Changes in urban green space configuration and connectivity using spatial graph-based metrics in Ardabil developing city, Iran.

Urban planning is essential for managing the diverse impacts of urban green spaces, such as public access, stormwater control, urban life quality, and landscape aesthetics, promoting sustainable urban development and urban residents' well-being by integrating green space considerations into city planning. The aim of this study is to use graph-based metrics to calculate the connectivity of UGS across the main municipal zones of Ardabil city over consecutive periods under different population growth rates. Another objective of this study is to compare the connectivity values of UGS in the four municipal zones and to evaluate changes in the connectivity indices at various distance thresholds of UGS patches. After identifying UGS in different periods, the changes in graph-based connectivity indices at various distance thresholds of UGS patches were analyzed. Additionally, the changes in connectivity indices over different periods and across various municipal zones were compared and analyzed. The findings reveal that UGS areas were larger in the past but have recently had smaller patch sizes. Connectivity between UGS nodes (dNL) decreased at various distances over the study years, showing a declining trend in different connectivity indices. UGS connectivity decreased in municipal zones 1, 2, and 3 but increased in recent years after a decline until 2012 across all four zones of Ardabil city. Zone 4 had the highest UGS connectivity due to newly developed urban areas and well-allocated UGSs. Integrating the ecological impacts of UGS connectivity in urban development and design will enhance trade-offs between conservation, public health, and social equity. New urban areas should allocate sufficient land for UGS and parks, ensuring accessibility to support health and leisure through municipal planning. The study highlights the need for sustainable urban development policies that prioritize the allocation and maintenance of UGSs.

Towards understanding climate change impacts: monitoring the vegetation dynamics of terrestrial national parks in Indonesia.

Monitoring vegetation dynamics in terrestrial national parks (TNPs) is crucial for ensuring sustainable environmental management and mitigating the potential negative impacts of short- and long-term disturbances understanding the effect of climate change within natural and protected areas. This study aims to monitor the vegetation dynamics of TNPs in Indonesia by first categorizing them into the regions of Sumatra, Jawa, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Eastern Indonesia and then applying ready-to-use MODIS EVI time-series imageries (MOD13Q1) taken from 2000 to 2022 on the GEE cloud-computing platform. Specifically, this research investigates the greening and browning fraction trends using Sen's slope, considers seasonality by analyzing the maximum and minimum EVI values, and assesses anomalous years by comparing the annual time series and long-term median EVI value. The findings reveal significantly increasing greening trends in most TNPs, except Danau Sentarum, from 2000 to 2022. The seasonality analysis shows that most TNPs exhibit peak and trough greenness at the end of the rainy and dry seasons, respectively, as the vegetation response to precipitation increases and decreases. Anomalies in seasonality that is affected by climate change was detected in all of the regions. To increase TNPs resilience, suggested measures include active reforestation and implementation of Assisted Natural Regeneration, strengthen the enforcement of fundamental managerial task, and forest fire management.

Metagenomics reveals the potential transmission risk of resistomes from urban park environment to human.

Urban parks play a significant role in urban ecosystems and are strongly associated with human health. Nevertheless, the biological contamination of urban parks - opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) - has been poorly reported. Here, metagenomic and 16 S rRNA sequencing methods were used to study the distribution and assembly of opportunistic pathogens and ARGs in soil and water from nine parks in Lanzhou city, and further compared them with local human gut microbiomes to investigate the potential transmission risk. Our results revealed that the most important type of drug resistance in urban parks was multidrug resistance, with various resistance mechanisms. Approximately half of ARGs were shared between human gut and park environment, and it was noteworthy that cross-species transmission might exist among some high-risk ARGs, such as mepA and mdtE, with a significant enrichment in human gut. Metagenomic binning uncovered several bacterial genomes carrying adjacent ARGs, MGEs, and virulence genes, indicating a possibility that these genes may jointly transfer among different environments, particularly from park environment to human. Our results provided a reference point for the management of environmental pollutants in urban parks.

Quantifying urban park use in the USA at scale: empirical estimates of realised park usage using smartphone location data.

BACKGROUND: A large body of evidence connects access to greenspace with substantial benefits to physical and mental health. In urban settings where access to greenspace can be limited, park access and use have been associated with higher levels of physical activity, improved physical health, and lower levels of markers of mental distress. Despite the potential health benefits of urban parks, little is known about how park usage varies across locations (between or within cities) or over time. METHODS: We estimated park usage among urban residents (identified as residents of urban census tracts) in 498 US cities from 2019 to 2021 from aggregated and anonymised opted-in smartphone location history data. We used descriptive statistics to quantify differences in park usage over time, between cities, and across census tracts within cities, and used generalised linear models to estimate the associations between park usage and census tract level descriptors. FINDINGS: In spring (March 1 to May 31) 2019, 18·9% of urban residents visited a park at least once per week, with average use higher in northwest and southwest USA, and lowest in the southeast. Park usage varied substantially both within and between cities; was unequally distributed across census tract-level markers of race, ethnicity, income, and social vulnerability; and was only moderately correlated with established markers of census tract greenspace. In spring 2019, a doubling of walking time to parks was associated with a 10·1% (95% CI 5·6-14·3) lower average weekly park usage, adjusting for city and social vulnerability index. The median decline in park usage from spring 2019 to spring 2020 was 38·0% (IQR 28·4-46·5), coincident with the onset of physical distancing policies across much of the country. We estimated that the COVID-19-related decline in park usage was more pronounced for those living further from a park and those living in areas of higher social vulnerability. INTERPRETATION: These estimates provide novel insights into the patterns and correlates of park use and could enable new studies of the health benefits of urban greenspace. In addition, the availability of an empirical park usage metric that varies over time could be a useful tool for assessing the effectiveness of policies intended to increase such activities. FUNDING: Google.

Where and how to invest in greenspace for optimal health benefits: a systematic review of greenspace morphology and human health relationships.

Research on the relationship between greenspace morphology and health is a growing field that informs the spatial design of greenspace to enhance health outcomes. This study reviews the current progress, methodologies, and knowledge gaps in this area. From a database search of 272 940 English articles and 39 053 Chinese articles up to April 18, 2024, we identified 22 and 7 studies on the topic for further evaluation. Predominantly cross-sectional and neighbourhood-scale analyses were conducted using land cover maps ranging from 0·25 to 100 meters in resolution. Six primary characteristics of greenspace morphology have been studied, including size, shape, fragmentation, connectedness, aggregation, and diversity. While associations between greenspace morphology and health outcomes have been observed, both their reliability and generalisability remain suggestive due to ecological study designs and heterogeneity among studies. Future research should prioritise individual-level prospective cohorts and intervention studies. Exploring mechanisms linking greenspace morphology and health, determining optimal map resolution, and distinguishing it from greenness magnitude in statistical analysis is essential. This evidence is crucial for health-promoting greenspace planning and should be routinely integrated into urban epidemiological research.

Impact of seasonal changes in urban green spaces with diverse vegetation structures on college students' physical and mental health.

Based on the perceptions of college student participants in winter and summer, the effects of different vegetation structures within landscapes (single-layer woodland, tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands, tree-grass composite woodland, and single-layer grassland) and concrete squares without plants were investigated, and the skin conductivity level (SCL) and environmental perception recovery score (PRS) associated with landscape types were calculated. The results indicated that seasonal differences in landscape perception significantly affected college student participants' PRS but not their SCL scores, both in winter and summer. Viewing single-layer and tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands in summer, as well as single-layer woodland in winter, enhanced the environmental perception of the college student participants. The restorative effects of the four vegetation types in green spaces were ranked as follows: single-layer woodland, tree-shrub-grass composite woodlands, single-layer grassland, and tree-grass composite woodlands and concrete squares without plants. These findings underscore the importance of considering seasonal variations when choosing plant species for landscaping purposes, with evergreen single-layer woodland being a suitable choice for winter urban landscapes. This provides a scientific basis for assessing landscape perception and preferences in the future.

Public safety considerations constraint the conservation of large old trees and their crucial ecological heritage in urban green spaces.

Large old trees in urban public green spaces deliver a diversity of values essential for human well-being, including biodiversity conservation. Yet, the conservation of large old trees bearing key wildlife microhabitats interferes with safety considerations. This intuitive notion, however, is backed by an insufficient and scattered body of evidence. Here, we empirically examined this process using data on 5974 trees across 510 sample plots, organized as quintuplets within 102 sample sites, including urban parks, cemeteries, recreational forests, and historic reserves in the urban agglomeration of Kraków, Poland. Our analyses demonstrate that trees situated in areas frequently visited by people, or those near walking paths, benches, or playgrounds, have elevated accident hazards and, therefore, necessitate intensive tree surgeries (pruning and logging) to remain harmless. Large old trees, which bear the most diverse microhabitats and pose greater risks when they collapse, are especially affected by these measures. Accordingly, we found that the co-occurrence of large trees with elevated accident hazards results in significant losses of dead and sloped trees, and trees with cavities, injuries, crown deadwood, fungal fruiting bodies, or epiphytes, particularly in parks and, to a lesser extent, in recreational forests. Apparently, some tree-related microhabitats, such as injuries, cavities, and microsoils, also emerge in risky spots after pruning. Our findings underscore that the conservation of large old trees and their ecological functions faces significant challenges due to safety considerations. To address conservation challenges and harmonize human coexistence with biodiversity, we recommend enhancing environmental awareness and reevaluating arboricultural and planning policies. This would involve establishing strategic and pocket reserves on city peripheries and interiors, allowing larger older trees to thrive and develop important microhabitats without compromising public safety. Otherwise, we risk losing many large old trees and/or their superior value for wildlife, which will regenerate over decades, if not centuries.

Effects of different natural soundscapes on human psychophysiology in national forest park.

Most of the current soundscape research content is limited to the discussion of the restoration effect of single-element soundscapes, but it is the combination of sounds that is common in outdoor activities, and there is no evidence that the restoration of natural soundscapes is better with multi-element combinations. In this study, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China was used as the research object, and the physiological indices of the subjects were collected through electroencephalogram signals, and the POMS short-form psychological scale was used to understand the subjective psychological responses of the subjects to the soundscape. The results showed that (1) The psychophysiological restorative ability of the natural soundscape of the National Forest Park was confirmed, and the subjects' psychological and physiological indices changed significantly and positively after listening to each section of the natural soundscape (p = 0.001). (2) The restorative effect of the multi-natural sound combination was ranked first in the overall ranking of the five natural soundscapes, and the multi-natural sound combination did indeed provide better restorative effects than the single-element sounds. (3) Gender does not usually have a significant effect on the restoration effect, and only Windy Sound among the four single-element nature sound landscapes and one multi-element combination of nature sound landscapes showed a significant gender difference, so in general, the effect of gender on the restoration effect of nature sound landscapes is not significant. In terms of research methodology, this study used cluster analysis to cluster the five types of natural soundscapes according to psychological and physiological recovery ability, and used ridge regression to construct mathematical models of the psychological and physiological recovery of each of the four natural soundscapes. The study of human physiological and psychological recovery from different types of natural soundscapes in China's national forest parks will provide a basis for soundscape planning, design, and policy formulation in national forest parks.

Comment on "Solar parks can enhance bird diversity in agricultural landscape" by Jarcuska et al.

This commentary critiques the methodology, interpretation of results, and broader implications of a study by Jarcuska et al. (2024). We argue that the study's design and analysis fail to conclusively demonstrate any causal link between solar parks and bird diversity or community composition. Furthermore, focusing solely on species diversity and community composition, the study overlooks the importance of functional diversity and functional structure of communities in assessing the ecological impacts of solar parks on agricultural ecosystems. By exposing these shortcomings and recommending well-established methods for future research, we aim to ensure robust and informative studies that guide balanced decision-making for conservation and all stakeholders.

Private management of African protected areas improves wildlife and tourism outcomes but with security concerns in conflict regions.

Protected areas can conserve wildlife and benefit people when managed effectively. African governments increasingly delegate the management of protected areas to private, nongovernmental organizations, hoping that private organizations' significant resources and technical capacities actualize protected areas' potential. Does private sector management improve outcomes compared to a counterfactual of government management? We leverage the transfer of management authority from governments to African Parks (AP)-the largest private manager of protected areas in Africa-to show that private management significantly improves wildlife outcomes via reduced elephant poaching and increased bird abundances. Our results also suggest that AP's management augments tourism, while the effect on rural wealth is inconclusive. However, AP's management increases the risk of armed groups targeting civilians, which could be an unintended outcome of AP's improved monitoring and enforcement systems. These findings reveal an intricate interplay between conservation, economic development, and security under privately managed protected areas in Africa.

Is Having Urban Green Space in the Neighborhood Enough to Make a Difference? Insights for Healthier City Design.

Background: Prior research indicates that engagement with nature is associated with mental well-being; however, the impact of accessibility to urban green spaces (UGS) with suitable infrastructure for visitation and physical activities, like leisure or recreation, remains underexplored, particularly in developing countries. Purpose: This study delves into whether merely having green space in the neighborhood is sufficient to impact residents' mental health in Brazilian metropolitan regions. Method: Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, data were collected from 2136 participants. The analyzed variables included the intensity, duration, and frequency of nature engagement, suitability of UGS for visitation and physical activities, and mental well-being indicators measured by the DASS-21 scale. Multivariate statistical analyses and multiple regression models were employed to verify hypothetical relationships. Results and conclusions: Higher intensity, duration, and frequency of nature engagement in UGS were significantly associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Notably, having urban UGS in the neighborhood alone was not enough to reduce mental health issues. Practical implications: The findings point out the need for urban planning policies that prioritize the development of high-quality, accessible green spaces to maximize mental well-being benefits. These insights could inform city designs that foster healthier urban environments. Future directions: Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality between nature engagement and mental health improvements. Further research should incorporate objective measures of nature engagement and explore more aspects of green space quality, such as biodiversity and amenities.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystem services in response to climate variability in Maze National Park and its environs, southwestern Ethiopia.

Climate variability is one of the major factors affecting the supply of ecosystem services and the well-being of people who rely on them. Despite the substantial effects of climate variability on ecosystem goods and services, empirical researches on these effects are generally lacking. Thus, this study examines the spatiotemporal impacts of climate variability on selected ecosystem services in Maze National Park and its surroundings, in southwestern Ethiopia. We conducted climate trend and variability analysis by using the Mann-Kendall (MK) trend test, Sen's slope estimator, and innovative trend analysis (ITA). Relationships among ecosystem services and climate variables were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), while partial correlation was used to evaluate the relationship among key ecosystem services and potential evapotranspiration (PET). The MK tests show a decreasing trend for both mean annual and main rainy season rainfall, with Sen's slope (ß) = -0.721 and ß = -0.1.23, respectively. Whereas, the ITA method depicted a significant increase in the second rainy season rainfall (Slope(s) = 1.487), and the mean annual (s = 0.042), maximum (s = 0.024), and minimum (s = 0.060) temperature. Spatial correlations revealed significant positive relationships between ecosystem services and the mean annual rainfall and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), while negative correlations with the mean annual temperature. Additionally, temporal correlations highlighted positive relationships among key ecosystem services and the main rainy season rainfall. The maximum and minimum temperatures and ecosystem services were negatively correlated; whereas, there was strong negative correlations between annual (r = -0.929), main rainy season (r = -0.990), and second rainy season (r = -0.814) PET and food production. Thus, understanding the spatiotemporal variability of climate and the resulting impacts on ecosystem services helps decision-makers design ecosystem conservation and restoration strategies to increase the potential of the ecosystems to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate variability.

The role of playgrounds in promoting children's health - a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Active outdoor play is important for children's health and development, and playgrounds provide good places for play. However, the importance of playground use for health and well-being is unclear. Our scoping review aims to create an overview of all research on playground use and health benefits for children. METHODS: Scopus, Web of Science, SportDiscus, and PsycInfo were searched using two search blocks, focusing on 'playground' and 'children' respectively, for publications from 2000 to November 2023. The primary inclusion criterion was examining the relationship between playground use and positive physical, mental, or social health outcomes. Only papers published in English were reviewed. For each publication, we synthesized and condensed the results, categorizing them by playground setting, reported health outcome, participant age group, study design, methodologies, publication's country, year, and 'stage of evidence'. RESULTS: Data from 247 studies were extracted and nearly 80% of these publications were descriptive or exploratory studies. Fifty-two were intervention studies. Adding playground markings to schoolyards led to increased physical activity. Greening schoolyards had mainly positive effects on social and mental health. In Early Childhood Education and Care, renewing play structures had a positive effect on physical activity in three publications. All Public Open Space interventions we found were different, with mixed effects on health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The existing evidence provides good arguments for policy makers, city planners and school-leaders to invest in adding playground markings in schoolyards as this will likely result in more physical activity. The evidence for the health benefits of investing in new play structures indicated that tailoring the playground to local needs is important as 'one size does not fit all' and playgrounds need to be designed as engaging and interesting places for children's play if they are to generate health benefits. Investing in 'greening' playgrounds is likely to result in social and mental health benefits for children, but does not always result in more physical activity. The research field needs more efficacy and effectiveness studies, and in particular replication and scale-up studies to demonstrate which type of playground interventions are successful. PROTOCOL: The review protocol was registered at Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UYN2V ).

Traditional ecological knowledge for monitoring Anaphalis javanica (DC.) Sch.Bip. (Asteraceae) in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia.

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) possessed by indigenous communities offers a vital source of information regarding the status and threats faced by species. Anaphalis javanica (DC.) Sch.Bip. commonly known as Javanese edelweiss is a culturally significant species in Indonesia's mountainous regions, yet conservation efforts for it remain limited. We utilized TEK to assess the status and threats to the Javanese edelweiss in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia. The research aims to assess the distribution, abundance, population trends, and threats faced by Javanese edelweiss using TEK. We interviewed 641 individuals from seven Tengger villages near the park to gather data on the distribution, status, and threats facing the Javanese edelweiss, contributing to conservation efforts. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and ordinal logistic regression. TEK regarding the Javanese edelweiss was extensive, as 96.3% of respondents recognized the plant. A majority (73.2%) had observed Javanese edelweiss in the wild, yet a significant portion (85%) perceived it as "very rare" or "rare." Furthermore, 50% of respondents reported a decline in its population. Variations in sighting frequency, perceived abundance, and population trends across different locations provide crucial insights for identifying priority areas and shaping community-based conservation strategies for Javanese edelweiss. This research underscores the importance of integrating TEK into conservation planning, emphasizing community involvement for effective and sustainable biodiversity conservation.

Assessing marine ecosystem health using multi-omic analysis of blue mussel liquid biopsies: A case study within a national marine park.

Marine ecosystems are under escalating threats from myriad environmental stressors, necessitating a deeper understanding of their impact on biodiversity and the health of sentinel organisms. In this study, we carried out a spatiotemporal multi-omic analysis of liquid biopsies collected from mussels (Mytilus spp.) in marine ecosystems of a national park. We delved into the epigenomic, transcriptomic, glycomic, proteomic, and microbiomic profiles to unravel the intricate interplay between ecosystem biodiversity and mussels' biological response to their environments. Our analysis revealed temporal fluctuations in the alpha diversity of the circulating microbiome associated with human activities. Analysis of the hemolymphatic circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) provided information on the biodiversity and the presence of potential pathogens. Epigenomic analysis revealed widespread hypomethylation sites within the mitochondrial (mtDNA). Comparative transcriptomic and glycomic analyses highlighted differences in metabolic pathways and genes associated with immune and wound healing functions. This study demonstrates the potential of multi-omic analysis of liquid biopsy in sentinel to provide a holistic view of human activities' environmental impacts on marine coastal ecosystems. Overall, this approach has the potential to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of various conservation efforts, leading to more informed decision-making and better outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

A Typology of National Park Co-management Agreements in the Era of Reconciliation in Canada.

Parks Canada, in response to commitments undertaken towards reconciliation, has signaled its readiness to reassess the participation of Indigenous peoples in the co-management of national parks, national park reserves, and national marine conservation areas (NMCAs). However, the effectiveness of co-management, as the established framework underpinning these and other longstanding partnerships between the state and Indigenous groups, has been disputed, based on an uneven track record in meeting the needs, interests, and aspirations of Indigenous communities. This paper explores the potential of co-management to facilitate reconciliation within national parks, reserves and NMCAs by developing a typology of various types of co-management agreements. Addressing a critical knowledge gap in co-management governance, we provide a comprehensive review of 23 negotiated co-management agreements involving the state and Indigenous groups in a national park context. The resulting typology categorizes these agreements according to contextual factors and governance arrangements, offering insights into the feasibility of shared governance approaches with Parks Canada. Moreover, it identifies the strengths and weaknesses of co-management agreements in fulfilling reconciliation commitments. Our findings indicate that, although Parks Canada has implemented innovative approaches to co-management and shown a willingness to support Indigenous-led conservation efforts, true shared governance with Indigenous groups, as defined by international standards, is limited by the Canadian government's evident reluctance to amend the foundational legislation to effectively share authority in national parks.

Ecosystem Services Approach in Turnicki National Park Planning: Factors Influencing the Inhabitants' Perspectives on Local Natural Resources and Protected Areas.

Despite changing paradigms in nature conservation, protected areas, such as national parks, remain key tools for nature conservation. Today, protected areas are perceived as socio-ecological systems, therefore using an ecosystem services approach may help in their designation. Here, we focus on the planned Turnicki National Park located in the far eastern part of the Polish Carpathian Mountains and conflict between proponents of the park establishment and local stakeholders. We used an ecosystem services-driven questionnaire survey among local communities to analyze interactions between the perception of ecosystem services and opinions about national parks, and the role of social and economic status in shaping these opinions. We found links between opinions towards national parks and other factors: age, life span in a municipality, level of education, and an average net income. Respondents who perceived benefits from nature were more positive towards national parks in general and the Turnicki National Park specifically; however, those who prioritized provisioning services were more skeptical. Also, we distinguished four Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis models which describe factors shaping opinions on national parks, respectively. The study has shown that the ecosystem services lens perspective can help in exploring the factors crucial while establishing the protected areas in specific social and economic context. The main implication for the study is careful consideration of the role of national park to protect the local environment in harmony with social needs and economic development.

Residual distribution and risk assessment of neonicotinoids in urban green space soils of the pearl river delta, South China: A socioeconomic analysis.

Urban green spaces are the soil component in cities that interacts most closely with humans. This study investigated the residues of seven neonicotinoids (NEOs) in soils from urban green spaces within the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region and analyzed the correlation between the residue characteristics and the region's economic development. Notably, we introduced the Nemerow Index method, a comprehensive approach, to quantify the overall pollution level of NEOs in the soil of urban park green spaces and utilized this to assess the cumulative exposure probability risks for different populations in this scenario. We found that: (1) The soil of urban park green spaces exhibited varying degrees of NEOs contamination (Σ7NEOs: N.D.-137.31; 6.25 µg/kg), with imidacloprid and clothianidin constituting the highest proportions (89.46 % and 83.60 %); (2) The residual levels of NEOs in Children's Park were significantly higher than those in community parks within Guangzhou, with an average value of 13.30 µg/kg compared to 3.30 µg/kg; (3) The residual characteristics of NEOs exhibited a positive correlation with regional economic development; specifically, the per capita GDP well correlated with IMIRPF, a summation of seven NEOs in imidacloprid equivalents via relative potency factors (R2 =0.86). Regions with higher economic development typically exhibited elevated IMIRPF levels; (4) The fitted cumulative probability distributions for average daily exposure doses revealed that children's exposure was an order of magnitude higher than adults'. Despite this, the exposure risks for both groups remained within acceptable limits.

Who Benefits? A Mixed Methods Study Assessing Community Use of a Major Metropolitan Park During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

By providing spaces for recreation, physical activity, social gatherings, and time in nature, urban parks offer physical, mental, and social benefits to users. However, many urban residents face barriers to park use. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new potential barriers to urban park access and use, including changes to daily life and employment, closure of park amenities and restrictions to public movement, and risk from the coronavirus itself. The mixed-methods PARCS study measured use and perceptions of a large urban park in St. Louis, Missouri before, during, and after local COVID-19 contingency measures and restrictions. We examine data from 1,157 direct observation assessments of park usership, an online survey of park users (n=561), interviews with key stakeholders (n=27), four focus groups (n=30), and a community-based participatory research sub-study (n=66) to comprehensively characterize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on park use. Park users who felt unsafe from the coronavirus experienced 2.65 higher odds of reducing park use. However, estimated park visits during COVID-19 contingency measures (n=5,023,759) were twice as high as post-contingency (n=2,277,496). Participants reported using the park for physical activity, recreation, time in nature, and socializing during the contingency period. Black, Hispanic/Latino, and young people were less likely to visit the park than others, suggesting an additional, disproportionate impact of the pandemic on minoritized and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. This study highlights the role of public spaces like parks as resources for health and sites where urban health inequities can be alleviated in times of public crisis.

Diet and seed dispersal of bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Brasilia National Park.

The dietary ecology of a species can provide information on habitat requirements, food resources, and trophic interactions, important to guide conservation efforts of wildlife populations in endangered habitats. In this study, we investigated the dietary ecology of bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Brasilia National Park, in the endangered Cerrado biome of central Brazil. To obtain diet composition and evaluate the role of these primates as seed dispersers of local tree species, fecal sample collections and feeding observations were performed for a 7-month period. To determine whether seeds germinated better after passing through a primate gut, we conducted germination trials with (i) pulped seeds from trees, (ii) depulped seeds from trees, (iii) seeds from feces planted with feces, and (iv) seeds from feces planted without feces. During experimental procedures, 7308 seeds from 8 families and 10 species were planted. We found that S. libidinosus spent more time feeding on fruits than on any other food item and the diet consisted of 33 plant species from 21 families. However, 20% of their diet consisted of anthropic food. Most seeds planted with feces germinated faster compared to seeds in other experimental treatments, suggesting that passing through the gut and being deposited with fecal material is advantageous. The bearded capuchins also defecated many medium- (5 species) and large-sized (2 species) seeds that may be inaccessible to smaller arboreal frugivores. The results obtained emphasize the important role of bearded capuchins as seed dispersers for the maintenance and conservation of the endangered Cerrado biome.