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Ornamental grasses are often used in gardens to improve biodiversity and as additional aesthetical resources. However, their use in green roofs (GR) and living walls (LW) is not so widespread and it has not been studied extensively. The aim of this work is to assess the performance of seven grass species (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’, Acorus gramineus, Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Fails’, Carex flagellifera ‘Bronzita’, Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’, Uncinia rubra ‘Everflame’ and Miscanthus sinensis) for their use in GR and LW. The growth of the plants was evaluated (i.e. biomass production, dimensions), as well as their visual quality and survival. C. flagellifera and C. oshimensis showed coverage levels greater than 75% and good visual quality, while A. gramineus reached 55–60%. I. cylindrica and M. sinensis showed coverages slightly below 50% in the LW, however, both performed well in the GR, though with a lower visual quality. U. rubra did not develop well, reaching the lowest coverage (below 45%) but maintaining a high visual quality. S. tenuissima also attained low coverage in the LW and presented high mortality, especially in the GR. In LW, C. oshimensis stood out in flowering, while S. tenuissima showed the highest flowering rate in GR. The species should be selected considering their characteristics and performance in order to achieve a correct appearance and development. Interspecific interactions are especially important in LW, as species with upward growth should be placed above species with fallen leaves, not below.

Currently, the population spends most of the time in indoor environments, which makes Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) very important for health and comfort. As vegetation can act as a biofilter capturing air pollutants, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of a living wall module in the removal of the Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) for IAQ improvement. An airtight glass chamber was used to release contaminants, monitoring the TVOCs both with the chamber empty (control) and with a small Fytotextile® living wall module planted with Nephrolepis exaltata L. A substantial reduction of TVOCs was observed when the living wall was inside the chamber. In few hours, TVOCs levels were reduced below the recommended limit (following Spanish regulations). More tests are recommended considering different plant species and other variables related to the IAQ.

Cities have grown throughout the Andes and we know little about the ecology of those species that tolerate them, limiting our options to do conservation. We applied optimal foraging theory to examine the behavior of the Andean White-eared Opossum (Didelphis pernigra), in a suburban area in Bogotá, Colombia. We used the giving-up density technique, which uses the amount of food left in a feeding patch, to evaluate whether the opossum’s foraging costs were affected by the height of food from the ground, and the quality and quantity of food. We also evaluated whether the spatial heterogeneity of the study site affected the opossum’s foraging. We used an artificial feeding patch to test these ideas. When food was either concentrated and, in less amount, (concentrated food) or diluted and more amount (diluted food), the opossums preferred to forage at 2 m than at 0.5 m, but concentrated food at 0.5 m was not significantly different from diluted food at 2 m. The opossums’ habitat use was affected by the spatial heterogeneity at the study site and animals preferred foraging along metal fences than on live fences made of trees. When a cable allowed connection between the metallic and live fences, the value of food patches at the live fence appeared to increase. Thus, although the opossums need resources associated with natural environments, our results suggest that there are human modifications that can benefit them, such as those that reduce the risk of predation and favor their mobility in suburban environments.

This study evaluates the differences between people who visit urban green spaces according to the type of accompaniment and whether it determines the visit, appreciation of green spaces and physica...

Poor indoor quality affects people’s health and well-being. Phytoremediation is one way in which this problem can be tackled, with living walls being a viable option for places with limited space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of five plant species in a living wall to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and to identify whether the type of pollutant has any influence. An enclosed chamber was used to add the contaminants n-hexane and formaldehyde independently. Total VOCs were measured for three days in two scenarios: (1) empty chamber, and (2) chamber with living wall. Five living walls were prepared, each with three plants of the same species: Spathiphyllum wallisii, Philodendron hederaceum, Ficus pumila, Tradescantia pallida, and Chlorophytum comosum. There was no correlation between leaf area/fresh weight/dry weight and the contaminant reduction. In general, all five species were more efficient in reducing TVOCs when exposed to formaldehyde than to n-hexane. Chlorophytum comosum was the most efficient species in reducing the concentration of TVOCs for both contaminants, Spathiphyllum wallisii being the least efficient by far.

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system combining hydroponics and aquaculture. Although the domestic/small-scale aquaponic production has proliferated worldwide, there is scarce knowledge about how it is performed. The objective of this study was to determine the profile and motivations of aquaponic producers, the characteristics of the facilities and the performance of the production. The average aquaponic producer is a middle-aged man, with a certain level of studies and a moderate household income. The main motivations reported were the production of high-quality, healthy food, the concern for the environment and the autonomy gained. These motivations conditioned the purposes of the aquaponic facilities (mainly education, production of food for self-consumption and as a hobby), which, excepting small sales, did not have an economic motive. Due to their characteristics, aquaponic facilities are particularly adapted for urban agriculture (many of them were located on rooftops) and most of those studied were constructed recently. The nutrient film technique was the most used hydroponic subsystem, followed by media beds, where mostly a polyculture of leaf and fruit vegetables and aromatics are produced. Tilapia was the most common fish species used. In general, there is a lack of proper knowledge and expertise about these complex systems in order to efficiently operate them.

Waterborne diseases pose a significant risk in hydroponic crops, especially those caused by some species such as Fusarium, Pythium and Phytophthora. However, there is evidence of an increase in suppressiveness when using aquaculture effluents, as is the case with aquaponic systems. In this work, the incidence of diseases in hydroponic and aquaponic systems inside a greenhouse located in Seville (Spain) has been compared for two pathosystems: strawberry - Phytophthora cactorum - and tomato - Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol). The results obtained show greater suppressiveness in early stages against P. cactorum in aquaponic systems. On the contrary, the suppressivity against Fol was higher in the hydroponic systems, although in this case a significant influence of the nutritional status of the plants was observed. This negatively affected the aquaponic systems. These findings open an interesting line for the use of biological control agents (BCA) from aquaponic systems for the control of plant diseases in hydroponic systems, avoiding the use of pesticides. This can have a negative effect on the health of consumers and the environment.

Although a large body of research supports the theory that exposure to nature results in mental health benefits, research evidence on the effects of having a view of green space from home is still scarce. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact that access to a green space view from home has on anxiety and depression. This is a cross-sectional study extracting data from the &ldquo, 2018 Green Spaces, Daily Habits and Urban Health Survey&rdquo, conducted in Carmona (Spain). The study included variables on sociodemographic and lifestyle, view of green spaces from home, self-perceived health status, and risk of anxiety and depression measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Chi-square tests were used to assess variable&rsquo, s associations and a multiple linear regression models used to identify the variables explaining the risk of anxiety and depression, taking into account sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of visits and view of green spaces from home. According to our results, adults who enjoy a view of green spaces from home have a lower risk of anxiety and depression.

Aquaponic systems combine fish (aquaculture) and plant production (hydroponics), mimicking a complex ecosystem. Though aquaponic facilities can be built for commercial purposes, the self-consumption perspective is also important. There is a gap in studies that evaluate the use of a large number of plant species produced in aquaponic systems for self-consumption. The objective of this study was assessing the aquaponic production of a polyculture of different vegetables, herbs and fruits together with tilapia, with a self-consumption purpose, during a whole year in a marginal neighbourhood of the city of Seville (Spain), taking into account the climatic limitations during summer and winter. Two alternatives to reduce energy consumption in winter were also tested. This work provides an exhaustive description of the operation and management of two self-constructed Micro-Scale Aquaponic Systems (4.56 m2 of cropping area and a 1 m3 fish tank) based on FAO models. In them, 62 kg of tilapia and 352 kg of 22 different vegetables and fruits were produced during a year. This study proved that a micro-scale aquaponic facility can provide enough fruits, vegetables and fish for a complete family of four members throughout the year.

Aquaponics is a productive system in which the production of vegetables and fish is synergistically combined within a circular economy framework. Although these systems have been in development for more than 50 years, the presence of aquaponic products in the markets is still very limited. Previous studies have been carried out trying to characterise consumers, although none was focused on Spain and Latin America. In this work, 636 responses have been obtained to a survey with 27 questions, which has enabled characterising the preferences of potential consumers and their willingness to pay higher prices for aquaponic products. Nearly 60% of the respondents knew what aquaponic was and this knowledge was influenced by the academic level and the concern for the environment. Most participants considered aquaponics as a very interesting food production system. They were mainly motivated to consume aquaponic products due to their quality and taste and to the absence of pesticides or chemical residues. A remarkable influence of the household income, concern for the environment and, mostly, prior knowledge about aquaponics was found concerning the willingness to pay higher prices. Therefore, advertising campaigns providing specific information on this type of food production would be advisable to increase its degree of acceptance.

This paper examines the relation between visitor behaviour and certain features of a number of major green spaces in the city of Granada, south-eastern Spain, focussing on key urban, ecological and landscape-related issues. Information on user profiles and numbers, the various uses made of these areas, their design, plant species richness and local urban and sociological background, was collected by means of in situ observation in a total of ten urban green spaces with surface areas of over 5000 m2. Findings indicated that these spaces were used largely for purposes directly related to well-being: recreational and sporting activities, socialising, or simply relaxing. Interestingly, the most common activities in each space were governed by features intrinsic to the space itself: accessibility, design, maintenance and plant richness and distribution, all of which affected the health-related attributes and aesthetic value of the space. The study also highlighted a number of serious deficiencies in certain green spaces, which will need to be addressed in future action plans and replanning projects as an essential step in ensuring that they meet the real needs and expectations of the target population. The information provided by this research may prove particularly valuable for improving the systemic functions of green spaces in Mediterranean cities sharing similar bioclimatic and sociological features, and for ensuring that they fulfil the role assigned to green spaces in sustainable cities.