All those “weeds” add up to a lot of urban biodiversity
Study finds more than 300 plant species growing out of the sidewalks of a single city.
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Cities
We love our city street trees – how do local governments make decisions about what trees to plant?
Have you ever wondered how decisions about urban trees are made? We all enjoy having trees in our cities – read on to learn more about how trees are planted to be the most successful they can be!
Read MoreCollision course: bird strikes caused by building lights at night
Each year, billions of birds die from colliding with building windows. What characteristics of buildings make some more prone to collisions than others? A team of researchers set out to shed some light on the answer
Read MoreThe five-dimensional road map: how can we foster positive human-nature interactions?
As humans, we interact with nature whether we want to or not. But the interaction and its outcome can look very different, depending on our background, and on where in the world we are. A new paper sets out to map the human-nature relationship, with the hope that we can better understand and foster it.
Read MoreEnergy Transition in Paradise: Hawaiian case study on how to approach wide-scale renewable energy transitions
Imagine yourself lounging on a beautiful beach in Hawaii. Picture an ice cold drink in your hand, the warm breeze on your face, and the ocean tides churning in front of you. Relaxing and picture-perfect, right? One question you may not have asked yourself is where and how does Hawaii get its energy? In the age of sustainability and the growing importance of renewable energy sources, an investigation of Hawaii’s energy dilemma proves an exciting read.
Read MoreA Walk in the Park is Better with Birds
Green spaces in cities do wonders for our health, but what types of green spaces are best? A recent study found that people tend to experience greater happiness in parks with a high diversity of bird species. This helps inform city planners that when designing parks, trying to maximize bird life should be a high priority.
Read MoreSound the Alarm: Traffic noise increases predation threat to prairie dog colonies
Humans are noisy, especially in cities. Traffic noise may challenge the ability of prairie dogs to detect predators and warn other prairie dogs. Prairie dogs increase vigilance and flight response when our noise may mask the sounds of predators.
Read MoreFollow your nose: the importance of odor for stress relief in urban green spaces
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing increased stress and anxiety. Although social distancing is in practice, most recommendations say it’s still okay to take a walk outside (just keep your distance from others!). In fact, spending time in nature can help reduce stress. Researchers examined how sights, smells, and sounds affect stress recovery in urban natural areas.
Read MoreWitness trees tell how ecosystems of Silicon Valley have changed
A new study scientifically tackles an important aspect of the story of our urban landscape: how do ecosystems change from the time prior to first permanent settlement to today, after growing into a densely developed modern city?
Read MoreThe Role of the Built Environment in COVID-19 Transmission
We are in the midst of a true pandemic, with COVID-19 cases and deaths around the globe. Recent research, still in progress, sheds light in the various ways the built environment can contribute to COVID-19 transmission.
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