincide. The benefits of microclimate improvement are associated with the specific surface types of stormwater parks. However, research on how different surfaces affect the microclimates of stormwater parks remains limited. This study utilized an unmanned aerial vehicle to investigate the surface temperature characteristics of blue–green–gray underlying surfaces within a stormwater park and employed multiple linear regression to analyze their impact on the microclimate. The results indicated that (1) blue underlying surfaces functioned as a stable cold source in dry periods but warmed quickly after rainfall. (2) Green surfaces consistently provided a cooling effect on the microclimate, with cooling intensity intricately related to vegetation structure. Specifically, the cooling effects of arbor–shrub–grass and arbor–shrub combinations were greater than those of other plant configurations. (3) The warming effect of gray underlying surfaces was affected by weather conditions and permeability, with pervious concrete exhibiting lower surface temperatures than impervious pavements during dry spells, although this difference diminished significantly after rain. These findings provide scientific evidence and design guidance for enhancing the sustainability of microclimates. Full article

This study aims to understand the impacts of climate change and extreme climate events on residential buildings and explore how existing buildings can be adapted to resist these negative impacts. A bibliometric and scientometric analysis was conducted on resilient residential retrofits to highlight the prevalent themes, critical directions, and gaps in the literature, which can inform future research directions. The resilient residential retrofit publications from 2012 to 2023 were retrieved and analyzed using text-mining software. In all, 4011 publications and 2623 patents were identified. The analysis revealed an average annual publication growth rate of 11%, indicating increasing interest in resilient residential retrofits. Four central topics were explored specifically throughout the study, as they are known to be the most prevalent climate risks for residential buildings: Overheating, Flooding, Wind, and Wildfires. The research trends analysis reveals that emerging interests in resilient residential retrofit encompass nature-based solutions, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, microclimates, durability, post-disaster recovery, and extreme events. Nearly half of the publications reference urban context and over one-third mention costs. The building envelope is the most frequently discussed housing component. Although energy retrofit was not the primary focus of this study and was not specifically searched for, energy concerns were still prevalent in the dataset, highlighting the critical importance of energy efficiency and management in resilient residential retrofits. The analysis of R&D momentum revealed several research gaps. Despite high growth rates, there are low publication rates on key topics such as durability, holistic approaches, microclimates, nature-based solutions, and traditional homes, to name a few. These areas could benefit from further research in the context of climate-resilient residential retrofits. Additionally, the analysis indicates a lack of publications on cross-themed research specific to rural and suburban settings. There are also few studies addressing combinations of themes, such as overheating in high-rise buildings, wildfires in Nordic climates, and flooding risk in smart homes within the scope of resilient residential retrofits. The United States leads in publication output, followed by China and the UK, with China dominating the patent landscape. This scientometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape in resilient residential retrofit, systematically maps and analyzes the vast amount of research output, and identifies the key trends and gaps, enabling us to see a type of quantitative snapshot of the research in a field at a certain point in time and thus providing a unique point of view. This study helps stakeholders prioritize efforts and resources effectively for guiding future research, funding decisions, informing policy decisions, and ultimately enhancing the resilience of residential buildings to climate-related challenges. Full article

Surface properties in complex urban environments can significantly impact local-level temperature gradients and distribution on several scales. Studying temperature anomalies and identifying heat pockets in urban settings is challenging. Limited high-resolution datasets are available that do not translate into an accurate assessment of near-surface temperature. This study developed a model to predict land surface temperature (LST) at a high spatial–temporal resolution in urban areas using Landsat data and meteorological inputs from NLDAS. This study developed an urban microclimate (UC) model to predict air temperature at high spatial–temporal resolution for inner urban areas through a land surface and build-up scheme. The innovative aspect of the model is the inclusion of micro-features in land use characteristics, which incorporate surface types, urban vegetation, building density and heights, short wave radiation, and relative humidity. Statistical models, including the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) and spatial autoregression (SAR), were developed to predict land surface temperature (LST) based on surface characteristics and weather parameters. The model was applied to urban microclimates in densely populated regions, focusing on Manhattan and New York City. The results indicated that the SAR model performed better (R² = 0.85, RMSE = 0.736) in predicting micro-scale LST variations compared to the GAM (R² = 0.39, RMSE = 1.203) and validated the accuracy of the LST prediction model with R² ranging from 0.79 to 0.95. Full article

The thermal and optical behavior of different elements in the urban environment is critical for urban climate regulation and planning. This study investigates the micrometeorological conditions prevailing in an urban green space (UGS) in Greece, during the heatwave of July 2023, addressing the effects of various surface materials on thermal dynamics and the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. The research is based on ground surface temperature and albedo measurements on different materials in the UGS, in the morning and at noon, showing great temperature differences between the different types of materials. The findings highlight the complex interaction between high-albedo surfaces and surface temperature values, suggesting that the proper selection of materials can highly affect the optical and thermal behavior of the urban environment. Artificial materials absorb more heat compared to natural vegetation, leading to high surface temperature values, reaching at noon, for example, 58.9 °C for asphalt. For the natural surfaces, dry bare soil presents similar thermal behavior (64.1 °C at noon), while green surfaces had much lower temperatures (e.g., 38.3 °C for grass). Thermal comfort indices revealed that July 2023 experienced extensive “very hot” conditions, imposing the urgent need for strategic urban planning to mitigate heat impacts. The study highlights that in order to create climate-resilient environments and improve thermal comfort, it is crucial to include suitable materials and a variety of vegetation in urban design. Such insights into the complex nature of urban microclimate indicates also the issue of the careful selection of materials and plant species in urban greening initiatives to help cities face the UHI phenomenon. Full article