Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
41 results(2 / 2)
Urbanization alters communities of flying arthropods in parks and gardens of a medium-sized city
2017Edward Lagucki, Justin Burdine, Kevin E. McCluney · PeerJ · United States (Toledo, Ohio)
This study investigated associations between urbanization and flying arthropod communities in 30 gardens and parks in Toledo, Ohio, during July and August 2016, collecting 2,369 individuals across nine orders using elevated pan traps. Flying arthropod community composition was associated with percent impervious surface and canopy cover. Overall abundance was negatively associated with impervious surface and positively with distance to city center, with specific taxa showing similar responses, indicating urbanization reduces taxa important for urban agriculture.
BiodiversityPollinatorsClimate changeTaxonomic and functional trait diversity of wild bees in different urban settings
2017Étienne Normandin, Nicolas J. Vereecken, Christopher M. Buddle, Valérie Fournier · PeerJ · Canada
This study collected 32,237 wild bee specimens (200 species, 6 families) from 46 sites in Montreal and Quebec City in 2012 and 2013, across cemeteries, community gardens, and urban parks. It demonstrated that cities are home to diverse communities of wild bees, which in turn affect bee community structure and dynamics. Community gardens specifically harbored high levels of functional trait diversity, suggesting a substantial contribution to urban pollination services.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityLandscape and Local Correlates of Bee Abundance and Species Richness in Urban Gardens
2016Robyn D. Quistberg, Peter Bichier, Stacy M. Philpott · Environmental Entomology · United States (California)
This study investigated bee abundance and species richness in 19 urban community gardens on the California central coast using aerial nets and pan traps. Researchers found 55 bee species and identified that local factors, such as garden size, floral abundance, mulch cover, bare ground, and grass, were generally more important correlates than landscape factors. Medium bees were less abundant in areas with more medium-intensity developed land within 2 km.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityWild Bees in the City: Reimagining Urban Spaces for Pollinator Health
2016Andrea Burr · Consilience · United States (St. Louis, Missouri)
This interdisciplinary pilot study in St. Louis, Missouri, USA (2013-2015) investigated relationships between pollinator health and urban land-uses. Wild bees were sampled weekly at urban farms, community gardens, and prairie pockets, and ethnographic interviews were conducted with 30 decision-makers in summer 2015. Informants described bees' role in crop yield and reported planting to attract pollinators, suggesting the city is viable for pollinator habitat.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityUrban–rural linkageSubstantial Mortality of Cabbage Looper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) From Predators in Urban Agriculture Is not Influenced by Scale of Production or Variation in Local and Landscape-Level Factors
2016David M. Lowenstein, Maryam Gharehaghaji, David H. Wise · Environmental Entomology · United States
A study at 28 urban food-production sites in the Midwestern United States measured the removal of sentinel eggs and larvae of the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) by predators over a 3-day period. Predators removed 50% of eggs and 25% of larvae, with mortality rates not predicted by landscape factors and similar across residential gardens, community gardens, and farms. Laboratory assays confirmed that lady beetles, spiders, and pirate bugs consumed eggs and larvae at high rates.
BiodiversityPollinatorsDiversity of wild bees supports pollination services in an urbanized landscape
2015Lowenstein D.M., Matteson K.C., Minor E.S. · Oecologia, 179(3):811-821 · United States
A study measuring wild bee diversity and cucumber pollination (a pollination service) across urban Chicago. Sites with more bee species had better pollination, and even densely populated residential areas supported high bee richness. It demonstrates that growing diverse flowers in urban gardens sustains pollinators and directly benefits urban agricultural yields.
PollinatorsBiodiversityFood educationCommunityThe Value of Urban Vacant Land to Support Arthropod Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
2013Mary M. Gardiner, Caitlin E. Burkman, Scott P. Prajzner · Environmental Entomology · United States
This article discusses the ecological value of urban vacant land in the United States, particularly its role in supporting arthropod biodiversity and ecosystem services. It notes that vacant lands can offer opportunities to preserve declining species and restore ecosystem functions. The article emphasizes the need for quantifying the current ecological value of vacant land and assessing how changes in its ecosystem management affect biodiversity and ecosystem processes, with a specific focus on arthropods.
BiodiversityPollinatorsOrganic cycleUrban–rural linkageThe Effects of Urban Land Use on Wasps: (Hymenoptera: Apocrita)
2013Klaire Elise Freeman · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · United States (Cleveland)
A study in Cleveland, Ohio, examined the role of wasps in urban gardens and vacant lots, collecting 13,339 arthropods, including 5,165 wasps across 24 families and 369 morphospecies. The findings showed higher wasp abundance, species richness, and number of families in vacant lots compared to urban gardens. Specifically, vacant lots had 2,703 individuals and 288 morphospecies, while gardens had 2,462 individuals and 231 morphospecies.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityEvaluating Community Gardens as Habitat for an Urban Butterfly
2012Kevin C. Matteson, Gail Langellotto · Cities and the Environment · United States (New York City)
This study used mark-recapture and translocation experiments to assess the residency and movement of the urban butterfly, Pieris rapae, within and among community gardens in New York City. While most marked butterflies used gardens transiently, recruitment and residence time were higher in larger gardens and those with more flowers. The study demonstrated the butterfly's ability to move through developed landscapes and locate floral resources.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsPollination by Native Bee Communities in Berkeley, California
2012Kevin F. Welzel · Berkeley Scientific Journal · United States (California)
This study examined native bee pollination at two urban agricultural sites in Berkeley, California: the Oxford Tract and Berkeley Youth Alternative garden. It observed squash, tomato, strawberry, and sunflower plants, collecting data on distance from natural habitat, native bee pollinator diversity, and visitation rates. The study found mixed results for genus richness and evenness, and a t-test indicated no significant difference in visitation rates for each plant type between the two sites.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityThe Honeybee Man by L. Nargi
2011Sarah Mead-Willis · The Deakin Review of Children s Literature · United States (Brooklyn)
"The Honeybee Man" by L. Nargi is a 2011 picture book about Fred, a Brooklyn resident who keeps three honeybee colonies on his townhouse roof. The book illustrates Fred's urban beekeeping, showing how his bees collect nectar across the borough and how he harvests and distributes honey to neighbors. It aims to educate young families about local ecology and human community, explaining bee behavior and the processes of beekeeping and honeymaking.
DIYCommunityPollinatorsFood educationDeterminates of inner city butterfly and bee species richness
2010Kevin C. Matteson, Gail Langellotto · Urban Ecosystems · United States (New York City)
A study in community gardens in densely populated Bronx and East Harlem, New York City, evaluated local and landscape factors influencing bee and butterfly richness. Contrary to predictions, models showed that within-garden variables like floral area and sunlight availability were the most influential factors for both bee and butterfly richness. Marginal support was found for models of bee richness including the number of surrounding building units, which showed a negative association.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsSmall scale additions of native plants fail to increase beneficial insect richness in urban gardens
2010Kevin C. Matteson, Gail Langellotto · Insect Conservation and Diversity · United States (New York City)
The ability of adding 70 plants of seven native wildflower species over two years to augment beneficial insect richness, including bees, butterflies, and predatory wasps, was assessed in New York City community gardens. Bayesian analyses failed to find a strong influence of the native plant additions on beneficial insect richness, even after correcting for prior floral abundance. Butterflies and megachilid bees were found to heavily utilize introduced ornamental and crop flowers in these gardens, even when native flowers were present.
Limited or null effectCommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsCan green roofs provide habitat for urban bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)?
2009Colla S.R., Willis E., Packer L. · Cities and the Environment (CATE), 2(1):4 · Canada (Toronto area)
A foundational study comparing bee diversity and abundance on green roofs and ground-level sites near Toronto. With suitable plants and management, green roofs can host bee communities comparable to ground habitats, discussing implications for urban pollinator conservation and rooftop agriculture.
PollinatorsBiodiversityCommunityBumble Bee Abundance in New York City Community Gardens: Implications for Urban Agriculture
2009Kevin C. Matteson, Gail Langellotto · Cities and the Environment · United States (New York City)
In 2005, a study compiled a list of crop plants in 19 New York City community gardens, classifying them by bee pollination dependence. Using mark-recapture methods, the abundance of the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) was estimated. Wild populations of B. impatiens were found to be abundant in New York City community gardens, where it is the most prevalent native bee species and visits various crop flowers.
PollinatorsBiodiversityCommunityModification of a Community GArden to Attract Native Bee Pollinators in Urban San Luis Obispo, California
2009J. C. Pawelek, Gordon W. Frankie, Robbin W. Thorp, Maggie Przybylski · Cities and the Environment · United States (California)
A community garden in San Luis Obispo, California, was modified by planting bee-attractive plants to attract native bee pollinators. Garden modification and monitoring of native bees occurred from 2007 through the 2009 growing season. The diversity of collected and observed native bees increased each year, with 40 species in 17 genera recorded to date.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsFood education