Abstrakt

Extreme temperatures in cities have become even more dramatic, making urban heat island (UHI) mitigation strategies difficult to implement. To understand the contribution of urban green spaces (UGS) to improving the thermal environment under realistic stressor interactions, six stressors – road density (RD), building density (BD), building height (BH), percentage of impervious surface (P_IS), percentage of green space (P_GS) and sky view factor (SVF) – were selected in this study to identify their impact on the cooling intensity of UGS (DLST) in summer using a generalized additive model (GAM) method. The results demonstrated that: (1) individual stressors RD, BD, BH, P_IS, and P_GS had a significant impact on DLST and showed threshold effect on DLST at grid scale; (2) stressor interactions BD × SVF, BD × P_IS, BD × BH and SVF × P_IS had significant impacts on DLST; and (3) stressor interactions contributed 54.07 % to DLST in GAM model, the individual stressors contributed 39.81 % to DLST, while in between BD × BH showed the dominant interactive impact on the cooling effect of UGS. These findings will assist with regulating urban stressors to enhance the cooling effects of UGS, thereby improving the urban thermal environment.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2025.106426

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Maintaining the ecological integrity and functionality of ecosystems is one of the major challenges faced in the sustainable management of natural capital. Urban areas play a key role in this setting, providing multiple ecosystem services for a rapidly growing urban population worldwide while under constant pressure from several interacting natural and anthropogenic stressors. This paper targets the critical knowledge gap concerning how different stressor indicators – traffic (TD), building density (BD), building height (BH), percentage of impervious surface (PLAND_I) and land surface temperature (LST) – and their interactions affect the removal of particulate matter (PM_2.5) by urban blue-green infrastructure at multiple spatial scales. With spatial ranges varying with the area of blue-green infrastructure, the results showed that within the small-scale spatial range (90–450 m) the stressors LST, TD, PLAND_I and their interactions had a significant impact on PM_2.5; in the mesoscale spatial range (240–600 m), the stressors LST, TD, BH, PLAND_I, BD and their interactions had a strong impact on PM_2.5; while in the large-scale spatial range (390–1200 m), stressors of TD, PLAND_I, LST, BH and their interactions had a significant impact on PM_2.5. Additionally, several spatial structures of PM_2.5-stressor interactions were found, especially with larger lakes (exceeding 67.6 ha), which were dominated by negative correlations, which is singularity attributed to their greater capacity for PM_2.5 accumulation and microclimatic regulation and may mitigate the influence of stress factors. Importantly, this study confirmed that interactive stressors contributed more to the GAM model. Thus, overlooking interactive stressors may lead to an overestimation of PM removal by urban blue-green infrastructure. Regarding the spatial interactions of stressors-PM at multiple scales, spatial range conditions can change the properties of the blue-green infrastructure that determine the effective PM accumulation and identify the crucial stressor indices. A framework was developed to address the stressors’ mode of action and the extent to which the combined stressors affect PM mitigation. It allows the scientific community and relevant stakeholders to evaluate which stressors and their interactions in relation to PM removal share a common spatial pattern, and to assess independently the spatial covariation between stressors and PM removal at different spatial scales. It also demonstrates the possibility of using these stressor indicators as potential predictors of the impacts of land-use intensity on PM mitigation.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113489

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Hydrological conditions of habitats remain one of the key factors determining the occurrence, abundance, condition, successful foraging, and breeding success of a range of wetland bird species. Appropriate saturation of the topsoil, flooding recurrence, and groundwater levels assuring stability of peatland and riparian ecosystems remain critical indicators for habitat suitability and behavioral requirements for wetland biota. Hence, comprehensive and geographically distributed studies on relations between the occurrence of selected wetland bird species and defined hydrological indicators may allow for the formulation of specific target values that remain a key factor to successful habitat management. Based on the extensive automatic water levels monitoring, our research conducted a comprehensive hydrological evaluation on 16 breeding grounds of the Great Snipe Gallinago media located in the westernmost range of lowland populations in east Poland. Our field-research-oriented study over 3 years (2020–2022), was an attempt to find correlations between selected hydrological indicators and Great Snipe males number on the leks. We found that the multi-annual lowest groundwater level during breeding season best explained the abundance of Great Snipes males on the lek and was positively correlated with the number of males present on the lek. We did not find any correlations between changing saturations in habitats and changes in the abundance of males present on the lek over one particular lekking season. Our findings indicate, that management of the Great Snipe habitats, at least in its western-most range of lowland population, should be oriented at assuring high groundwater levels just before and during the lekking season (late April-mid-May), consistently throughout the years. We found that average groundwater levels could have described appropriate hydrological habitat conditions for examined Great Snipe habitats during the lekking season ranging from 0.04 m above the ground level (agl) to −0.43 m agl. We also revealed that the target depths to groundwater table in fens, drained peatlands and floodplains should be kept at the level of at least −0.2 m agl to sustain appropriate hydrological conditions to maintain large and stable leks. Provided results have the potential to become a goal in the Great Snipe habitat management, where drainage and agricultural abuse of habitats have been reported as a main threat to this species’ resilience in the edges of its range in Europe.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2025.126947

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Festivals are significant markers of cultural heritage and community traditions. Nevertheless, every year, significant increases in pollution levels are recorded during celebratory events, due to the overuse of firecrackers. This study evaluated gaseous and particulate matter (PM) concentrations using a gas and particulate sampler, alongside noise levels measured by a sound level meter, during the pre-to-post-Diwali period of 2023 and 2024 in Malda, India, and PM concentrations in Warsaw, Poland in 2024, using a DustAir dust meter. The results indicated that during Diwali, the concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁ exceeded the standard set by the World Health Organization, while gaseous pollutants remained within acceptable limits. Since no standards set for PM₁ exist, PM_2.5 criteria were utilized as a benchmark. Additionally, on New Year’s Eve in Warsaw, concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁ surpassed the standard around midnight, while gaseous pollutants remained within the standard range. An elemental analysis revealed 13 elements in Diwali PM samples, with toxic metals like arsenic and cadmium more prevalent in PM₁. The risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects through ingestion was higher for children compared to adults. The findings of this study could potentially raise awareness among researchers and policymakers, prompting them to develop sustainable substitutes for firecrackers and sparklers.

https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040442

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Microplastics (MPs) pollution has recently garnered substantial attention worldwide due to their tendency to contaminate ecosystems and transmit toxic substances in the food chain, compromising human health. The primary goal of this study is to provide a level of understanding about the source, occurrence, detection, and potential ecological risk of MPs in Eastern Indian dumping sites in the years 2022 and 2023 as well as representing a scenario encompassing urban, suburban, and rural areas. The MPs concentrations in dumping sites ranged between 10 and 3457 MPs mg/kg. Fragments were the predominant shape in samples from both years, 32% and 36% in 2022 and 2023, respectively. White was the leading color of MPs in both years (34% in 2022, 45% in 2023), followed by grey, blue, green, and others. Based on the chemical analysis, the most common polymers discovered were polyethylene (20%), nylon (15.5%), polyethylene terephthalate (11.62%), and polypropylene (10.28%). Most of the study area has high polymer hazard index (PHI) values (>1000) due to the presence of high-hazard polymers like PVC and PU. According to polymer load index (PLI) values, the samples from English Bazar and river–side dumps are highly contaminated with MPs (PLI: 26 to 49), whereas samples from Manikchak and Old Malda are less contaminated (PLI: 1 for both). The ecological risk index (ERI) values of river–side samples were the highest (ERI: 318950).

https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgaf086

Abstract

Wetland restoration aims to restore key environmental functions to degraded ecosystems, but it comes with costs, which can hinder public acceptance of restoration. However, the benefits we gain from restoration can be valued higher than the costs of restoration, making restoration an investment. This study aimed to analyse the costs of wetland restoration projects implemented in selected European countries. We analysed 100 projects implemented between 1996 and 2019. Results showed increasing numbers of wetland restoration projects implemented in Europe since the early 21st century. The total budgets for wetland restoration projects rose in the years reviewed, increasing the average project budgets. The average cost of restoring 1 hectare of wetland in the 100 projects analysed was 9,084 EUR∙ha−1, which, including the amortisation rate of actions implemented to restore wetlands, allowed us to estimate the average unit cost of wetland restoration to 227 EUR∙ha−1∙y−1. Available information on the average values of ecosystem services provided by wetlands (estimated to be 4,011 EUR∙ha−1∙y−1) allowed us to conclude that the value of sustainably managed wetlands is from ten to fifty times higher than the average wetland restoration costs. Our findings indicate that wetland restoration should be considered an investment, as the revenue the society gains from reestablished wetlands outweighs the costs of their restoration. These findings contribute to the international discussion on wetland restoration’s role in boosting environmental and economic resilience, underscoring the need for regular restoration efforts to benefit ecosystems, economies, and societies. 

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Particulate matter (PM) is a critical component of urban air pollution, with severe implications for human health and environmental ecosystems. This study investigates the capacity of green roofs at the Warsaw University Library to mitigate air pollution by analyzing the retention of PM and associated trace elements (TEs) across eight perennial plant species during spring, summer, and autumn. The results highlight significant interspecies variability and seasonal trends in PM retention, with peak levels observed in summer due to increased foliage density and ambient pollution. Sedum spectabile and Spiraea japonica emerged as the most effective species for PM capture, owing to their wax-rich surfaces and dense foliage, while Betula pendula demonstrated a high retention of TEs like manganese and zinc. Seasonal shifts from surface-bound PM (_SPM) to wax-bound PM (_WPM) in autumn underline the importance of adaptive plant traits for sustained pollutant capture. These findings underscore the critical role of green roofs in urban air quality management, emphasizing the need for species-specific strategies to maximize year-round phytoremediation efficacy. Expanding the implementation of diverse vegetation on green roofs can significantly enhance their environmental and public health benefits.

https://doi.org/10.3390/air3010004

 Abstrakt

Air pollution is highest in winter. The high concentration of particulate matter (PM) and trace elements (TE) after the growing season is influenced by increased pollutant emissions, unfavorable meteorological conditions, and the low efficiency of air phytofiltration. Plants that can remove pollutants from the air during the growing season are leafless in autumn/winter, and therefore unable to capture PM/TE effectively. This study investigated the ability of nine species of leafy evergreen plants to accumulate PM (surface and in-wax PM; PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and TE in autumn and winter. Plant material was harvested in November and December from the park in Wuhan, China. The amount of accumulated pollutants depended on the species. The shrubs (Loropetalum chinense, Pittosporum tobira, Rhododendron simsii) and grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), were more effective at phytofiltration of PM and TE per leaf area unit than the trees. However, to better understand the potential of plants to accumulate PM in relation to a unit of land area, the leaf area index (LAI) has to be considered. Ligustrum lucidum and P. tobira characterized by low LAI, despite having PM deposition comparable to other trees and shrubs, exhibited a markedly reduced efficacy of pollutants accumulation in relation to square metre of land they occupy. In contrast to the TE concentration in winter, PM deposition on plants did not always increase after the autumn, probably due to the park’s low density of vegetation, PM resuspension by wind, and a decrease in the plants’ physiological activity. Seasonal variations in pollutants accumulation among species were recorded during the autumn/winter. This study reinforces the need for biodiversity and higher-density urban greening to optimize post-growth air phytofiltration. A holistic, year-round air pollution mitigation strategy should be provided by incorporating more diverse evergreen plant species with complementary phytofiltering properties.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124027

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This study aims to assess the spatial distribution of various types of urban greenery on the example of Poznań city (Poland), considering their potential to supply ecosystem services (ESs) and the demand for these services. Three ESs were assessed: noise attenuation, pollutant filtration, and temperature lowering. By determining both individual services and a bundle of them and considering biophysical and social demand, this study facilitates the integration of ESs in landscape planning and management. This study calculates a budget—the ratio of the supply potential and demand—to identify areas with the greatest need for ESs and gives clear advice to decision-makers. As expected, the results show that the analysis of individual ES generates different results, which suggests that they should be analysed in bundles. Although significant overlap was found between the potential to supply different services, the biophysical and social demands were much more diverse. The final budget showed a correlation between the need to create urban greenery and population and location relative to the city centre. The highest relationship was observed for noise attenuation, while the smallest was in the case of pollutant filtration. Although many studies show the effectiveness of urban greenery in increasing the level of ES and avoiding environmental problems in cities, only a few studies show how to select locations for activities, considering the present state as well as human and ecological needs. The clue of the presented approach is the mapping of structure–process relationships, which may easily translate into planning practice.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2025.101713

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