Cities – Page 3 – envirobites

Friday, April 26, 2024

Cat-agorizing Cat Owners to Reduce Environmental Harm caused by Domestic House Cats

January 6, 2021February 16, 2023 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments Cats, humans and wildlife, invasive species, Sociology, wildlife conservation

According to conservationists, domestic cats belong indoors for their safety and the safety of other animals. But, some cat owners disagree, causing rifts between pro-outdoor and pro-indoor cat parents. In a new study, researchers interviewed cat owners across the United Kingdom and cat-agorized cat owners into six distinct groups. Depending on the cat owner’s views , conservationists may have a larger impact if they target their message towards the emotional connection owners have with their feline friends.

Cities Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science

Blue and green make grey work better: how blue and green infrastructure can improve equity of ecosystem services in urban areas

December 21, 2020February 15, 2023 Jessica Wright 0 Comments Blue infrastructure, development, equity, green infrastructure, urban ecology

Andersson, E. J. Langemeyer, S. Borgström, T. McPhearson, D. Haase, J. Kronenberg, D.N. Barton, M. Davis, S. Naumann, L. Röschel,

Cities Environmental Science Remediation

All Parks are not created equal… in terms of air quality benefits

November 17, 2020November 16, 2020 Mary Davis 0 Comments carbon, green space, parks, Trees

The ability of trees to remove carbon dioxide from the air and capture carbon makes reforestation a way to combat

Cities Climate Environmental Science

Industrial Revolution Pollution Suppresses Succession in Lichen Communities

November 5, 2020September 12, 2022 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments history, lichen, Pollution, urban ecology

Lichens are indicators of air pollution and ecosystem health. In London parks, researchers found that historical pollution may have decreased the lichen diversity. Sulfur emissions from the Industrial Revolution and modern nitrogen emissions stall the growth of lichens on urban trees hinting at larger effects on ecosystem health.

Animal behavior Cities Environmental Science

Does wearing a face mask make humans less scary to tree sparrows?

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments animal behavior, behavioral ecology, FID, urban ecology

Environmental conditions can change quite quickly. In this case, due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 we’ve all been wearing masks when we venture outside. How might this sudden change in our appearance affect animals that frequently live amongst us? Find out how Eurasian tree sparrows responded to wearing masks in two provinces of Sichuan, China.

Cities Ecosystems Environmental Science Remediation

From Food Waste to Roadways: Using Compost to Improve Soil Conditions and Tree Success Along Highways

October 5, 2020December 28, 2020 Jenna Zukswert 0 Comments cities, Compost, food waste, Soil, tree planting

Planting trees along highway roadsides is a good way to increase tree coverage in cities, but getting trees to grow here and maintaining these plantings over time can be difficult. Reducing soil compaction and adding organic material, such as compost, can improve roadside soils and support tree growth in these areas. A 5-year study in Ontario recently found that loosening up the soil and mixing in 10-25% food waste compost relative to soil can help improve tree growth along roadsides, possibly reducing the need to follow up and maintain these trees over time.

Animal behavior Cities Ecosystems

Life in the City – Humans alter city habitats for plants and animals

October 5, 2020October 5, 2020 Brandi Pessman 0 Comments adaptation, cities, disturbance, urbanization

Cites are ecosystems, just like a forest, desert, and prairie are ecosystems. As human populations grow and move to urban areas, cities expand into other ecosystems. Plants and animals must adjust to the rapid changes that result. Humans are the biggest threat to organisms, but why are cities challenging environments for plants and animals? Let’s learn more about one of the largest and growing ecosystems on land… cities!

Cities Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Identifying the Urban Populations in Africa at Risk for Malaria from a New Vector

September 17, 2020September 17, 2020 Munim Deen 0 Comments Africa, disease, invasive species, Malaria, Mosquitos, vectors

Malaria continues to ravage many parts of the world, particularly in rural sub-Saharan Africa. A recently detected outbreak of malaria in urban areas has now been traced to an invasive species of mosquito from Asia. This species, A. stephensi, thrives in urban settings and its presence in Africa considerably increases the populations that are now at risk of contracting malaria.

Cities Ecosystems Environmental Science

How to Study Invasive Species from Space

September 7, 2020September 7, 2020 Christina M. Marvin 0 Comments invasive species, satellite data

There are certain things on earth, like oceans and even the Great Wall of China, that can be seen in space by the human eye. Did you know that satellites can also take pictures of the Earth and can be potentially useful for real ecological restoration efforts? Researchers at the University of Cincinnati tested it out in their own backyard and found that they could identify a well spread invasive species. Early detection may be key to saving habitats from harmful, non-native organisms.

Cities Ecosystems

It’s Complicated: Plant-pollinator relationships differ from urban to rural areas

September 3, 2020September 3, 2020 Brandi Pessman 0 Comments cities, flowers, plants, pollinators

Flowers and the butterflies they attract are beautiful additions to any yard, but your garden is serving a greater purpose. Pollinators – including butterflies, moths, bees, and wasps – depend on plants for survival and are essential for plant reproduction. Plant-pollinator relationships are especially important for agriculture and our food supply. Cities pose many challenges for both plants and their pollinators which could strain their relationship. Find out how cities put pressure on plant-pollinator relationships and what you can do to help!