Socioeconomics explain tree diversity, abundance, and composition in the compact city of Barcelona, Spain

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABTrees are frequently unevenly distributed in urban areas, and their diversity, abundance, and composition vary spatially. Some studies have shown that the unequal distribution of urban trees can be associated with demographic and socioeconomic factors. However, most studies have been conducted in diffuse urban systems using remotely-sensed tree cover within single or aggregated land-use types. We examined if the relationship between tree diversity, abundance, composition, and socioeconomic factors varied across land-use types (parks, streets, zonal areas, and total) in the compact city of Barcelona, Spain. We calculated tree species richness and abundance across 73 neighborhoods using 229,962 geo-referenced records of individual trees sampled in 2021. Life expectancy positively explained tree richness and abundance across land-use types, reinforcing that access to urban green infrastructure promotes longer life spans. In contrast, income did not positively explain tree richness or abundance, indicating that tree distribution does not directly result in biodiversity and green space inequalities for disadvantaged groups in terms of income. Total tree composition across neighborhoods responded to socioeconomic gradients, evidencing that neighborhood appearances are socially stratified. Street tree abundance increased in densely populated neighborhoods, possibly because intense street tree plantings in these neighborhoods compensate for the lack of other green infrastructure. Urban tree planting, particularly in streets, can be an effective strategy to increase green spaces in compact cities to overcome the disparities resulting from the unequal distribution of urban vegetation. Long-term data on socioeconomic factors and urban tree distribution are necessary to determine how social stratification affects urban diversity

Examinando las fronteras florísticas entre tipologias de jardín a escala global

Gardens represent important sources of goods and services for their owners. This functionality translates directly into the types of plants cultivated in a given garden, and terminology has been developed to distinguish each category of garden according to its purpose. The factors explaining the differentiation and distribution of gardens have not previously been explored at the global scale. In this study, the plant lists for 44 sets of gardens from around the world were analyzed to explore their taxonomic similarities and the factors shaping each garden. Several biophysical and socioeconomic variables were examined at the appropriate scale for their roles in garden species distribution. Physical and climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, potential evapotranspiration and distance between settlements) were found to be significantly related with species makeup; all of these factors were less important than GDP per person, a proxy for household income, which was determined to be the primary driver of garden composition. All of the studied socioeconomic factors, such as language similarity among settlements and population density, were significant drivers of species distribution. However, the present analysis omits a number of variables due to data unavailability, such as garden size and owner gender, which have been previously recognized as influences on garden plant composition. The genera cultivated in different gardens were found to be very different from each other, and the definitions of each type are hard to establish from these data alone. Finally, the implications of likely future income variations, such those caused by severe economic crisis, and global climate change on bio-cultural diversity and food security are discussed.Los jardines son una importante fuente de bienes y servicios para los residentes de un hogar. Su función se traduce directamente en el tipo de plantas que en ellos se cultiva. Por otro lado, la terminología usada para denominar los distintos tipos de jardín en inglés (garden, homegarden, forest garden, etc.) varía según su función y propósito. Los factores que explican la diferenciación y distribución de los jardines a escala global no habían sido previamente explorados hasta ahora. En este estudio se han analizado los inventarios florísticos de 44 conjuntos de jardines de to do el mundo para explorar sus similitudes taxonómicas y los factores que configuran la distribución de su flora. Para ello, se escogieron distintas variables biofísicas y socioeconómicas a una escala apropiada de trabajo. Como resultado, los factores biofísicos y climáticos (temperatura, precipitación, evapotranspiración potencial y distancia entre asentamientos) se hallaron significativamente relacionados con la distribución de las especies; no obstante, todos estos factores resultaron ser menos importantes que el GDP (PIB) per cápita, utilizado aquí como indicador de los ingresos del hogar, y que se obtuvo como el principal impulsor de la composición de los jardines. También el resto de factores sociales y culturales incluidos en el análisis, como son la similitud entre las lenguas de los distintos asentamientos o la densidad de población, se encontraron como variables significativas. Cabe señalar que el presente análisis omite cierto número de variables debido a la no disponibilidad de datos. Algunas de estas variables son el tamaño del jardín o el género de su dueño, las cuales han sido reconocidas previamente como agentes influyentes en la composición vegetal de los jardines. El estudio concluye que los géneros vegetales cultivados en los conjuntos de jardines son muy diferentes entre sí y que, por lo tanto, las distinciones entre tipologías de jardín son difíciles de establecer a partir de tan solo datos florísticos. Por último, se discuten también las implicaciones que podrían tener posibles futuras fluctuaciones en el nivel de la renta (causadas por una severa crisis económica) o el cambio climático, sobre la diversidad bio-cultural y la seguridad alimentaria.Project name: “New patterns in water demand and management in low-density urban and touristic areas. the case of the Costa Brava (Girona)”. Ref: cso2010-17488. Funded by: Ministry of Science and Innovation. Principal investigator: Anna Ribas Palom. Josep Padullés Cubino has a FPI grant to undertake PhD. Ref: BES-2011-046475

Pequeños y medianos gestores de alojamientos y oportunidades para la conservación del agua

To improve the environmental performance of small and medium ‑sized accommodation enterprises, it is important to understand the factors and motivations that move managers to adopt more efficient technologies and ecologically responsible practices. A sample of 18 independent family ‑run hotels and campsites were contacted in the mature tourist resort area of the Costa Brava (Spain). The research worked with a combination of surveys and semi ‑structured interviews directed at top managers. Saving water is revealed as a matter figuring low on the list of priorities of most managers, while competitive advantages and stakeholder pressures appear as less relevant drivers than is posited in most of the scientific literature. We conclude that addressing organizational factors holds more promise in terms of transformative power supporting water conservation than structural or technological changes.A fin de lograr una mejora de la gestión ambiental de las pequeñas y medianas empresas de alojamiento es importante comprender los factores y motivaciones que impulsan a sus gestores a adoptar tecnologías más eficientes y prácticas ecológicamente responsables. Una muestra de 18 hoteles y campings en la destinación turística madura de la Costa Brava (España), todos ellos gestionados por empresas familiares independientes, fueron contactados para el proyecto. La investigación se basó en la combinación de encuestas y entrevistas semi ‑estructuradas con los máximos responsables de los establecimientos. El ahorro de agua se revela como una cuestión de baja prioridad para la mayoría de gestores, mientras que las ventajas competitivas y la competencia por el uso de agua por parte de otros grupos sociales aparecen como factores menos relevantes que en la mayor parte de la literatura científica publicada. Se concluye que incidir sobre los factores organizativos tiene un mayor potencial de transformación de las empresas para el ahorro hídrico que no los cambios que puedan realizarse a nivel estructural o tecnológico

“Geoactiva’t”. Creating synergies among different levels of education

El projecte Geoactiva’t neix al Departament de Geografia de la Universitat de Girona com a eina per acostar els estudiants del grau de Geografia, Ordenació del Territori i Gestió del Medi Ambient a la tasca docent de secundària i, alhora, presentar, als alumnes d’ESO, conceptes, eines i mètodes de la geografia des d’una perspectiva experimental i dinàmica. S’organitza a partir de sis sessions, amb la col·laboració de quatre llicenciats o graduats en Geografia que han realitzat el màster en Formació del Professorat d’ESO i batxillerat. Entre els èxits assolits per aquest projecte, en destaquen la motivació per aprendre que es genera entre l’alumnat de secundària, la possibilitat que té l’alumne del grau de descobrir la tasca docent abans de realitzar els estudis de postgrau i la promoció que es fa dels estudis del grau de Geografia en l’àmbit de l’educació secundària.El proyecto Geoactiva’t nace en el Departamento de Geografía de la Universidad de Girona con el doble objetivo de, por una parte, acercar el alumnado del grado de Geografía, Ordenación del Territorio y Gestión del Medio Ambiente a las tareas docentes de secundaria y, por otra, presentar a los alumnos de secundaria conceptos, herramientas y métodos de la geografía desde una perspectiva experimental y dinámica. Se organiza a partir de seis sesiones que cuentan con la colaboración de cuatro licenciados o graduados en Geografía que han realizado el máster en Formación del Profesorado de ESO y bachillerato. Entre los logros de este proyecto, destacan la motivación para aprender que se genera entre el alumnado de secundaria, la posibilidad que tiene el estudiante de grado de descubrir la tarea docente antes de iniciar estudios de postgrado y la promoción de los estudios del grado de Geografía en el ámbito de la educación secundaria.Le projet Geoactiva’t a été conçu dans le Département de Géographie de l’Universitat de Girona dans un double objectif : en premier lieu, faire connaître l’enseignement secondaire aux étudiants suivant la licence de Géographie, de l’Aménagement du Territoire et de Gestion de l’Environnement, et aussi, initier les élèves de l’enseignement secondaire aux concepts, outils et méthodes de la géographie dans une perspective dynamique et expérimentale. The projet est organisé autour de 6 sessions d’enseignement avec la participation de 4 géographes qui ont achevé le Master de Formation des Enseignants de l’école secondaire. Les réalisations de ce projet comprennent la motivation pour apprendre généré par le projet chez les élèves de secondaire, la possibilité offerte à l’étudiant de la Licence de Géographie de découvrir la tâche d’enseignement avant de commencer des études de troisième cycle et la promotion des études de Licence de Géographie parmi les élèves de l’enseignement secondaire.The Geoactiva’t project was designed by the Department of Geography at the University of Girona as a tool to introduce undergraduate students to secondary teaching, as well as to show secondary school students various concepts, tools and methods used in geography from an experimental and dynamic perspective. The project is organized in six different sessions with the collaboration of four graduates of the Bachelor’s Degree in Geography who have completed a master program in secondary education. The major goals of the Geoactiva’t project include fostering motivation for learning among secondary school students, discovering secondary teaching before reaching the post-graduate level and promoting geography studies in secondary education

"Geoactiva't" : establir sinergies entre nivells educatius diferents

El projecte Geoactiva't neix al Departament de Geografia de la Universitat de Girona com a eina per acostar els estudiants del grau de Geografia, Ordenació del Territori i Gestió del Medi Ambient a la tasca docent de secundària i, alhora, presentar, als alumnes d'ESO, conceptes, eines i mètodes de la geografia des d'una perspectiva experimental i dinàmica. S'organitza a partir de sis sessions, amb la col·laboració de quatre llicenciats o graduats en Geografia que han realitzat el màster en Formació del Professorat d'ESO i batxillerat. Entre els èxits assolits per aquest projecte, en destaquen la motivació per aprendre que es genera entre l'alumnat de secundària, la possibilitat que té l'alumne del grau de descobrir la tasca docent abans de realitzar els estudis de postgrau i la promoció que es fa dels estudis del grau de Geografia en l'àmbit de l'educació secundària.El proyecto Geoactiva't nace en el Departamento de Geografía de la Universidad de Girona con el doble objetivo de, por una parte, acercar el alumnado del grado de Geografía, Ordenación del Territorio y Gestión del Medio Ambiente a las tareas docentes de secundaria y, por otra, presentar a los alumnos de secundaria conceptos, herramientas y métodos de la geografía desde una perspectiva experimental y dinámica. Se organiza a partir de seis sesiones que cuentan con la colaboración de cuatro licenciados o graduados en Geografía que han realizado el máster en Formación del Profesorado de ESO y bachillerato. Entre los logros de este proyecto, destacan la motivación para aprender que se genera entre el alumnado de secundaria, la posibilidad que tiene el estudiante de grado de descubrir la tarea docente antes de iniciar estudios de postgrado y la promoción de los estudios del grado de Geografía en el ámbito de la educación secundaria.Le projet Geoactiva't a été conçu dans le Département de Géographie de l'Universitat de Girona dans un double objectif : en premier lieu, faire connaître l'enseignement secondaire aux étudiants suivant la licence de Géographie, de l'Aménagement du Territoire et de Gestion de l'Environnement, et aussi, initier les élèves de l'enseignement secondaire aux concepts, outils et méthodes de la géographie dans une perspective dynamique et expérimentale. The projet est organisé autour de 6 sessions d'enseignement avec la participation de 4 géographes qui ont achevé le Master de Formation des Enseignants de l'école secondaire. Les réalisations de ce projet comprennent la motivation pour apprendre généré par le projet chez les élèves de secondaire, la possibilité offerte à l'étudiant de la Licence de Géographie de découvrir la tâche d'enseignement avant de commencer des études de troisième cycle et la promotion des études de Licence de Géographie parmi les élèves de l'enseignement secondaire.The Geoactiva't project was designed by the Department of Geography at the University of Girona as a tool to introduce undergraduate students to secondary teaching, as well as to show secondary school students various concepts, tools and methods used in geography from an experimental and dynamic perspective. The project is organized in six different sessions with the collaboration of four graduates of the Bachelor's Degree in Geography who have completed a master program in secondary education. The major goals of the Geoactiva't project include fostering motivation for learning among secondary school students, discovering secondary teaching before reaching the post-graduate level and promoting geography studies in secondary education

Contrasting impacts of cultivated exotics on the functional diversity of domestic gardens in three regions with different aridity

Cultivated exotic plants are often introduced for their aesthetic value and today comprise a substantial fraction of the flora of urban domestic gardens. Yet, their relative contribution to the functional diversity of domestic gardens and how it changes across different climate zones is insufficiently understood. Here, we investigated whether the effects of cultivated exotics on functional diversity of three plant traits related to plant aesthetics (that is, plant showiness, plant height, and leaf area) varied in suburban domestic gardens in three regions (Minnesota, USA; Alt Empordà, Spain; and central South Africa) that differ in aridity. For each garden, we calculated the mean and variance of each plant trait considering all co-occurring species and also splitting them into co-occurring cultivated exotics and natives. Our results revealed that mean plant showiness increased linearly with the proportion of cultivated exotics both across and within studied regions. Moreover, co-occurring cultivated exotics were, on average, showier than natives in all regions, but differences in their trait variances were context-dependent. The interaction between cultivated exotics and aridity explained variation in mean plant height and leaf area better than either predictor alone, with the effect of cultivated exotics being stronger in more arid regions. Accordingly, co-occurring cultivated exotics were taller and had larger leaves than natives in warmer and drier regions, while the opposite was true in cooler and wetter regions. Our study highlights the need to consider the combined effects of exotic species and climate in future studies of urban ecology

The leaf economic and plant size spectra of European forest understory vegetation

Forest understories play a vital role in ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. However, the extent to which environmental conditions drive dominant ecological strategies in forest understories at the continental scale remains understudied. Here, we used ~29 500 forest vegetation plots sampled across Europe and classified into 25 forest types to explore the relative role of macroclimate, soil pH and tree canopy cover in driving abundance-weighted patterns in the leaf economic spectrum (LES) and plant size spectrum (PSS) of forest understories (shrub and herb layers). We calculated LES using specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and PSS using plant height and seed mass of vascular plant species found in the understories. We found that forest understories had more conservative leaf economics in areas with more extreme mean annual temperatures (mainly Fennoscandia and the Mediterranean Basin), more extreme soil pH and under more open canopies. Warm and summer-dry regions around the Mediterranean Basin and areas of Atlantic Europe also had taller understories with heavier seeds than continental temperate or boreal areas. Understories of broadleaved deciduous forests, such as Fagus forests on non-acid soils, or ravine forests, more commonly hosted species with acquisitive leaf economics. In contrast, some coniferous forests, such as Pinus, Larix and Picea mire forests, or Pinus sylvestris light taiga and sclerophyllous forests, more commonly hosted species with conservative leaf economics. Our findings highlight the importance of macroclimate and soil factors in driving trait variation of understory communities at the continental scale and the mediator effect of canopy cover on these relationships. We also provide the first maps and analyses of LES and PSS of forest understories across Europe and give evidence that the understories of European forest types are differently positioned along major axes of trait variation

Phylogenetic structure of alien plant species pools from European donor habitats

Aim Many plant species native to Europe have naturalized worldwide. We tested whether the phylogenetic structure of the species pools of European habitats is related to the proportion of species from each habitat that has naturalized outside Europe (habitat’s donor role) and whether the donated species are more phylogenetically related to each other than expected by chance. Location Europe (native range), the rest of the world (invaded range). Time period Last c. 100 years. Major taxa studied Angiospermae. Methods We selected 33 habitats in Europe and analysed their species pools, including 9,636 plant species, of which 2,293 have naturalized outside Europe. We assessed the phylogenetic structure of each habitat as the difference between the observed and expected mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (MPD) for (a) the whole species pool and (b) subgroups of species that have naturalized outside Europe and those that have not. We used generalized linear models to test for the effects of the phylogenetic structure and the level of human influence on the habitat’s donor role. Results Habitats strongly to moderately influenced by humans often showed phylogenetically clustered species pools. Within the clustered species pools, those species that have naturalized outside Europe showed a random phylogenetic structure. Species pools of less human-influenced natural habitats varied from phylogenetically clustered to overdispersed, with donated naturalized species also often showing random patterns within the species pools. Donor roles in both habitat groups increased with increasing MPD within habitats. Main conclusions European human-influenced habitats donate closely related species that often naturalize in disturbed habitats outside their native range. Natural habitats donate species from different lineages with various ecological strategies that allow them to succeed in different habitats in the invaded range. However, the naturalized species donated by most European habitats are phylogenetically random subsets of their species pools

Plant taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover increases toward climatic extremes and depends on historical factors in European beech forests

Aims: The effect of biogeographical processes on the spatial turnover component of beta-diversity over large spatial extents remains scarcely understood. Here, we aim at disentangling the roles of environmental and historical factors on plant taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover, while controlling for the effects of species richness and rarity. Location: European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests in Europe. Methods: We aggregated plant species occurrences from vegetation plots in spatial grid cells of 0.25º × 0.25º to calculate the spatial turnover component of taxonomic (TBD) and phylogenetic (PBD) beta-diversity for each cell. We also calculated the deviation of PBD given TBD (PBD), which measures the importance of phylogenetic turnover after factoring out taxonomic turnover. Beta-diversity was calculated for each grid cell as the mean pairwise dissimilarity between the focal cell and all other cells. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between environmental (climate, soil pH, and distance from the geographical distribution limit of beech) and historical (distance from beech glacial refugia) predictors and beta-diversity metrics. Results: We found a geographically consistent variation in taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover. Overall, TBD and PBD increased significantly toward more extreme climatic conditions, on more acidic soils, and toward the margins of beech distribution. The effects of environmental variables and the distance from glacial refugia on beta-diversity metrics were mediated by species richness and rarity. Phylogenetic turnover was low in relation to taxonomic turnover (i.e., high PBD) in areas closer to glacial refugia. Conclusions: Continental-scale patterns of beta-diversity in European beech forests are the result of complementary ecological and evolutionary processes. In general, beech forests are taxonomically and phylogenetically more distinct in climatically marginal areas of their European range. However, the spatial variation of beta-diversity in European beech forest flora is still strongly characterized by the distribution of groups of closely related species that evolved or survived in glacial refugia.The study was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (project no.19-28491X). I.B. and J.A.C. were funded by the Basque Government (IT936-16)

Interplay of socio-economic and environmental factors in shaping urban plant biodiversity: a comprehensive analysis

Urban environments are dynamic landscapes shaped by a multitude of factors, including environmental conditions and socio-economic influences. This study systematically investigates how various factors shape urban plant diversity in Haikou City, Hainan Province, China, focusing on 30 key drivers including socio-economic aspects, biophysical conditions, landscape elements, and management practices. Our research methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of these factors’ impact on six types of urban plant species: spontaneous, native spontaneous, exotic spontaneous, cultivated, native cultivated, and exotic cultivated. Conducted in urban areas with varying population densities and landscape features, our sampling approach aimed to understand the species’ distribution patterns. We discovered significant correlations between plant species diversity and specific environmental and socio-economic variables. Our results indicate that spontaneous species are prevalent in densely populated areas with strong social ties, whereas areas rich in tree and shrub cover see fewer such species. Native cultivated species favor more serene, less urbanized landscapes, while exotic cultivated species are predominantly found in economically affluent areas with diverse vegetation. These findings offer valuable insights for urban planning and biodiversity conservation, emphasizing the need for customized greening strategies that align with local environmental and social contexts. By adopting such tailored approaches, urban planners can more effectively manage landscapes, enrich green spaces, and foster biodiverse, sustainable ecosystems. This research not only enhances our understanding of urban plant biodiversity but also lays the groundwork for future studies and policy-making, promoting harmonious integration of diverse plant life within urban settings