Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception ...of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space.
Green spaces are important parts of urban infrastructure. COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown periods around the world have confirmed benefits that people derive from using green spaces for their physical ...and mental health. Green spaces need to meet the needs of users so that people can use them and benefit over time. It is important to consider users' perceptions and attitudes. User input proves beneficial in improving management practices. We investigated the differences in attitudes and perceptions of respondents from different large settlements in Croatia towards green spaces. Data on the use and perception of green spaces were collected in the first lockdown period in Europe and processed the part of the questionnaire on attitudes and perceptions towards green spaces. People have similar, mostly positive perceptions of green spaces regardless of the size of the settlement. Differences were found in the perception of disadvantages and needs related to the management of green spaces. This is the first study of the attitudes and perceptions on a large spatial scale in Croatia, so the results are exploratory and important. This study contributes to research on the social aspects of green spaces by investigating the influence of environmental context on perceptions and attitudes.
Forest Park Grmoščica is an important part of urban green infrastructure for the citizens of the western part of the city of Zagreb. To enhance the quality of management of the forest park to the ...satisfaction of its daily users, it is important to know their socio-demographic characteristics, visiting behaviour, recreational activities, as well as their perception of the forest park. The survey for users of the Forest Park Grmoščica was developed within the INTERREG DANUBE’s URBforDAN project. It was filled out by visitors of the forest park using on-site face-to-face method and was also available online. The results of the survey provided information about the users of the Forest Park Grmoščica, their socio-demographic data, visiting habits and perception. Also, the typology of users was given depending on the activities they undertake in the forest park (cyclists, joggers, visitors who spend time in Forest Park Grmoščica with their families, and pet walkers) and their main characteristics. The obtained data can improve the management of the Forest Park Grmoščica in such a way that it fulfils its social and ecological function and is adapted to the needs of its users.
Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a phenomenon specific to urban areas where higher air temperatures manifest in the city area in relation to its surrounding rural landscape. Currently, UHI is one of the ...most dangerous environmental conditions for cities as well as their residents. It is expected that the intensity of UHI will increase with climate change. This work presents an analysis of the UHI phenomenon for the City of Zagreb, Croatia in the summertime period 2013–2022. In order to explore UHI, Land Surface Temperature (LST) was calculated using Landsat 8 (OLI TIRS sensor) satellite imagery. After the delineation of UHI, calculated temperatures were put in relation to NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) and NDBI (Normalised Difference Built-Up Index) indices for the study area. Results show the similarity of mean temperatures over the observed period. However, the influence of external variables on UHI’s spatial expression was observed. Forest-covered areas and other green parts of the city’s infrastructure express the lowest temperatures, while built-up sites are the hottest points in cities. Results confirm the importance of urban green infrastructure for resilient cities and present the results of a long-term UHI observation in a Southeast European city.
Urban forests as nature-based solutions (UF-NBS) are important tools for climate change adaptation and sustainable development. However, achieving both effective and sustainable UF-NBS solutions ...requires diverse knowledge. This includes knowledge on UF-NBS implementation, on the assessment of their environmental impacts in diverse spatial contexts, and on their management for the long-term safeguarding of delivered benefits. A successful integration of such bodies of knowledge demands a systematic understanding of UF-NBS. To achieve such an understanding, this paper presents a conceptual UF-NBS model obtained through a semantic, trait-based modelling approach. This conceptual model is subsequently implemented as an extendible, re-usable and interoperable ontology. In so doing, a formal, trait-based vocabulary on UF-NBS is created, that allows expressing spatial, morphological, physical, functional, and institutional UF-NBS properties for their typification and a subsequent integration of further knowledge and data. Thereby, ways forward are opened for a more systematic UF-NBS impact assessment, management, and decision-making.
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•A typology on urban forests as nature-based solutions is developed.•Trait-based modelling to discern characteristics of urban forest types.•Semantic modelling provides a highly systematic typology of urban forest.•The typology is formalized as a machine-interpretable ontology.•Formal knowledge enables re-use and the integration of knowledge and data.
Urban green infrastructure provides city dwellers numerous benefits. Among them, cultural ecosystem services (CES) are distinguished by being easily perceived and essential for people and their ...well-being. However, not all CES are equally easy to perceive, resulting with some of the CES categories being weakly explored. Research on CES also rarely considers elements of urban green infrastructure other than parks and forests. Therefore, there is a lack of research on different components of urban green infrastructure, especially tree-based, perceived in relation to CES. This paper presents the results of focus group participatory mapping implemented with citizens in the city districts of Zagreb on the perception of five selected CES categories in various types of urban green infrastructure. Our results show that participants perceived 13 different types of tree-based urban green infrastructure as providers of CES. We also distinguish patterns in the perception of CES categories and their connection with types of tree-based urban green infrastructure. Tree lines are perceived as providers of aesthetical experiences. Furthermore, forests and park forests are perceived in relation to place attachment and recreational activities, while parks are versatile and provide all explored CES. Other types that emerged as important were greenways, greenery around residential buildings and educational institutions, which provokes rethinking of a careful planning of the entire repertoire of urban green infrastructure.
•Perception of CES of tree-based UGI was quantified and explored.•13 types of tree-based UGI in relation to CES were perceived in the city of Zagreb.•Patterns in CES perception from tree-based UGI can be clearly distinguished.•Focus group participatory mapping is an effective tool for CES research.
Područje Brijunskog arhipelaga, zahvaljujući geomorfološko-hidrološkim, klimatskim, prirodnim i antropogenim utjecajima, tvori jedno od malobrojnih očuvanih jadranskih prirodnih, kulturnih i ...krajobraznih vrijednosti. Na području Velog Brijuna na relativno maloj površini izmjenjuju se elementi više šumskih stanišnih tipova. Antropogeni čimbenik je utjecao na nestanak dijelova šuma sječom i gradnjom infrastrukture. Drugi čimbenik je prekobrojno stanje divljači na otoku. Iz tih razloga formirane su dvije trajne pokusne plohe za praćenje ekosustava na Velikom Brijunu: jedna u ograđenom prostoru rezidencijalnog parka Bijele vile (br. 57) i druga u slobodnom prostoru u predjelu Mrtvi vrh (br. 56).
Istraživanje na kojemu se temelji ovaj rad provedeno je u svibnju 2017. godine na obje trajne pokusne plohe, u sklopu čega su analizirana vegetacijsko-ekološka i strukturna obilježja tih sastojina. Dobiveni rezultati uspoređeni su s posljednjom cjelovitom izmjerom istih ploha iz 1988. godine. Na temelju obrađenih podataka utvrđene su velike razlike između mjerenih površina. Floristička slika dalje produbljuje razlike između ova dva lokaliteta. Na trajnoj pokusnoj plohi 56 gotovo uopće nema sloja grmlja, dok su na pokusnoj plohi 57 isti izrazito razvijeni. Nadalje, osim flornog osiromašenja na TPP 56 treba napomenuti i nemogućnost prirodnog pomlađivanja sastojine, dok je na TPP 57 evidentiran gust ponik i pomladak. S obzirom na mjerene elemente strukture sastojine 1988. i 2017. godine, sastojina na TPP 57 prirodno se razvija i raste dok je sastojina na TPP 56 zbog velikog utjecaja divljači u fazi regresije i degradacije.
Ponajprije je potrebno na dijelu otoka smanjiti broj alohtone divljači i svesti njezin broj na održivost staništa. Površinu TPP 57 i okolno područje zaštititi kao posebni rezervat šumske vegetacije i provoditi mjere u okviru te kategorije zaštite.
The area of the Brijuni archipelago, due to geomorphological-hydrological, climatic, natural and anthropogenic influences, makes up one of a few preserved natural, cultural and landscape values in the Adriatic. In the area of Veli Brijun, there are alternating elements of several forest stand types on a relatively small surface. The anthropogenic factor influenced the disappearance of parts of forests through logging and infrastructure construction. The second factor is excessive numbers of wildlife on the island. Consequently, two test surfaces were formed intended for ecosystem monitoring on the island of Veliki Brijun: one in the fenced area of the residential park of the White Villa (No. 57) and the other in the free space in the area referred to as the Dead Peak (No. 56). The research behind this paper was conducted in May 2017 on both permanent experimental plot within which vegetative-ecological and structural features of these stands were analysed. The obtained results were compared with the most recent previous measurement of the same surfaces conducted in 1988. Based on the processed data, huge differences were identified between the measured surfaces. The floristic aspect further accentuates the differences between the two localities. In the permanent experimental plot No. 56, there is hardly any shrub layer, while in the permanent experimental plot No. 57 the latter is extremely developed. Moreover, in addition to floral scarcity on the permanent experimental plot No. 56 it is important to highlight the impossibility of natural stand regeneration, while on the permanent experimental plot No. 57 dense sprouts and young growth were recorded. Considering the measured elements of stand structure in 1988 and in 2017, the stand in the permanent experimental plot No. 57 develops and grows naturally, while the stand in the permanent experimental plot No. 56 is undergoing a phase of regression and degradation due to a large influence of wildlife. First of all, the numbers of allochthonous wildlife in the specific part of the island need to be reduced to numbers that enable stand sustainability. The permanent test surface No. 57 and the surrounding area need to be preserved as a special forest vegetation reserve and measures need to be implemented within this protection category.
Empirijsko analitički pristup znanosti šumarske politike primijenjen je na primjeru specijalnog rezervata prirode „Koviljsko-Petrovaradinski Rit“ (Srbija) s ciljem sveobuhvatne analize korisnika, ...njihovih interesa i potencijalnih sukoba interesa. Istraživanje je provedeno od kolovoza 2017. do kolovoza 2018. godine. Procjena intenziteta interesa identificiranih korisnika temelji se na kvalitativnoj analizi sadržaja i kritičkoj analizi te kombinaciji tehnika triangulacije, logičkog zaključivanja, indukcije i dedukcije. Unosom procijenjenog intenziteta interesa korisnika (vlasnici šuma – država i privatni šumovlasnici; zaposleni u šumarstvu; poduzeća/institucije – drvna industrija, pokrajinski sekretarijat, itd.; građani) u analitičku shemu jasno se mogla izdvojiti zona sukoba između korisnika s vrlo jakim interesom za korištenje drvne mase (Vojvodinašume, crkva, prerada drva) i korisnika koji pripadaju interesnom polju očuvanja/zaštite prirode (institucije zaštite prirode, građani). Uz navedeno, država tj. Vojvodinašume su u unutarnjem sukobu, jer (također) imaju vrlo snažan interes za proizvodnju drva s jedne strane i za zaštitu prirode s druge strane. Kako bi uravnotežila interese, država/pokrajina je u prednosti jer rješenje može potražiti interno, ali analitička shema pokazuje i da će rezultat neizbježno dovesti do sukoba s drugim korisnicima (drvnom industrijom ako se poveća opseg zaštite ili zaštitom prirode ako se pojača sječa drva). Koncept zaštitnih zona pokazuje trenutni kompromisni paket između zainteresiranih strana (stroga zaštita 6%, aktivna zaštita 29% i korištenje drva 65%), koji će opstati dok ga država bude mogla podržati političkim mjerama. Empirijsko analitički pristup omogućio je sveobuhvatni uvid u korisnike i interese vezane za Rit, a metodološka postavka je uz zaključake relevantne za daljnja znanstvena istraživanja stvorila osnovu za aktivniju komunikaciju rezultata s praksom.
This study, based on modified Schusser´s sequential method, was conducted from August 2017 to August 2018 with the aim of using accessible and familiar case example from Serbia to verify the claim of forest policy science - that users, their interests and potential conflicts of interest can be comprehensively identified and analysed while applying empirically analytical approach. On the example of special nature reserve Koviljsko-Petrovaradinski Rit the intensity of user´s interest is assessed based on qualitative content analysis and critical reasoning in combination with the techniques of triangulation, induction and deduction. By entering the estimated intensity of user interests into the analytical sheme (users categorized as forest owners- state/province and private, forestry employees, enterprises/institutions and citizens), the first conflicting zone was identified between the very strong interests in forest utilization (priority of profitable timber harvesting) and the interest field comprising the very strong and strong user interests for nature conservation. In addition, the state/province (public enterprise Vojvodinašume) is in an internal conflict, having (also) a very strong interest in wood production (creating revenues) on the one hand and in nature conservation on another. In order to balance them (towards the general social interest), the state/province has an advantage of being in the position to look internally for a solution, but the analytical scheme also shows how potential changes could trigger conflicts with other users (wood industry if protection is increased or nature protection actors if logging intensifies). The current solution of protection zones, divided into strict protection 6%, active protection 29% and profitable use of wood 65%, reflects the actual compromise package between the state/province andinterests of remaining users, which will last as long as the state/province is in the position to support it with available political means.
Whereas individual discourses take into account only partial aspects, the current approach has provided a comprehensive insight into Rit´s actors and interests. Methodological set-up of existing theoretically-based analytical categories has offered conclusions relevant for further research, forming at the same time a strong basis for more active communication of results with practice: users can more clearly perceive each other’s positions and evaluate own abilities to act, while searching for the implementation concepts that work in practice.
U radu je na temelju podataka dobivenih laserskim skeniranjem iz zraka prikazana obrada 3D oblaka točaka te različiti načini i mogućnosti uporabe podataka pri praćenju i izmjeri vegetacije urbanih ...područja. U istraživanju su korišteni lidarski (engl. LiDAR = Light Detection and Ranging) podaci dobiveni u Zagrebu, točnije na Lenucijevoj potkovi, na Trgu Nikole Šubića Zrinskoga. Na istraživanom području za svako je locirano stablo određena vrsta i mjerena njegova visina (m) ultrazvučnim visinomjerom Vertex III. Terenskom izmjerom obuhvaćeno je 146 stabala (od toga 140 hibridnih platana (Platanus × hispanica) i 6 stabala javora mliječa (Acer platanoides L.). Prosječna izmjerena visina uređajem Vertex III iznosila je 24,0 m s rasponom od 5,60 m za najniže stablo do 36,0 m za najviše izmjereno stablo. Srednji prsni promjer iznosio je 74 cm s rasponom od 8 cm do 160 cm. Laserskim skeniranjem iz zraka i obradom prikupljenih podataka dobiven je georeferencirani 3D oblak točaka razvrstan u četiri razreda kao proizvod obrade sirovih podataka u softveru LAStools te prikazan u softveru QTM za vizualizaciju oblaka točaka. Prilikom očitavanja visine iz oblaka točaka izdvojena su 134 stabla. Srednja izmjerena visina stabala temeljem oblaka točaka iznosi 23,07 m, najniže izmjereno stablo visine je 5,31 m, a najviše 33,34 m. Statističkom obradom i usporedbom podataka dobiveni su koeficijent korelacije rs = 0,91 i koeficijent determinacije R2 = 0,83, dok je p = 0,000 (p < 0,05), što upućuje na statističku značajnost dobivene korelacije, a što potvrđuje validnost te upotrebljivost lidarskih podataka pri izmjeri i praćenju urbane vegetacije.
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