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Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition
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Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 6911

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yafei Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: urban ecosystem services; blue–green infrastructure; urban nature-based solution; human wellbeing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid growth of cities, the urban ecosystem is becoming one of the most important habitats for human beings. It combines natural and anthropogenic components that interact with one another, providing both natural and artificial benefits that influence the quality of urban life. Under the carbon neutrality targets of various countries across the world, nature-based solutions (NBSs) will play an increasingly important role in addressing climate change. NBSs constitute a type of ecosystem-based blue and green infrastructure (BGI) involving interconnected networks of natural and artificial landscape components. The natural processes and aspects of BGI underpin their functions, which in turn results in most urban ESs. Under the pressure of urban expansion and climate change, better information on how ESs contribute to the urban ecosystem and human well-being is crucial for decision-making and urban planning and will likely improve sustainable urban development. This Special Issue will present an up-to-date overview of advances in ecosystem services and urban sustainability by bringing together conceptual, epistemological, methodological, and predominantly case-based studies or applied perspectives.

The editors of this Topic encourage submissions focused on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • New definition, characterization, or mapping of urban forms, urban ecosystem services, or urban management.
  • Novel approaches to identify the main drivers of land cover/land use change for sustainable urban development in urban planning throughout history.
  • Innovative concepts, methods, or technologies to analyze and model urban land cover/land use change, human–nature interaction, or social–ecological system dynamics.
  • Disentangling the synergy and trade-offs among social progress, regional development, environmental management, and urban planning.
  • New concepts, technologies, approaches, and developments of NBS.
  • New technologies, methodologies, and tools to support BGI planning in sustainable urban development.

Dr. Yafei Wang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • drivers of land cover/land-use change
  • urban sustainability
  • urban ecosystem services
  • urban ecosystem
  • geographic information technologies
  • human–nature interactions
  • blue and green infrastructure planning
  • nature-based solutions

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 10301 KiB  
Article
Integrated Approach to Understanding Perceived Importance and Changes in Watershed Ecosystem Services (WESs): Insights from Central Nepal
by Nabin Dhungana, Chun-Hung Lee, Samjhana Adhikari, Bishal Kumar Rayamajhi, Udit Chandra Aryal and Pramod Ghimire
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010062 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 867
Abstract
With environmental changes, sustaining watershed ecosystem services requires understanding community perceptions and preferences. Integrated approaches considering community perceptions, climate change, and land use cover change are crucial. We address a study gap by combining climate change and land use cover change data with [...] Read more.
With environmental changes, sustaining watershed ecosystem services requires understanding community perceptions and preferences. Integrated approaches considering community perceptions, climate change, and land use cover change are crucial. We address a study gap by combining climate change and land use cover change data with an analysis of community perceptions to evaluate the watershed ecosystem services situation in Nepal’s Khageri Khola Watershed. Data from in-depth stakeholder interviews (n = 16), household perception surveys (n = 440), and participant observations (n = 5) were supplemented by meteorological and land use cover change data. Descriptive analysis, index value calculation, Spearman’s Rho correlation, and chi-square statistics were used to understand linkages between socio-demographics, climate change perceptions, watershed ecosystem services importance, and changes in watershed ecosystem services supply. The Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope calculation, and land use cover change analysis considered temperature, precipitation, and land use. Among watershed ecosystem services, communities prioritized drinking water as the most important and biodiversity support as the least important. Watershed ecosystem services exhibited decreasing trends, with soil fertility and productivity notably high (89%) and natural hazard control low (41%). Significant alignment existed between community perceptions and local climate indicators, unlike the incongruity found with land use cover changes, especially regarding water bodies. Socio-demographic factors influenced community perceptions. Policy recommendations include analyzing watershed-level community demand and preferences, integrating community perceptions with climate change and land use cover change data in decision making, engaging communities, equitable sharing of the benefits generated by watershed ecosystem services, and considering socio-demographic and topographic diversity in tailoring management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 5730 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Urban Sustainability: How Spatial and Height Variability of Roadside Plants Improves Pollution Capture for Greener Cities
by Robert Popek, Anamika Roy, Mamun Mandal, Arkadiusz Przybysz, Katarzyna Drążkiewicz, Patrycja Romanowska and Abhijit Sarkar
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11131; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411131 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 758
Abstract
Air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), poses a significant threat to urban environments and public health. This study aims to explore the impact of small-scale spatial and height variations on the ability of different roadside tree species: Tilia cordata Mill., Platanus × hispanica [...] Read more.
Air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), poses a significant threat to urban environments and public health. This study aims to explore the impact of small-scale spatial and height variations on the ability of different roadside tree species: Tilia cordata Mill., Platanus × hispanica Mill. ex Münchh., and Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers., to accumulate PM, providing insights for enhancing urban sustainability. Conducted along a high-traffic road in Warsaw, Poland, the research examines PM accumulation at varying heights and locations within tree canopies while also evaluating the influence of PM on photosynthetic efficiency. Results indicate substantial differences in PM accumulation between tree species and height ranges, with S. intermedia accumulating the highest PM levels. PM accumulation was greatest near the roadside and at lower canopy heights (1–1.5 m), while higher canopies and areas distant from the road showed reduced PM concentrations. T. cordata exhibited the highest PM accumulation on the side facing traffic, averaging 12% at 1–1.5 m height, while the interior recorded 5% at 2–2.5 m height. In S. intermedia, the roadside crown contributed the highest accumulation (14%) at 1–1.5 m height and only 6% on the side facing departing traffic at 2–2.5 m height. P. hispanica displayed higher efficiency in PM accumulation, reaching 11% at the roadside (1–1.5 m) and 7% at the top of the crown (3–3.5 m). Additionally, PM accumulation negatively impacted photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll content, with the highest PM levels correlating with reduced plant vitality. PCA analysis showed a stronger association between leaf-deposited PM and total chlorophyll content and that the presence of accumulated PM may significantly influence the chlorophyll content of the plants. These findings provide valuable guidance for urban planners in strategically planting roadside vegetation to maximize air quality improvement, offering a cost-effective and sustainable approach to mitigate urban pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 3758 KiB  
Article
Assessing Rainwater Risks and Rainwater Harvesting Opportunities for the New Capital City of Indonesia
by Walter Timo de Vries and Jialan Shi
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9999; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229999 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 964
Abstract
In the context of planning and construction of the new capital city of Indonesia, referred to as Ibu Kota Negara (IKN), this article addresses the spatial risks and opportunities of rainwater resources in the area where IKN is planned. The article relies on [...] Read more.
In the context of planning and construction of the new capital city of Indonesia, referred to as Ibu Kota Negara (IKN), this article addresses the spatial risks and opportunities of rainwater resources in the area where IKN is planned. The article relies on an inventory of various physical data, which were used to derive a flood susceptibility map, as well as rainfall data derived from public and open sources. The geospatial study drew on geospatial software (ArcGIS Pro, 2.1.) and the Google Earth Engine platform (GEE). After this analysis, we followed a management design, which took IPCC climate change scenarios into account. The results demonstrated that the southern coast has higher precipitation than the northern coast in the IKN area. To enhance the efficacy of rainwater management planning, a grid is proposed to mitigate the flood risk and to harvest rainwater. Although rainwater varies throughout the IKN area, and may vary even more with different climate change predictions, it is possible to capture rainwater and create a system to reduce reliance on traditional water sources, alleviate stormwater runoff and mitigate the impact of urban flooding. While IKN will be developed by both regulated planning and other population-driven developments, monitoring and reflecting on existing plans will still be necessary to make IKN sufficiently resilient and sustainable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 3685 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Waste Application on the Reclamation and Biological Life of Degraded Soils
by Marta Bik-Małodzińska
Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 8126; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188126 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1188
Abstract
This work concerns the assessment of soil reclamation and its impact on biological life in areas destroyed by the sulfur industry in Jeziórko. Sulfur extraction using the borehole method causes enormous destruction to the soil environment. Among the many forms of degradation, the [...] Read more.
This work concerns the assessment of soil reclamation and its impact on biological life in areas destroyed by the sulfur industry in Jeziórko. Sulfur extraction using the borehole method causes enormous destruction to the soil environment. Among the many forms of degradation, the most pronounced are the chemical transformations of the environment and the disturbances in water relations in large areas, which could theoretically impact areas not within the direct range of the mining plant. This work aimed to assess the condition of biological life in soil reclaimed with waste in areas devastated by the sulfur industry in Jeziórko. The reclamation of these soils was difficult but necessary due to the complete disappearance of biological life. Appropriate actions were taken to restore and improve the properties of the soil, which resulted in an improvement in their production capacity. Reclamation was carried out, among other techniques, by deacidifying the soil using post-flotation lime and fertilizing the soil with municipal sewage sludge and post-use mineral wool. Studies have shown an improvement in many soil properties, such as its physical, water, chemical, and biological properties. The implemented reclamation methods significantly influenced, among other things, the density and water properties of the degraded soil. The soil reclaimed with mineral wool and sewage sludge recorded the highest density and water capacity. Applying mineral wool to the degraded soil influenced the changes in the analyzed physical and water properties. The obtained research results also show the beneficial effect of mineral wool and sewage sludge on the increase in organic carbon content. In the soil treated with these substances, the organic carbon content ranged from 13.60 g·kg−1 to 14.30 g·kg−1. It is shown that reclamation has had a considerable impact on and is essential for biological life in Jeziórko. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 3083 KiB  
Article
Carbon Accounting for Permeable Pavement Based on the Full Life Cycle Approach and Its Application
by Lu Wang, Zhiyuan Shao, Xurui Zhang and Yafei Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7293; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177293 - 24 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1206
Abstract
Conventional pavement in aging communities requires renovation in alignment with global carbon reduction initiatives. This study, centered on upgrading facilities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and the Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), utilized the Energy Expert platform to assess the carbon footprint of permeable [...] Read more.
Conventional pavement in aging communities requires renovation in alignment with global carbon reduction initiatives. This study, centered on upgrading facilities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and the Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), utilized the Energy Expert platform to assess the carbon footprint of permeable pavement using life cycle assessment (LCA). The results revealed that the total carbon emission of the 64,065 m2 permeable pavement was 7066.21 tCO2eq. The carbon emission contribution, from highest to lowest, was the production phase, maintenance phase, end-of-life phase, and construction phase. Notably, transportation alone constituted a substantial portion, amounting to 30.15% of total carbon emissions. Compared to traditional pavements, permeable pavement showcased substantial potential for carbon reduction, primarily during the use phase, by enhancing groundwater recharge and mitigating the urban heat island effect, which is critical in reducing the carbon footprint. The estimated total carbon reduction was 853.10 tCO2eq. Sensitivity analysis highlighted diesel energy use in the maintenance phase (51.20%), transportation of cement raw materials in the production phase (45.80%), and transportation of graded gravel for disposal in the end-of-life phase (3.00%) as key factors. Our findings suggest that adopting specific carbon reduction measures, such as substituting gangue for cement binder, transitioning to manual sweeping, and recycling all discarded materials can achieve notable reductions in the respective phases. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of permeable pavement in reducing carbon emissions, providing insights for the renovation of aging communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 7862 KiB  
Article
The Synergistic Structure and Potential Development for Sustainable Ecosystem Services in Urban Areas along the Grand Canal: A Case Study of the Wuxi Segment
by Zhi Yue, Yuting Hua, Yue He, Di Yao, Liya Wang and Xin Tong
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4734; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114734 - 2 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094
Abstract
The Grand Canal possesses a unique ecosystem as one of the world cultural heritage sites. However, its ecological roles and services have been underemphasized in heritage conservation efforts, leading to environmental pollution and the degradation of its heritage value, especially in the highly [...] Read more.
The Grand Canal possesses a unique ecosystem as one of the world cultural heritage sites. However, its ecological roles and services have been underemphasized in heritage conservation efforts, leading to environmental pollution and the degradation of its heritage value, especially in the highly urbanized southern Jiangsu section downstream. This study examines the synergy between regulating ecosystem services (RESs) and cultural ecosystem services (CESs) along the highly urbanized Wuxi section of the Grand Canal, as well as the environmental drivers influencing this relationship. The findings reveal that the synergy between CESs and RESs does not occur at the urban–rural interface but rather in areas 4-6 km away from the Central Business District (CBD). Certain drivers, such as floor area ratio (FAR) and plot ratio (PR), enhance both RES and CES within specific sections. Beyond riparian green belts, various low-density, dispersed, and well-vegetated lands could serve as significant contributors to future ecosystem service (ES) synergy. These conclusions further elucidate the spatial distribution of the heritage cultural services and other ES synergy along the Grand Canal, providing scientific support for broader improvements guiding the sustainable co-development in similar urbanized areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecosystem Services and Urban Sustainability, 2nd Edition)
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