Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
172 results(7 / 7)
The Application Of Food Landscape In Johns De La Howe School
2012Shuowei Qin · TigerPrints (Clemson University) · United States
This research explores the concept of "food landscape," which integrates edible plants into landscapes under a new ecological paradigm to address issues of food transportation energy consumption and land degradation. Through an intensive literature review, the study discusses the origin, rationale, and benefits of food landscape, drawing upon the new ecological paradigm and edible landscape concepts. The findings will be applied to Johns de la Howe School, also incorporating the concept of therapeutic gardens to develop design principles for successful food landscape implementation.
Food educationHealthBiodiversityControle alternativo do moleque-da-bananeira e manejo de hortas agroecológicas em comunidades do Semiárido nordestino.
2012Adriana Franklin de Souza da Silva, M. M. da Silva, L. M. de Santana, A. N. Moreira, J. R. B. Pereira, S. A. S. Amorim, C. R. R. S. França, A. P. G. Santos, Rooselvelt Izel Pereira de Melo · infoteca-e (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) · Brazil
This study describes multiple participatory research and technological learning fields concerning alternative control of banana weevils and the management of agroecological gardens in communities of the Brazilian Northeast Semi-arid region. These include projects on the Maria Tereza Project, Senator Nilo Coelho Irrigation Project, community agroecological gardens in Nova Descoberta, Petrolina, PE, chemical characteristics of biofertilizer, adaptation of lettuce varieties, and cultivation of different species using well water.
CommunityOrganic cycleBiodiversityPollination 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.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityAgricultura urbana e conservação de agrobiodiversidade: um estudo de caso em Mato Grosso, Brasil
2012Mirella Cultrera, Maria Christina de Mello Amorozo, Fábio Cop Ferreira · SITIENTIBUS série Ciências Biológicas · Brazil (Mato Grosso)
An ethnobotanical study in five peripheral neighborhoods of Santo Antônio do Leverger, Mato Grosso, Brazil, surveyed 135 households and detailed 30 to characterize food plant cultivation. Ninety-seven species from 38 families were identified across homegardens, fields, and empty lots. While some species were common, the similarity between species/varieties across households was generally below 50%, and many had low frequency, revealing a vulnerability to species loss despite social network circulation.
Limited or null effectBiodiversityCommunityHeirloom & landraceUrban–rural linkagePost‐Industrial Imaginaries: Nature, Representation and Ruin in Detroit, Michigan
2012Nate Millington · International Journal of Urban and Regional Research · United States
This article analyzes representations of urban nature in Detroit, Michigan, focusing on journalistic and photographic work over the past 5 years. These representations, part of a discourse on Detroit's decline, ultimately reflect dominant conceptual divisions between the city and nature. Journalists and commentators perceive nature in the city as a reflection of the city's absence rather than its materiality, suggesting an ambivalence about emergent urban ecologies.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageAssessing the vulnerability of traditional maize seed systems in Mexico to climate change
2011Bellon M. R., Hodson D., Hellin J. · PNAS 108(33):13432-13437 · Mexico
Assesses farmer-based traditional maize seed systems in Mexico and their vulnerability to climate change, with implications for maintaining and adapting landrace diversity in situ.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityCommunityPolicyCarbon, Nitrogen, and Orthophosphate Leaching from Soil under Single- and Mixed-species Landscapes
2011Tim Pannkuk, Jacqueline A. Aitkenhead‐Peterson, Kurt Steinke, James C. Thomas, David R. Chalmers, Richard H. White · HortScience · United States (Texas)
This experiment quantified nutrient concentrations and fluxes in leachate from single- and mixed-species urban landscapes at two Texas sites with different irrigation water chemistry. Plant species significantly affected phosphate flux, and irrigation chemistry significantly affected all nutrient fluxes. An interaction between plant species and irrigation chemistry was found for phosphate flux.
Organic cycleClimate changeBiodiversityDeterminates 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.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsDesigning the Green Roofs of the New Horticultural Center
2010Sarah Presogna · ScholarlyCommons (University of Pennsylvania) · United States (Philadelphia)
The Morris Arboretum is incorporating two new Green Roofs to demonstrate sustainable and functional stormwater management. The author designed an aesthetically pleasing rooftop garden, informed by visits to other local green roofs, which will mitigate stormwater runoff and showcase native and water-wise plants suitable for the Philadelphia area.
CommunityClimate changeBiodiversitySmall 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 effectCommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsDIVERSIDADE BIOLÓGICA NA AGRICULTURA PERIURBANA DO DISTRITO FEDERAL, MÉXICO
2010Hiran Moran Ramon Soriano-Robles · Ateliê Geográfico · Mexico (Mexico City)
In peri-urban agriculture in Mexico City, a traditional multi-cropping agro-ecosystem combining diverse species like maize, beans, and amaranth is preserved. Maize and amaranth are central to productive activities and are part of Mexico City's biological and cultural heritage. The conservation and utilization of this diversity can enhance the genetic potential of native crops, contribute to local agricultural development and sustainability, and potentially offer alternatives for a future global food crisis.
BiodiversityPeri-urban agricultureHeirloom & landraceFood sovereignty & justiceCan 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 educationUrban Ecosystem Ecology Section
2008Wayne C. Zipperer · Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America · United States
The Urban Ecosystem Ecology Section of the Ecological Society of America implemented a quarterly newsletter and field trip in 2007, sponsored two symposia, and voted to support travel awards for students presenting at the 2008 ESA meeting. The section's officers met their objectives by establishing these initiatives and will hold a meeting on August 5th to nominate new officers, discuss future events, and present travel awards.
CommunityBiodiversityField trials identify more native plants suited to urban landscaping
2008S. Karrie Reid, Lorence R. Oki · California Agriculture · United States (California)
In California, there is a growing need for landscape plants requiring fewer water and chemical inputs. A program at UC Davis screened ten unused or underused California native plants for low water tolerance in open-field conditions during summer 2006. No significant differences were found in summer growth or physical appearance across four irrigation levels. Six species maintained a favorable appearance throughout the season and are now undergoing further assessment in demonstration gardens across seven climate zones.
CommunityClimate changeBiodiversitySaving Seeds, Saving Culture: A Case Study of a Heritage Seed Bank
2007· Society & Natural Resources · United States
Case study of a nonprofit heritage seed bank (the Seed Savers Exchange), examining the cultural significance of heirloom seed saving and exchange.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityCommunityChicago's Urban Nature: A Guide to the City's Architecture + Landscape
2007Sally A. Kitt Chappell · · United States (Chicago)
Sally A. Kitt Chappell's "Urban Nature" is a guide to Chicago's blend of nature and architecture, highlighting the integration of green spaces into the city's cultural life. The book explores historic sites like Garfield Park Conservatory and contemporary green spaces such as City Hall's rooftop garden and Millennium Park. It emphasizes the connection between buildings, landscapes, culture, and nature in Chicago's urban concept.
CommunityBiodiversityPolicyReport on the Environmental Benefits and Costs of Green Roof Technology for the City of Toronto
2005Banting Doug, Doshi Hitesh, Li James, Missios Paul · Munich Personal RePEc Archive (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich) · Canada (Toronto)
This report presents findings on the municipal-level benefits of implementing green roof technology in Toronto, Canada. Quantifiable monetary benefits included stormwater flow reduction (including impact on combined sewer overflow), air quality improvement, reduced direct energy use, and reduction in the urban heat island effect. Other benefits like aesthetic improvement, increased property values, use as amenity spaces, food production, and increased biodiversity were identified but could not be quantified in this report, requiring further work.
Climate changeBiodiversityFood educationQuantitative evaluation of greenroof systems for sustainable development
2003Grace K. Luk · WIT transactions on ecology and the environment · Canada (Greater Toronto Area)
This paper describes the design and data collection for an on-site evaluation to quantify the benefits of greenroof systems, focusing on six greenroof systems in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. The study's objective is to specifically quantify the multiple benefits greenroofs provide, such as improved stormwater management, air quality, increased energy efficiency, extended roof life cycle, and mitigation of the Urban Heat Island Effect. A long-term, real-time monitoring program is intended to help define the ecological and hydraulic benefits of these greenroofs.
Climate changePolicyBiodiversityContemporary streamkeepers : a comparison of two urban horticultural restoration programs
2003Charles Rowley · eScholarship (California Digital Library) · United States (California)
This paper compared the successes and failures of two urban creek restoration programs in California: Temescal Creek (initiated nearly 30 years ago) and White Oak Creek (completed about four years ago). Based on the author's success criteria, the more recent White Oak Creek program achieved significant success, while the earlier Temescal Creek restoration did not reach generally acceptable success levels. This difference is attributed to changes in management and scientific practice over 30 years, including substantial changes in the legal basis for restoration, improved monitoring requirements, and the critical role of properly engineered low flow distribution structures.
Limited or null effectCommunityBiodiversityPolicyCommunity gardens and sustainable land use planning: A case‐study of the Alex Wilson community garden
1999Seana Irvine, Lorraine Johnson, Kim Peters · Local Environment · Canada
This case study provides an analytical account of the Alex Wilson Community Garden in Toronto, Canada, examining the connections between ecological restoration and community gardening. The garden, opened in June 1998, reflects Alex Wilson's work by linking these two enterprises to nurture relationships between people, communities, and the landscape. Its design reconstructs the natural and cultural history of southern Ontario with native plant species, aiming for a positive impact on local biodiversity. The participatory planning process involved various stakeholders and utilized planning tools like conservation easements.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityUrban–rural linkage