Novel woodland patches in a small historical Mediterranean city: Padova, Northern Italy

Urban Ecosystems

Volumn 19, Issue 1, 2016, Pages 475-487

  Sitzia, Tommaso ^a   Campagnaro, Thomas ^a   Weir, Robert George ^a,b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA   (Italy)

^b BANGOR UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Biodiversity; Spontaneous afforestation; Urban forest; Urban planning; Vegetation

Indexed keywords

EID: 84931082913     PISSN: 10838155     EISSN: 15731642     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s11252-015-0475-3     Document Type: Article

References (89)

1. Acosta A, Carranza LM, Giancola M (2005) Landscape change and ecosystem classification in a Municipal district of small city (Isernia, Central Italy). Environ Monit Assess 108:323–335
2. Alvey AA (2006) Promoting and preserving biodiversity in the urban forest. Urban For Urban Green 5:195–201
3. ARPAV (2013) Pollini e spore fungine allergenici nel Veneto—Rapporto anno 2012. http://www.arpa.veneto.it/temi-ambientali/pollini/file-e-allegati/rapporto-2012/RAPPORTO_Pollini_2012.pdf. Accessed 30 January 2014
4. Atkinson MD, Atkinson E (2002) Sambucus nigra L. J Ecol 90:895–923
5. Barbati A, Corona P, Salvati L, Gasparella L (2013) Natural forest expansion into suburban countryside: gained ground for a green infrastructure? Urban For Urban Green 12:36–43
6. Barbier S, Gosselin F, Balandier P (2008) Influence of tree species on understory vegetation diversity and mechanisms involved – a critical review for temperate and boreal forests. For Ecol Manag 254:1–15
7. Belsley DA, Kuh E, Welsch RE (1980) Regression diagnostics. Wiley, New York
8. Bossard M, Feranec J, Otahel J (2000) CORINE land cover technical guide—Addendum 2000. European Environmental Agency, Technical Report No. 40, Copenhagen, Denmark. http://www.eea.eu.int. Accessed 12 Dicember 2013
9. Braun-Blanquet J, Pavillard J (1928) Vocabulaire de sociologie végétale. Imprimerie Roumégous & Déhan, Montpellier
10. Breuste J, Haase D, Elmqvist T (2013) Urban landscapes and ecosystem services. In: Wratten S, Sandhu H, Cullen R, Costanza R (eds) Ecosystem services in agricultural and urban landscapes. Wiley, Chichester, pp 83–104
11. Celesti-Grapow L, Blasi C (1998) A comparison of the urban flora of different phytoclimatic regions in Italy. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 7:367–378
12. Celesti-Grapow L, Blasi C (2003) Archaeological sites as areas for biodiversity conservation in cities: the spontaneous vascular flora of the Caracalla Baths in Rome. Webbia 58:77–102
13. Celesti-Grapow L, Pyšek P, Jarošík V, Blasi C (2006) Determinants of native and alien species richness in the urban flora of Rome. Divers Distrib 12:490–501
14. Celesti-Grapow L, Alessandrini A, Arrigoni PV, Banfi E, Bernardo L, Bovio M, Brundu G, Cagiotti MR, Camarda I, Carli E, Conti F, Fascetti S, Galasso G, Gubellini L, La Valva V, Lucchese F, Marchiori S, Mazzola P, Peccenini S, Poldini L, Pretto F, Prosser F, Siniscalco C, Villani MC, Viegi L, Wilhalm T, Blasi C (2009) Inventory of the non‐native flora of Italy. Plant Biosyst 143:386–430
15. Chocholoušková Z, Pyšek P (2003) Changes in composition and structure of urban flora over 120 years: a case study of the city of Plzeň. Flora 198:366–376
16. Croci S, Butet A, Georges A, Aguejdad R, Clergeau P (2008) Small urban woodlands as biodiversity conservation hot-spot: a multi-taxon approach. Landsc Ecol 23:1171–1186
17. De Caceres M, Legendre P, Moretti M (2010) Improving indicator species analysis by combining groups of sites. Oikos 119:1674–1684
18. De Sanctis M, Alfò M, Attore F, Francesconi F, Bruno F (2010) Effect of habitat configuration and quality on species richness and distribution in fragmented forest patches near Rome. J Veg Sci 21:55–65
19. Del Tredici PD (2010) Spontaneous urban vegetation: reflections of change in a globalized world. Nat Cult 5:299–315
20. Development Core Team R (2013) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R foundation for statistical computing, Vienna
21. Comune di Padova (2012) Annuario statistico comunale 2012. www.padovanet.it. Accessed 12 December 2013
22. Doody BJ, Sullivan JJ, Meurk CD, Stewart GH, Perkins HC (2010) Urban realities: the contribution of residential gardens to the conservation of urban forest remnants. Biodivers Conserv 19:1385–1400
23. Dufrêne M, Legendre P (1997) Species assemblages and indicator species: the need for flexible assymetrical approach. Ecol Monog 67:345–366
24. Escobedo FJ, Kroeger T, Wagner JE (2011) Urban forests and pollution mitigation: analyzing ecosystem services and disservices. Environ Pollut 159:2078–2087
25. Gilliam FS (2007) The ecological significance of the herbaceous layer in temperate forest ecosystems. Bioscience 57:845–858
26. Godefroid S, Koedam S (2003) How important are large vs. small forest remnants for the conservation of the woodland flora in an urban context? Glob Ecol Biogeogr 12:287–298
27. Gonzalez M, Ladet S, Deconchat M, Cabanettes A, Alard D, Balent G (2010) Relative contribution of edge and interior zones to patch size effect on species richness: an example for woody plants. For Ecol Manag 259:266–274
28. Gonzalez-Moreno P, Pino J, Gassó N, Vilá M (2013) Landscape context modulates alien plant invasion in Mediterranean forest edges. Biol Inv 15:547–557
29. Greenberg M, Lowrie K, Mayer H, Miller KT, Solitare L (2001) Brownfield redevelopment as a smart growth option in the United States. Environmentalist 21:129–143
30. Guntenspergen GR, Levenson JB (1997) Understory plant species composition in remnant stands along an urban-to-rural lan-use gradient. Urban Ecosyst 1:155–169
31. Hamberg L, Fedrowitz K, Lehvävirta S, Kotze DJ (2010) Vegetation changes at sub-xeric urban forest edges in Finland—the effects of edge aspect and trampling. Urban Ecosyst 13:583–603
32. Harding DJ, Hilton GM (1992) Functional ecology of woodlands and forests. Springer, Berlin
33. Hermy M, Honnay O, Firbank L, Grashof-Bokdam C, Lawesson JE (1999) An ecological comparison between ancient and other forest plant species of Europe, and the implications for forest conservation. Biol Conserv 91:9–22
34. Hobbs ER (1988) Species richness in urban forest patches and implications for urban landscape diversity. Landsc Ecol 1:141–152
35. Hobbs RJ, Arico S, Aronson J, Baron JS, Bridgewater P, Cramer VA, Epstein PR, Ewel JJ, Klink CA, Lugo AE, Norton D, Ojima D, Richardson DM, Sanderson EW, Valladares F, Vilà M, Zamora R, Zobel M (2006) Novel ecosystems:theoreticla and management aspects of the new ecological world order. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 15:1–7
36. Ignatieva M, Stewart GH, Meurk C (2010) Planning and design of ecological networks in urban areas. Landsc Ecol Eng 7:17–25
37. Iida S, Nakashizuka T (1995) Forest fragmentation and its effect on species diversity in suburban coppice forests in Japan. For Ecol Manag 73:197–210
38. Jim CY, Chen WY (2009) Ecosystem services and valuation of urban forests in China. Cities 26:187–194
39. Kattwinkel M, Bierdermann R, Kleyer M (2011) Temporary conservation for urban biodiversity. Biol Conserv 144:2335–2343
40. Knapp S, Kühn I, Bakker JP, Kleyer M, Klotz S, Ozinga WA, Poschlod P, Thompson K, Thuiller W, Römermann C (2009) How species traits and affinity to urban land use control large-scale species frequency. Divers Distrib 15:533–546
41. Konijnendijk CC (2008) The forest and the city: the cultural landscape of urban woodland. Springer, Berlin
42. Korhonen L, Korhonen KT, Rautiainen M, Stenberg P (2006) Estimation of forest canopy cover: a comparison of field measurement techniques. Silva Fenn 40:577–588
43. Kowarik I (2005) Wild urban woodlands: towards a conceptual framework. In: Kowarik I, Körner S (eds) Wild urban woodlands. new perspectives for urban forestry. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–32
44. Kowarik I (2011) Novel urban ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation. Environ Pollut 159:1974–1983
45. Kowarik I, Langer A (2005) Natur-park Südgelände: linking conservation and recreating in an abandoned rail yard in Berlin. In: Kowarik I, Körner S (eds) Wild urban woodlands. new perspectives for urban forestry. Springer, Berlin, pp 287–299
46. Kowarik I, von der Lippe M, Cierjacks A (2013) Prevalence of alien versus native species of woody plants in Berlin differs between habitats and at different scales. Preslia 85:113–132
47. Kühn N (2006) Intentions for the unintentional: spontaneous vegetation as the basis for innovative planting design in urban areas. J Landsc Archit 1:46–53
48. Kühn I, Klotz S (2006) Urbanization and homogenization—comparing the floras of urban and rural areas in Germany. Biol Conserv 127:292–300
49. Lafortezza R, Corry RC, Sanesi G, Brown RD (2008) Visual preference and ecological assessments for designed alternative brownfield rehabilitations. J Environ Manag 89:257–269
50. LaPaix R, Harper K, Freedman B (2012) Patterns of exotic plants in relation to anthropogenic edges within urban forest remnants. Appl Veg Sci 15:525–535
51. Lehvävirta S, Rita H (2002) Natural regeneration of trees in urban woodlands. J Veg Sci 13:57–66
52. Lososová Z, Chytrý M, Tichý L, Danihelka J, Fajmon K, Hájek O, Kintrová K, Láníková D, Otýpková Z, Řehořek V (2012) Biotic homogenization of Central European urban floras depends on residence time of alien species and habitat types. Biol Conserv 145:179–184
53. Mabey R (1973) The unofficial countryside. William Collins Sons and Co, Glasgow
54. Malmivaara-Lämäs M, Löfström HL, Vanha-Majamaa I, Niemelä J (2008) Trampling tolerance of understorey vegetation in different hemiboreal urban forest site types in Finland. Urban Ecosyst 11:1–16
55. Masin Rizzieri R, Scortegagna S (2012) Flora alloctona del Veneto centro-meridionale (Province di Padova, Rovigo, Venezia e Vicenza—Veneto - NE Italia). Nat Vicentina 15:5–54
56. Mathey J, Rink D (2010) Urban Wastelands—a change for biodiversity in cities? Ecological aspects, social perceptions and acceptance of wilderness by residents. In: Müller N, Werner P, Kelcey JG (eds) Urban biodiversity and design. Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, New Jersey, pp 406–424
57. Matlack GR (1994) Vegetation dynamics of forest edge—trends in space and successional time. J Ecol 82:113–123
58. McDonald RI (2015) The effectiveness of conservation interventions to overcome the urban-environmental paradox. Ann N Y Acad Sci. doi:10.1111/nyas.12752
59. McDonnell M, Hahs A (2008) The use of gradient analysis studies in advancing our understanding of the ecology of urbanizing landscapes: current status and future directions. Landsc Ecol 23:1143–1155
60. McKinney ML (2008) Effects of urbanization on species richness: a review of plants and animals. Urban Ecosyst 11:161–176
61. Metcalfe DJ (2005) Hedera helix L. J Ecol 93:632–648
62. Millard A (2000) The potential role of natural colonisation as a design tool for urban forestry—a pilot study. Landsc Urban Plan 52:173–180
63. Millard A (2004) Indigenous and spontaneous vegetation: their relationship to urban development in the city of Leeds, UK. Urban For Urban Green 3:39–47
64. Mitchell JE, Popovich SJ (1997) Effectiveness of basal area for estimating canopy cover of ponderosa pine. For Ecol Manag 95:45–51
65. Nordh H, Østby K (2013) Pocket parks for people—a study of park design and use. Urban For Urban Green 12:12–17
66. Paradis E, Claude J, Strimmer K (2004) APE: analyses of phylogenetics and evolution in R language. Bioinformation 20:289–290
67. Penone C, Machon N, Julliard R, Le Viol I (2012) Do railway edges provide functional connectivity for plant communities in an urban context? Biol Conserv 148:126–133
68. Pignatti S (1982) Flora d’Italia. Edagricole, Bologna
69. Prach K, Pyšek P (2001) Using spontaneous succession for restoration of human-disturbed habitats: experience from Central Europe. Ecol Eng 17:55–62
70. Pyšek P (1998) Alien and native species in Central European urban floras: a quantitative comparison. J Biogeogr 25:155–163
71. Quantum GIS Development Team (2012) Quantum GIS geographic information systen. open source geospatial foundation project. http://qgis.osgeo.org
72. Rebele F (1994) Urban ecology and special features of urban ecosystems. Glob Ecol Biogeogr Lett 4:173–187
73. Richardson DM, MacDonald IAW, Forsyth GG (1989) Reduction in plant species richness under stands of alien trees and shrubs in the Fynbos Biome. South Afr For J 149:1–8
74. Robinson S, Lundholm J (2012) Ecosystem services provided by urban spontaneous vegetation. Urban Ecosyst 15:545–557
75. Säumel I, Kowarik I (2010) Urban rivers as dispersal corridors for primarily wind-dispersed invasive tree species. Landsc Urban Plan 94:244–249
76. Sitzia T, Semenzato P, Trentanovi G (2010) Natural reforestation is changing spatial patterns of rural mountain and hill landscapes: a global overview. For Ecol Manag 259:1354–1362
77. Sitzia T, Campagnaro T, Dainese M, Cierjacks A (2012) Plant species diversity in alien black locust forests: a paired comparison with native stands across a north-Mediterranean range expansion. For Ecol Manag 285:85–91
78. Sitzia T, Rizzi A, Cattaneo D, Semenzato P (2014) Designing recreational trails in a forest dune habitat using least-cost path analysis at the resolution of visitor sight distance. Urban For Urban Green 13:861–868
79. Solla A, Bohnens J, Collin E, Diamandis S, Franke A, Gil L, Burón M, Santini A, Mittempergher L, Pinon J, Broeck AV (2005) Screening European elms for resistance to Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. For Sci 51:134–141
80. Sukopp H, Numata M, Huber A (1995) Urban ecology as the basis of urban planning. SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam
81. Trentanovi G, von der Lippe M, Sitzia T, Ziechmann U, Kowarik I, Cierjacks A (2013) Biotic homogenization at the community scale: disentangling the roles of urbanization and plant invasion. Divers Distrib 19:738–748
82. Tüxen R, Ellenberg H (1937) Der systematische und ökologische gruppenwert. ein beitrag zur begriffsbildung und methodik der pflanzensoziologie. Mitt Florist-Soziol Arbgem 3:171–184
83. Vallet J, Daniel H, Beaujouan V, Rozé F, Pavoine S (2010) Using biological traits to assess how urbanization filters plant species of small woodlands. Appl Veg Sci 13:412–424
84. von der Lippe M, Kowarik I (2008) Do cities export biodiversity? traffic as dispersal vector across urban-rural gradients. Divers Distrib 14:18–25
85. Weber F, Kowarik I, Säumel I (2014) A walk on the wild side: Perceptions of roadside vegetation beyond trees. Urban For Urban Green 13:205–212
86. Werner P (2011) The ecology of urban areas and their functions for species diversity. Landsc Ecol Eng 7:231–240
87. Westermann JR, vor der Lippe M, Kowarik I (2011) Seed traits, landscape and environmental parameters as predictors of species occurrence in fragmented urban railway habitats. Basic Appl Ecol 12:29–37
88. Wittig R (2004) The origin and development of the urban flora of Central Europe. Urban Ecosyst 7:323–329
89. Zerbe S, Maurer U, Schmitz S, Sukopp H (2003) Biodiversity in Berlin and its potential for nature conservation. Landsc Urban Plan 62:139–148