Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
458 results(13 / 19)
Urban gardens as a source of self-grown food in Czech towns and cities
2019Jan Vávra, Petr Daněk, Petr Jehlička, Miloslav Lapka · · Czech Republic
An analysis of large-scale representative survey results in Czech towns and cities investigated urban gardens as a source of self-grown food. The study found that while food production in urban areas is less frequent than in rural areas, the level of self-sufficiency in urban households is similar to that in rural households. This paper presents data on the scale of urban food production and its contributions to ecosystem services and resilience.
DIYClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityCreating the Urban Farmer’s Almanac with Citizen Science Data
2019Kathleen L. Prudic, J. Keaton Wilson, Michelle C. Toshack, Katharine L. Gerst, Alyssa Rosemartin, Theresa M. Crimmins, Jeffrey C. Oliver · Insects · Global
This study introduced web-based citizen science programs to assist urban growers in managing insect biodiversity on city farms, a complex task given the estimated 30% of the global urban population engaged in food production. The programs aim to connect growers with relevant data and experts for informed insect management decisions. It suggests that combining citizen science volunteers with urban farmers can clarify ecosystem services, reduce insecticide use, and promote non-chemical alternatives.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsAssessing Urban Ecosystem Services
2019Marise Barreiros Horta, Maria Inês Cabral, Iva Pires, Laura Bachi, Ana Luísa Luz, Geraldo Wilson Fernandes, Maria Auxiliadora Drumond, Sónia Maria Carvalho Ribeiro · IGI Global eBooks · Global
This chapter summarizes different participatory approaches for assessing ecosystem services (ES) in urban areas across three countries. In Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a conceptual framework for vacant lots ES assessment was presented. In Leipzig, Germany, a combination of site surveys, interviews, and remote sensing was utilized for a comparative study between two forms of urban gardening. In Lisbon, Portugal, the study provided social insight into horticultural parks based on interviews. Overall, these studies demonstrate the potential benefits of utilizing ES assessment approaches on urban landscapes, particularly for better understanding the interactions between people and nature in urban sites.
BiodiversityCommunityPolicyReconocimiento y caracterización de la Flora Arvense encontradas en Huertas urbanas asistidas por EL Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis
2019Uvianeth Castañeda Maldonado · · Colombia (Bogotá)
The recognition and characterization of arvense flora (weeds) found in urban gardens assisted by the Bogotá Botanical Garden in Bogotá, Colombia, were conducted. A catalog of arvense recognition for the Capital District was developed, representing 36 species of weeds belonging to 15 families of the Magnoliopsida class. This catalog includes photographic records, field observations, and information on pollinator presence, serving as an important consultation tool for the district's flora.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsDiversidad de especies arbóreas en escenarios de la agricultura urbana en el municipio de Pinar del Río
2019Lisandra Hernández Guanche, Yoerlandy Santana Baños, Armando Acosta Hernández, Armando del Busto Concepción · Revista Cubana de Ciencias Forestales: CFORES · Cuba
A study was conducted in the Vial Colon organoponics system in Pinar del Rio municipality, Cuba, to determine the diversity of arboreal species. Inventories were performed in each organoponics system to count individuals per species, followed by taxonomic identification and calculations of absolute frequency and abundance. The research identified 37 arboreal species belonging to 26 botanical families, with Fabaceae being the most represented and Persea americana Mill. and Moringa oleifera Lam. being the most abundant.
BiodiversityCommunityCollections of botanical gardens - a modern practice of conserving and studying the diversity of the plant world
2019К. Г. Ткаченко · HORTUS BOTANICUS · Global
Botanical institutions should create and maintain diverse plant collections, including local flora, ethnobotanical knowledge, and carpological collections, for research and education. These collections can inform urban gardening and floristics, but it is crucial to evaluate the invasive potential of introduced species to prevent their spread in the region's flora.
Food educationBiodiversityHeirloom & landraceO ensino de ecologia em uma horta escolar / Teaching ecology in a school garden
2019Andréia Quinto dos Santos, Ricardo Jucá‐Chagas, Regileno da Silva Santana, Evton Farias Quinto Santos, ALISSON SANTOS DA SILVA · Brazilian Journal of Development · Global
This research evaluated the limits and possibilities of learning ecological interactions in elementary school using a school garden, involving a supervising teacher, a classroom teacher, and 30 students. While students demonstrated understanding of ecological interactions through oral communication, the study identified significant limitations including difficulties in reading and writing, a lack of volunteers, and insufficient technical and administrative support from the school.
Governance failureFood educationBiodiversityCreativity within urban gardening at times of emergency
2019Nina Gren · Lund University Publications (Lund University) · Sweden
This presentation, based on ethnographic research from 2017-2018 in the Malmö-Lund area, Sweden, examines creativity in urban gardening projects as a response to ecological crisis. Urban gardeners, particularly project coordinators, expressed concerns about ecological emergency and sought to promote sustainable living. They developed creative events and workshops for children, including storytelling, planting, harvesting, and making 'bee hotels', to educate them on ecological issues and inspire aspirations for a different future.
CommunityFood educationClimate changeBiodiversityEnvironmental Impact of Exceptional Quality Biosolids Use in Urban Agriculture
2019Odiney Alvarez‐Campos, Gregory K. Evanylo · Journal of Environmental Quality · Global
The impacts of exceptional quality (EQ) biosolids and inorganic fertilizer applied for rehabilitating anthropogenic soils on potential nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) water quality impairment risk were compared. After two years, reclamation rates of biosolids resulted in soil P saturation ratios greater than the recommended 30% but lower than the 65% limit. While nitrate N (NO3–N) posed the greatest nutrient leaching risk, lysimeter-collected mass loading of NO3–N from reclamation rates was not greater than for the inorganic fertilizer.
Environmental trade-offsOrganic cycleHealthClimate changeBiodiversityLocal and Landscape Effects to Biological Controls in Urban Agriculture—A Review
2019Joshua Arnold, Monika Egerer, Kent M. Daane · Insects · Global
This review assessed urban conservation biological control (CBC) research and provided a synthesis for urban agriculture practitioners. Findings indicated that local and landscape factors differentially affect insect pests and beneficial arthropods across the reviewed studies. Several on-farm practices that can be implemented to increase biological control in urban agriculture were also identified.
BiodiversityCommunityDiversity of arboreal species in scenarios of urban agriculture in the municipality of Pinar del Río
2019Lisandra Hernández Guanche, Yoerlandy Santana Baños, Armando Acosta Hernández, Armando del Busto Concepción · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cuba (Pinar del Río)
This research determined the diversity of arboreal species associated with the "Vial Colón" organoponics system in Pinar del Río municipality, Cuba. Inventories identified 37 arboreal species from 26 botanical families. Fabaceae was the most represented family, with Persea americana Mill. and Moringa oleifera Lam. showing the highest abundance.
BiodiversityCommunityOrganic cycleSite attributes for PLOS ONE article
2019Sarah Taylor Lovell · · Global
This data describes the landscape attributes of nineteen sites as supplemental information for an article by Bennett, A.B., and Lovell, S.T., accepted for publication in PLOS ONE, which discusses how landscape and local site variables differentially influence pollinators and pollination services in urban agricultural sites.
BiodiversityPollinatorsGuerrilla gardening and green activism: Rethinking the informal urban growing movement
2018Hardman M., Chipungu L., Magidimisha H., Larkham P.J., Scott A.J., Armitage R.P. · Landscape and Urban Planning, 170:6-14 · Global
Reviews informal urban-growing (guerrilla gardening) practices across Europe, North America and Africa, showing how in Salford, UK, local authorities have begun tolerating and even encouraging informal growing. It rethinks how a movement of residents greening and growing food on gap spaces and vacant land without permission can be integrated into urban planning and green-space policy.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityBuzzing on top: Linking wild bee diversity, abundance and traits with green roof qualities
2018Kratschmer S., Kriechbaum M., Pachinger B. · Urban Ecosystems, 21:429–446 · Austria (Vienna)
Monthly surveys on nine Vienna green roofs in 2014 recorded 992 wild bees of 90 species. Forage availability and fine substrates strongly boosted diversity and abundance; ground-nesting social bees and Sedum bloom-period foraging shaped a distinct rooftop bee community.
PollinatorsBiodiversityMapping the Agrodiversity in Bogotá – the Platform Mapeo AgroEcoBogotá
2018Pinilla K., Hoinle B., Mahecha-Groot A., Cepeda J. · International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics · Colombia (Bogotá)
This paper presents AgroEcoBogotá, an open counter-mapping platform that cartographically documented 47 urban agroecological initiatives in Bogotá to promote visibility of the local agroecology movement and foster solidarity networks between urban and peri-urban food producers.
CommunityBiodiversityFood educationIs urban agriculture urban green space? A comparison of policy arrangements for urban green space and urban agriculture in Santiago de Chile
2018Contesse M., van Vliet B.J.M., Lenhart J. · Land Use Policy · Chile (Santiago)
This study used the policy arrangement approach to compare urban green space planning and urban agriculture policies in Santiago, finding that urban agriculture can complement (but not replace) parks as green space, provided that policy mechanisms clarify stakeholder roles and benefits.
PolicyCommunityBiodiversityRole of Urban Agriculture in a Secure, Healthy, and Sustainable Food System
2018· BioScience · Global
Comprehensive analysis of urban agriculture's role in achieving secure, healthy, and sustainable food systems. Examines how citizen-driven agriculture can transform food systems.
Food educationWelfareBiodiversityCommunityThe Role of Urban Agriculture as a Nature-Based Solution: A Review for Developing a Systemic Assessment Framework
2018Martina Artmann, Katharina Sartison · Sustainability · Global
A systemic literature review of 166 academic articles focusing on the Global North examined urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) as a nature-based solution. The review found that UPA contributes to ten key societal challenges of urbanization, including climate change, food security, and public health, by providing social, economic, and environmental co-benefits. The study developed an integrative assessment framework for evaluating UPA implementation and impact efficiency, which should be tested using edible cities as an example.
CommunityBiodiversityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceSalutogenic Affordances and Sustainability: Multiple Benefits With Edible Forest Gardens in Urban Green Spaces
2018Jonathan Stoltz, Christina Schäffer · Frontiers in Psychology · Global
This paper explores the salutogenic potential of urban green spaces, proposing edible forest gardens as a concept for urban green space use and management. It argues that including edible forest gardens in urban green spaces (today globally dominated by lawns) could reinforce several affordances of salutogenic importance, such as social cohesion and restoration from psycho-physiological stress and attention fatigue. Increased opportunities for contact with nature and food production processes may also reinforce pro-environmental behaviors in the population.
BiodiversityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageImpact of Urban Agriculture on the Species Distribution and Insecticide Resistance Profile of <i>Anopheles gambiae s.s.</i> and <i>Anopheles coluzzii</i> in Accra Metropolis, Ghana
2018Joseph Chabi, Miracle C. Eziefule, Rebecca Pwalia, Joannitta Joannides, Dorothy Obuobi, Godwin Amlalo, Charlotte Addae, Alidu Iddrisu, Dominic Acquah-Baidoo, Samuel Akporh, Sampson Gbagba, Kwadwo K. Frempong, Melinda P. Hadi, Helen Pates Jamet, Samuel Dadzie · Advances in Entomology · Ghana
This study in Accra Metropolis, Ghana, compared Anopheles gambiae s.l. species composition and insecticide resistance between two vegetable-growing and two non-vegetable growing areas. All A. gambiae s.l. populations tested were resistant to five insecticides, with lower mortalities observed in vegetable-growing areas (e.g., 2.6% and 12.5% for deltamethrin) compared to non-vegetable areas (36.2% and 38.9%). Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii were dominant in vegetable-growing areas. The findings indicate that urban agriculture contributes to the development of insecticide resistance, which needs consideration in vector control strategies.
Environmental trade-offsHealthBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageUrban Agriculture: A Regenerative Urban Development Practice to Decrease the Ecological Footprints of Cities
2018Rowaida Rashed · Environmental Science & Sustainable Development · Global
This paper explores urban agriculture as a regenerative urban development practice aimed at decreasing the ecological footprints of cities. It defines environmental problems, explains the concept of the ecological footprint, and demonstrates how urban agriculture can be integrated into cities to improve environmental conditions and reduce ecological footprints. Urban agriculture is highlighted as one of the most effective regenerative practices.
Climate changeOrganic cycleBiodiversityBiochar Application for Sustainable Soil Quality
2018Subhadip Ghosh, Lai Fern Ow, Mohamed Lokman Mohd Yusof · · Singapore
A short-term experiment in an urban park in northern Singapore investigated biochar's effects on urban horticulture. Biochar, alone or with compost, was mixed with loamy soil, and Dissotisrotundifolia was planted under various treatments. Soil analysis revealed significant improvements in soil nutrient status and organic matter content with organic amendments, especially those containing biochar, though plant physiological characteristics showed no significant differences. The study suggests biochar as a potential soil amendment for perennial ground cover in Singapore's tropical climate.
Organic cycleBiodiversityCommunityAssessing agroecosystem sustainability in Cuba: A new agrobiodiversity index
2018Ángel Leyva, A. Lores · Elementa Science of the Anthropocene · Cuba
In Cuba, poorly balanced agrobiodiversity due to sugarcane monocropping has been a main constraint to sustainable agrarian development over the last 50 years. This paper discusses the development of a new Index of Agrobiodiversity (IDA) to assess agroecosystem sustainability, describing its components, development, and efficiency assessment. A practical application measured agroecosystems within Cuba’s urban agriculture movement, suggesting IDA is a valid proposal that requires few resources and generates information through local farmers.
BiodiversityOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Sanctuary: The New Domestic Outdoors
2018Johnson, Anna, Black, Richard · RMIT Research Repository (RMIT University Library) · Oceania
"Urban Sanctuary" showcases contemporary houses in urban Australia and New Zealand that demonstrate inventive ways of integrating outdoor spaces into domestic living. These projects feature various forms of gardens, including vertical gardens, micro-green spaces, rooftop gardens, courtyards, and reworked traditional gardens. The work explores how homes can interact with these diverse garden spaces.
DIYBiodiversityUnder the Microscope – Answer
2018Trevor A Lambkin · Metamorphosis Australia magazine of the Butterfly & Other Invertebrates Club · Australia
This article discusses native bees, noting their weak jaws result in a tickle-like bite and that indigenous peoples globally have extracted their honey for various uses. Research into native bees for crop pollination began in 1984, leading to the development of hive propagation techniques by 1987. The keeping of native bees, particularly the subtropical Carbonaria species, has since gained popularity among various groups including schools and community gardens.
PollinatorsBiodiversityCommunity