Research & reports

김혁수, 김영남, 김진원, 김계훈 · 한국토양비료학회지 · South Korea (Seoul)

This study investigated the physicochemical properties and heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) contents in 21 urban agricultural soils in Seoul. The total heavy metal concentrations in these soils were found to be lower than the warning levels specified by the Soil Environmental Conservation Act of Korea for area 1. Phytoavailable concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn were also reported.

Hongyuan Li · Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation · China (Tianjin)

An investigation of wild flowers in urban areas of Tianjin City was conducted from 2005 to 2010. The study examined the ecological habits, life forms, and distribution of each species, identifying six distinct distribution patterns: single, linear, scattered, assembled, radial, and climbing. Following an analysis of these patterns' characteristics, the potential use of these wild flowers in urban gardening was discussed.

Zhu Dong-guo · Geographical Research · China (Shanghai)

Using mathematical and econometric methods, an ecological security evaluation index system for urban agriculture in Shanghai was constructed for quantitative and comprehensive assessment. From 1993 to 1998, the agricultural resources security index was stable while the agricultural environment security index fluctuated, the agricultural socio-economic development index declined slightly, and the comprehensive agricultural ecological security index rose and fell in turn; from 1999 to 2008, after a small decrease from 1999-2004, the resources security index grew at an annual rate of 10.43%, while the environment security index, socio-economic development index, and comprehensive index grew at annual rates of 6.97%, 24.65%, and 6.88% respectively. By 2008, per-capita cultivated land in suburban districts, fertilizer application intensity per sown area, the ratio of agricultural comparative advantage, per-capita grain in rural areas, and the frequency of acid rain had become major limiting factors with obstacle degrees below 10.00%, with threats mainly originating from the agricultural resources and environment subsystem while the socio-economic development subsystem's negative influence diminished year by year.

Xiaohe Gu, Jihua Wang, Lijian Han, Huang Wenjiang, Pan Yuchun · Nongye xiandaihua yanjiu · China (Beijing)

Using multi-temporal Landsat TM imagery to track land-use and land-cover change across a demonstration zone for urban modern agricultural development in Beijing, China, this study built a quantitative ecological-service valuation model based on vegetation cover. Ecological service value increased substantially as urban modern agriculture diversified land-use types and expanded forest, grassland, and water cover, and the results indicate that environmental improvement and increased agricultural production can both be achieved by preserving and better transforming farmland.

Lee B., Binns T., Dixon A.B. · Field Actions Science Reports (Special Issue 1: Urban Agriculture) · Vietnam (Hanoi)

Field-based research in Hanoi identifies a shift from staple crops to higher-value vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals among urban farmers, and warns that without explicit urban agriculture provisions in city master plans, the practice risks disappearing within two to three decades.

美華 朱, 莉莉 木南 · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · China (Shanghai, Harbin)

This study used an internet survey to clarify urban residents' expectations for urban agriculture functions and discuss its sustainability through a comparative analysis of resident assessments in Shanghai and Harbin, China. It notes that expectations for urban agriculture functions and the relative importance of economic efficiency, sociality, and environmental protection vary by location.

Lin Ma · Xibu linye kexue · China (Kunming)

A study on the seedling stage adaptability of 8 Magnoliaceae species was conducted in Chenggong county, Yunnan province, from 2004 to 2009. Results from five years of seedling raising indicated that Woonyoungia septentrionalis, Michelia ingrata, and Manglietia grandis were not adapted to Chenggong and died in frost. Michelia velutina showed very significant differences in height and basal diameter growth compared to other species, leading to its evaluation as the top choice for urban gardening and greening in Kunming city, followed by Manglietia maguanica and Michelia lacei.

Junping Liu · System Sciences and Comprehensive Studies in Agriculture · China (Beijing)

This paper constructed an evaluation index system for urban agricultural multi-functionality using factor analysis and analytic hierarchy process for 13 agriculture-related districts in Beijing. Based on GIS spatial analysis of function, Beijing was divided into three urban agricultural subareas according to production economy function, social service function, and ecological protection function. The results indicate that Beijing urban agriculture has an obvious 'core-periphery' spatial structure but with different function-orientation, locational tendency, and development patterns.

Jin-Woo Choi, Hag-Kee Kim, Kyong-Jae Lee, Hyun-Kyung Kang · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · South Korea

This study analyzed the economics and growth characteristics of native and imported ground cover plants in a new shallow soil rooftop gardening method, using 13cm soil thickness, on the rooftop of the Korean National Housing Corporation. The new method cost 45,000 won/m², which was 50% less expensive than existing methods. Native ground cover plants and some imported species showed increased cover rate, live weight, and dry weight, with improved growth, though some species required weed maintenance.

W.-L. Rao, Z.-K. Zhang, Runzhong Li · Plant Disease · China (Kunming)

In June 2007, sweet cherry trees with mottling and mosaic symptoms were observed in a private garden near Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Twenty-four samples from sweet cherry, sour cherry, flowering cherry, and peach trees in private and community gardens were tested for eight viruses by RT-PCR. Cherry virus A (CVA) was detected in two symptomatic sweet cherry trees, marking the first report of CVA in sweet cherry in China.

XU Guang-zhong · Journal of Qinghai Normal University · China (Qinghai)

This analysis proposes the development of urban agriculture in Qinghai to address the ecological crisis arising from rapid urbanization. Urban agriculture, based on modern science and technology, integrates production, services, and consumption, possessing economic, ecological, and social functions. Promoting urban agriculture in Qinghai is stated to expand urban green areas and enhance the eco-city's functions.

Wang Wen-zhen · Journal of Huangshi Institute of Technology · China (Huangshi)

Due to economic development, Huangshi, China, located along the Yangtze River, has shifted its agriculture from a production-centered peri-urban pattern to a multi-functional urban pattern encompassing production, ecology, and landscape. Integrating urban agriculture with Huangshi's notable location along the Yangtze River is believed to give its modern agriculture distinct features and a promising future.

许光中 · 北京科技大学学报：社会科学版 · China (Qinghai Province)

This study examines urban agriculture in Qinghai Province, China, as a solution to urban ecological crises exacerbated by rapid urbanization. Urban agriculture, defined as modern agriculture integrating production, services, and consumption based on modern technology and diversified operations, can expand urban green spaces, improve urban ecology, and strengthen urban functions.

XU Guang-zhong · Journal of University of Science and Technology Beijing(Social Sciences Edition) · China

This article, using Qinghai Province as a case, argues that as urbanization accelerates and cities' ecological crises intensify, developing urban agriculture can help address this crisis. It describes urban agriculture as based on modern technology and reliant on agricultural industrialization, combining features of production, service and consumption, and states that promoting urban agriculture can expand green space, improve urban ecology, and strengthen urban functions.

Dolly Kumar, Archana Mishra · · India (Vadodara)

This study conducted the first comprehensive survey of ant communities in Vadodara District, India, to assess diversity and species composition in urban and agricultural ecosystems. Using pitfall traps and hand collection, 22 ant species from 13 genera and five subfamilies were collected. Urban ecosystems contained 15 species from nine genera, while agricultural ecosystems had 16 species from ten genera, with species composition unique to each habitat and likely influenced by surrounding vegetation and biota.

Pyung Sub Yoon, 이자희, 유병열 · · South Korea

This study examined plant adaptation in a low-management rooftop garden called Choroktteul, focusing on 29 species of herbaceous plants. It identified 30 woody and 22 herbaceous species with good adaptation, and 5 woody and 43 herbaceous species with bad adaptation.

Pang Zhen-ling · Anhui nongye kexue · China (Nanyang)

This paper investigates the resources of urban gardening plants in Nanyang, China. It summarizes the current situation of these plant resources and proposes reasonable suggestions for the further design of greening spaces in Nanyang.

윤평섭, 이자희, 유병열 · 실내조경 · South Korea (Seoul)

This study investigated plants in rooftop gardens at six sites in Seoul. It identified 19 tree species, 19 shrub species, and 6 vine species among woody plants. Herbaceous plants included 77 ground cover species, 12 bulb species, 10 herb species, and 13 hygrophyte species.

East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority · East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority, Government of West Bengal · India

The East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) span 12,500 hectares on the eastern edge of Kolkata city, forming the world's largest wastewater-fed aquaculture system built around about 254 sewage-fed fish ponds. Designated a Ramsar site of international importance in 2002, the wetlands are conserved and managed by EKWMA, established under the East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Act, 2006. The site faces growing threats from urbanization.

Liao Minghui · Nongye xiandaihua yanjiu · China (ChangshaZhuzhouXiangtan)

This paper discusses the essentiality of urban agriculture development in urban compact districts, highlighting its multiple efficacies including economic, social, and ecological benefits. Based on an analysis of typical examples in ChangshaZhuzhouXiangtan, the paper describes the current status and identifies many problems in urban agriculture. Finally, numerous countermeasures are proposed for these issues.

LiYuan LiYuan, Y Zu · Yunnan Nongye Daxue xuebao · China

This study tracked six years of dynamic change in agricultural structure, function, and diversity in Xiaodiantou Village, Gejiu City, Yunnan Province, China, as an example of suburban eco-agriculture. Results showed: (1) the structure shifted from a conventional, single food-production type to a commercial economic type combining hog raising, biogas, food crops, forestry, fruit, and vegetables; (2) economic benefit and the output-input value ratio increased gradually; (3) output of matter and energy increased with input, but the output-input ratio of energy and matter decreased when input became excessive; and (4) system diversity was closely related to structure and function, increasing as structure and function improved. Based on these findings, a measure for sustainable development was proposed.