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This article aims to provide the information required to identify C. arecae and the potential impacts of infestation in conservation collections. Outlined are species introduction, rate of spread, host range and effects on plant growth, as well as suggested actions in the event of live infestation and measures for preventing entry and establishment. Being an emergent pest, published research and accounts are limited; this article pulls together the available sources to build a clearer, yet ultimately incomplete picture. Transparency amongst conservation collection holders is key to addressing knowledge gaps, facilitating continuation of their vital work whilst effectively mitigating risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, an evergreen shrub and small tree in the Phyllanthaceae family, holds significant potential in garden landscaping and pharmacological applications. However, the lack of genomic data has hindered further scientific understanding of its horticultural and medicinal values. In this study, we have assembled a haplotype-resolved genome of F. virosa for the first time. The two haploid genomes, named haplotype A genome and haplotype B genome, are 487.33 Mb and 477.53 Mb in size, respectively, with contig N50 lengths of 31.45 Mb and 32.81 Mb. More than 99% of the assembled sequences were anchored to 13 pairs of pseudo-chromosomes. Furthermore, 21,587 and 21,533 protein-coding genes were predicted in haplotype A and haplotype B genomes, respectively. The availability of this chromosome-level genome fills the gap in genomic data for F. virosa and provides valuable resources for molecular studies of this species, supporting future research on speciation, functional genomics, and comparative genomics within the Phyllanthaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prey-predator interactions are fundamental to ecosystem balance, with predators regulating prey populations. Yet, the degree of this interaction varies, depending on the conditions and structure of the ecosystem. We investigated the influence of leaf herbivory, predator types, and levels of urbanisation on the predation risk of artificial caterpillar prey within an urban-agricultural landscape in southcentral Mindanao, Philippines. Four hundred and seventy-three (31.53%) of the 1500 artificial caterpillars exposed in the field were predated. While there was a significant difference in the predation frequency of caterpillar prey between herbivory treatments, our generalised linear mixed model showed a marginal influence on predation risk, but predator type and local landscape showed significant and relatively higher effects. Arthropods were the most significant predators followed by mammals, birds, and reptiles. Furthermore, an increasing proportion of urban developed areas was associated with a decreased risk of predation in artificial caterpillar models. This study implies that regardless of the specific foraging locations chosen by the arthropod prey, predators are likely to prey on available prey in urban and agricultural landscape environments. Our study provides additional evidence that urbanisation can reduce prey-predator interactions. Considering our findings, we suggest that increasing tree cover and green spaces may effectively improve prey-predator interactions in urbanised areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Garden Visit: Jardín Botánico Histórico de la Concepcion" describes the Jardin Botanico Historico de la Concepcion in Malaga, Spain. The garden is a well-preserved subtropical landscape garden and an Asset of Cultural Interest. It houses over 50,000 plants, including 3,000 tropical, subtropical, endemic, and agricultural species from around the world. The article highlights the beauty, history, and tranquility of the garden, as well as its main attractions such as the Victoria cruziana pond and the hardy waterlily collection. The author recommends visiting the garden for a peaceful and immersive experience with nature and history. [Extracted from the article]

Gardens not only provide people with a place for leisure and relaxation, they also contribute to improving urban ecological environments and promoting social interactions and cohesion. Additionally, from a psychological perspective, gardens play a role in alleviating stress, enhancing happiness, and improving the quality of life. Current research on gardens has primarily employed methods such as questionnaire surveys, environmental psychology analyses, and eye-tracking analyses; however, comprehensive studies on the relationships between multiple factors and levels in garden designs are lacking. Here, we propose a response surface analysis approach based on eye-tracking technology for the design and optimization of gardens. Firstly, the impacts of different garden elements on visitors' psychology and fixation counts were analyzed using environmental psychology and eye-tracking analyses. Subsequently, the optimal range of each garden feature was determined through single-factor experiments, followed by response surface analysis to obtain the optimal value for each element. The results revealed that changes in garden elements such as the greenery ratio, number of buildings, and water saturation significantly affected visitors' psychology. The greenery ratio had a greater impact than the number of buildings, which in turn had a greater impact than water saturation. This study is the first to analyze the relationships between multiple garden elements. A strong relationship was found between the greenery ratio and the number of buildings, as well as between the number of buildings and water saturation, while the relationship between the greenery ratio and water saturation was weaker. This approach can not only optimize garden designs but can also be widely applied in fields such as urban planning and public space transformation to enhance visitors' comfort and satisfaction with the environment and promote sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of South Architecture / Nanfang Jianzhu is the property of South Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The latest experiment on mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) materialized during the spring of 2023 in the laboratories of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Iraq. The study aimed to improve mung bean seed germination under water-stress conditions. It employed a completely randomized design (CRD) by organizing two factors with three replications. The first factor included water-stress treatments by adding Polyethylene glycol solution (PEG 6000) to the mung bean seeds, with three levels (0, -8, and -12 bar). The second factor included seed soaking for 24 h in three different concentrations of gibberellin acid (0, 125, and 250 mg L -1 ). The results revealed that water stress significantly affected the properties of mung bean seedlings. The -8 bar water stress reduced the average seed germination ratio of mung bean (85.89%), root and plumule lengths (2.84 and 3.50 cm), seedling dry weight (0.010 mg), and strength (551.96). The gibberellin concentration of 250 mg L -1 showed superiority in all traits. The interaction of stress treatments significantly affected the studied traits. The mung bean seed achieved a germination percentage of 100% when exposed to G3 treatment (250 ppm) compared with the treatment PEG-0, giving the lowest mean (93.67%). Therefore, the study concluded that gibberellin could better help in mung bean seed germination under drought conditions and increase the number of seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture is the property of Journal of Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Accurate information on wildlife occurrence in anthropogenic landscapes is essential to develop effective conservation measures. Monitoring multiple mammal species in heterogeneous landscapes can be challenging because of the diversity of land‐uses and species behaviors. Therefore, different monitoring methods are better adapted to different contexts. We compared data obtained from camera traps with data gathered through an online survey to document the presence of mammal species in mosaic landscapes of the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve in South Africa. The survey detected the same 15 species as the camera traps as well as the additional common duiker. Both methods effectively detected most large mammal species, whereas results were less consistent for smaller species and carnivores. Combining the two methods enabled us to produce more robust estimates of species absence and confirm species presence reported by survey respondents. In less disturbed areas, respondents with good ecological knowledge were effective at monitoring mammal species, while extending the spatial coverage of the study. Bearing in mind the limitations of each method, camera traps and an online survey could complement each other if combined. Together, they can provide a more comprehensive understanding of mammal communities in anthropogenic landscapes, increasing both spatial coverage and the number of species sightings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological pest control relies on interactions between herbivores and their natural enemies. Maintaining this ecosystem service requires considering herbivore and natural enemy interactions and their response to anthropogenic change at multiple scales. In this study, we used ecological networks to quantify the network structure of interactions between herbivorous insects and their parasitoids. We examined how herbivore host abundance, parasitism rates, and shifts in network structure relate to changes in local habitat management and landscape context. We sampled herbivores and parasitoids in Brassica oleracea plants at 22 urban gardens in the Central Coast of California. At each site, we measured local management characteristics (e.g., vegetation, ground cover, canopy cover) and quantified surrounding landscape composition (e.g., urban, natural, open, and agricultural cover). For the eight sites with large enough networks, we calculated three network structure metrics (interaction richness, vulnerability, and functional complementarity). We then used generalized linear and mixed models to examine relationships between herbivore host abundance, parasitism rates, garden management and landscape characteristics, and network metrics. We found that both local management and landscape composition influenced parasitism, while only local factors affected host abundance and network structure. Higher network interaction richness was marginally associated with enhanced parasitism rates for two host species and lower parasitism rates for one host species. Our results suggest that local garden management decisions may shift the structure of host–parasitoid networks, which may subsequently affect host parasitism rates, but outcomes for biological pest control will likely vary across host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover image: Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus) feeding on the lawn of Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. New research combines camera trap data and local ecological knowledge to investigate the occurrence of wild mammal species in anthropogenic landscapes of the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve, and the link with their life‐history traits. (pp. 2470‐2482).Photo: © Alice Bernard.. [Extracted from the article]

The objective of this study is to explore how classical gardening techniques can be adapted into effective physical workouts, particularly in constrained spaces, promoting health and wellness through active participation in gardening. By using the example of "Jiangjun pear" packaging design from Dawu County--an old revolutionary base area--this research extends to how landscape gardening not only serves aesthetic and cultural purposes but can also be transformed into a series of physical activities that benefit health. This involves examining key elements of landscape geometry to design gardening activities that serve dual purposes: enhancing cultural heritage and providing a moderate to vigorous physical workout. This study introduces a methodology that encompasses penetration, transformation, integration, innovation, and evaluation to embed these gardening techniques into a workout regimen. The focus is on converting the motions and efforts involved in traditional gardening, such as digging, planting, and pruning, into structured physical exercises that improve fitness levels and can be performed in small or restricted areas. The conversion of these gardening actions into systematic workouts aims to offer a beneficial reference for both the agricultural and health industries, enhancing the user experience by promoting both cultural appreciation and physical health. Furthermore, this research demonstrates the practical applicability of these adapted gardening techniques through a lively, culturally rich three-dimensional model of garden-based workouts. The design logic and theoretical framework developed here aim to foster a deeper understanding of how everyday activities like gardening can be innovatively rethought as comprehensive, health-promoting exercises. This approach not only broadens the innovative path of integrating cultural and physical activities but also supports the revitalization of rural areas by promoting both the physical health of individuals and the cultural heritage associated with agricultural practices. The final outcome seeks to enhance the market brand competitiveness of agricultural products while significantly contributing to the field of health and wellness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent strides in the exploration of gardens within formal, functional, and symbolic dimensions, the link between gardens and warfare remains an overlooked facet in the realm of garden and landscape history. The present study aims to illuminate the role that gardens assumed during times of conflict. Drawing from primary historical accounts, this research delves into the gardens of both the Byzantine and Eastern Islamic realms through a military lens, conceiving gardens as encampments, battlefields, providers of sustenance, sources of war materiel, and means of defending cities. The findings of this study reveal that both Byzantine and Islamic gardens undertook multifaceted military functions by serving as strategic positioning grounds for the armed forces and meeting their edible needs, particularly during sieges. However, it appears that gardens in Greater Iran and Transoxiana were much more profoundly connected to wars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of gardening and landscaping has historically been a male monopoly, and until the 20th century, women could not get anywhere near a career in these fields. This brief review focuses on some of the women who paved the way in Europe and the USA. It also attempts to tell some lesser-known stories, focusing on those who turned to gardening and landscaping, subjects that have been much less explored in floriculture. This review does not claim to be exhaustive, although it does attempt to draw attention to a historical period between the Victorian age and the present day. Women's significant contributions range from dissemination to teaching, research, education, association and popularization of gardening and landscaping. In this paper, we briefly discuss, in the 21st century, men and women who may have similarities in education and work experience, but these similarities do not lead to comparable careers or positions in academic departments. Some scientific studies that have an impact on the design and sustainable management of green spaces linked to ecosystem services are considered. Finally, the contribution of women in landscape architecture is briefly examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global urbanisation and anthropogenic activities are leading to a decline in religious beliefs and adversely affecting the biodiversity, ecology, and environmental sustainability of sacred groves, particularly in Lonavala (Rye Wood Park) and Karla Grove in Maval Tehsil, Pune district, Maharashtra, India. The Lonavala Grove, situated at 18.749° N, 73.403° E, and 622 m, and the Karla Grove, located at 18.760° N, 73.478° E, with an elevation of 621 m, both within the Western Ghats, are undergoing transformations due to landscape gardens and urban developments despite their historical significance. Gammie Alexander's 1903 floristic research identified 84 species across both groves, but our present study reveals a significant decline. Lonavala and Karla groves now host 46 genera and 42 species and 25 genera and 29 species, respectively, totaling 120 species from 49 families and 110 genera. This decline is attributed to the introduction of alien and invasive species, resulting in the disappearance of six indigenous species over the past century. The research aims to explore and document changes in floristic diversity, utilising remote sensing methods like NDVI for growth and deterioration assessment, measuring tree and liana girth, and analysing the impact on native flora due to the spread of alien species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undersized fraction from aged municipal solid waste (UFAMSW), as a kind of soil-like material, has been proved effective in providing a large amount of organic matter and nutrients for soil and plants. The characteristics and effectiveness of heavy metal pollution removal in UFAMSW attracted tremendous research interest from scientists recently. In this study, the heavy metal removal efficiencies and bioavailability of washing on contaminated UFAMSW were evaluated with three washing reagents including ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CA), and humic acid (HA). The effects of chelating agent concentration, pH, and washing time on metal removal were investigated and response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the washing conditions. The results indicated that the removal efficiencies of Cu, Zn, and Mn could be 53.68%, 52.12%, and 30.63% by EDTA/HA washing and 42.36%, 39.67% and 28.49% by CA/HA washing, respectively. The European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction was applied to analyze the fraction change of heavy metals in UFAMSW before and after washing, and it was found that chelating agent combined with HA could contribute to the removal of the exchangeable fraction. Physical and chemical properties of UFAMSW were improved to some extent after washing with mixed HA and chelating agent and could achieve the quality standard of landscape gardening soil. Accordingly, the mixture of HA and other chelating agents could be a promising washing process for preparation of landscape gardening soil using UFAMSW. Implications: Our manuscript studies the removal of heavy metals from the contaminated undersized fraction from aged municipal solid waste (UFAMSW). UFAMSW, as a kind of soil-like material, has been proved effective in providing a large amount of organic matter and nutrients for soil and plants however often limited by heavy metal pollution. The UFAMSW used in this experiment was collected after the excavation and screening-sorting of aged refuse from Changshankou Domestic Waste Sanitary Landfill in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, Southern China. This study investigated the effects of EDTA, CA, HA, mixed EDTA/HA, and mixed CA/HA washing on heavy metal removal (Cu, Zn, and Mn), bioavailability of residual heavy metal and properties. The effects of chelating agent concentration, pH, and washing time on metal removal were investigated and then response surface methodology was employed to optimize the washing conditions. The results showed that washing by CA/HA and EDTA/HA, had a higher removal efficiency of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Mn) in UFAMSW compared to single HA. Meanwhile, HA has a higher removal for exchangeable fraction of heavy metals, the exchangeable concentration of Cu, Zn, and Mn in CA/HA and EDTA/HA washed UFAMSW were lower compared with UFAMSW washed by single CA and EDTA. Thus, mixing HA with EDTA or CA makes a less risk to environmental and the removal efficiency is acceptable. Additionally, CA/HA and EDTA/HA washing tend to improve soil physicochemical properties and soil fertility. Thus, mixing HA with different washing agent are potential methods for preparation of landscape gardening soil using UFAMSW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the design and vision of John Claudius Loudon's proposed National Garden in 19th-century London. Loudon aimed to create a botanic garden that would serve as a scientific institution, a living museum, and an educational venue for the public. The garden would feature a spiral pathway with various plant arrangements, symbolizing growth and progress. The article discusses the historical and cultural significance of spirals in different cultures and acknowledges the colonial context in which these gardens were established. It also highlights Loudon's belief in education and his influence on contemporary botanic gardens focused on conservation and understanding plant extinction. [Extracted from the article]

The prevailing study aimed to assess the brassinolide, and moringa leaf extracts? foliar application influence on the growth and mineral content of local lemon transplants, commencing in 2022 in a wooden lath house affiliated with the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq. The experiment's study factors comprised foliar application of growth regulator brassinolide (B0, B1.0, B1.5, and B2.0 mg L-1) and moringa leaf extracts (M0%, M2%, and M4%) on local lemon. Study elements influenced all characteristics, especially foliar spraying of brassinolide (B1.5 mg L-1), significantly enhancing the number of secondary shoots increment and leaves, leaf area, and leaves? nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and total chlorophyll content. The growth regulator brassinolide (B1.0 mg L-1) revealed considerable secondary shoot length increment superiority. On spraying of moringa leaf extracts, moringa extract (M4%) achieved a substantial superiority in all the studied traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article appraises the role of the country garden in the interwar development of Sylvia Townsend Warner's writing and politics. Reading Warner's interrogation of genre and form as an example of the Georgic, it examines her published texts alongside personal papers and garden spaces to demonstrate how she worked to interrogate, and highlight, the social costs of misrepresentative literary landscapes. As she considered what it meant to inhabit a rural country cottage, and then a small country house, as a poet with keenly felt social responsibilities, her texts and gardens provided a way to work through her landscape anxieties. The cultivation of landscape on and off the page informed her development of a radical way of writing about landscape, and the gradual development of a radical politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Military Fish & Wildlife Association (NMFWA) presents a rebuttal to the article by Rabung and Toman (2022) on the management of United States Department of Defense (DoD) Lands. Published literature supports the notion that military training areas are not only managed to comply with environmental laws, regulations, and policies, but also represent flourishing natural areas with diverse ecosystems, high biodiversity, and rare species. The authors dispel Rabung and Toman's assertion that the over 26.9 million acres of military lands are not managed for environmental outcomes and demonstrate how compliance with the Sikes Act and associated laws, policies, and Executive Orders ensure that military lands are managed for discrete environmental outcomes. The authors argue that military land managers intentionally manage for environmental outcomes and outline the comprehensive ecological and conservation extent of Installation Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs). The authors conclude by highlighting DoD's commitment to conservation, as evidenced by its significant expenditures, policies, and breadth of proactive conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a special garden unique to China, the front garden of multi-storey residential buildings has certain public attributes but is managed by a single owner. In this study, the front gardens of multi-storey residential buildings in Jiangsu province, China, were set as research object. Meanwhile, the size of garden, plant type, plant vertical structure, color number, plant coverage, and fence material were chosen as the landscape features to be explored. Then the experiments were conducted to reveal the visual impact assessment rendered by the public with different demographic attributes and the results obtained were analyzed. As is indicated by the statistical analysis, significant differences exist between the owners and the public in their visual impact assessments of the front gardens; the six landscape features are the main factors that influence the public's visual impact assessment; and the public with different demographic attributes would render different visual impact assessments of front gardens. This study offers valuable help for the design of front gardens of multi-storey residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The perception of the landscape as a space for living has led to the formation and development of a special group of anthropogenic landscapes, namely garden and park landscapes, which are characterized by a wide range of functions from utilitarian to aesthetic and spiritual. Currently, approximately 30% of cultural heritage sites are in disrepair, and 80% require serious restoration work. Therefore, the revitalization of the landscape structure of historical garden and park landscapes is an urgent scientific problem and meets two sustainable development goals (goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities and goal 15 - Life on land). The purpose of article. To substantiate the concept of revitalization of regular landscape compositions of the park-monument of landscape gardening art of national importance "Sharivskyi" and to provide a graphic 3D model of architectural, planning and volumetric-spatial solutions of the proposed concept of revitalization of regular compositions of the studied landscape. Research methods. Method of historical analysis: with a focus on the period of the highest embodiment of the artistic compositional intent of the restored space, when the estate belonged to the successful sugar producer Leopold Koenig. The graphic presentation of architectural, planning, and three-dimensional solutions of the proposed revitalization concepts for the studied landscapes was achieved through the use of QGIS 3.28.3-Firenze 2022-08-31, Sketchup, and Realtime Landscaping Architect software tools. Main findings. In order to preserve the original idea and characteristics of the landscape compositions, the concept of revitalization of the White Garden was proposed, which was suggested by the "Genius loci" of the historical landscape of Sharivsky Park. Using the QGIS geographic information system, OSM standard map and Google Satellite Hybrid map, the 3D authentic relief of regular landscape compositions of the Sharivsky Palace and Park Complex was modeled. Using the Sketchup 2020 software tool, a graphical representation of the architectural, planning, and three-dimensional solutions of the studied historical landscape was made. The Sketchup 2020 software tool was also used for the graphic 3D reconstruction of numerous architectural details that adorn the palace, including balustrades, windows, doors, and towers decorated with ornaments. The dendrological plan was developed using species and cultivars of ornamental plants with identified historical and aesthetic value to ensure the continuity of new and preserved plant elements of landscape compositions. Scientific novelty and practical value. The proposed vision of preserving the sustainable features of the place, the selection of plants with identified historical and substantiated aesthetic value can be used in the complex reconstruction of regular garden and park landscapes of the Sharivskyi Park, a monument of landscape gardening art of national importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialized gardens, as integral components of botanical gardens, bear multiple functions, encompassing plant collection and conservation, scientific research, and public education, as well as serving aesthetic and recreational purposes. Their quality profoundly reflects the landscape artistry of botanical gardens, directly influencing the quality of visitors' enjoyment and the overall experience within the botanical garden. This study aims to investigate the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes, effectively assessing the usage patterns of plant landscape spaces and promoting the optimal utilization of underutilized spaces. Taking Hangzhou Botanical Garden as a case study, considering the warming climate and suitable temperatures in spring, when most plants enter the flowering period and outdoor visitor frequency increases, the primary observational period focuses on spring to measure the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes. We obtained data through field measurements and on-site observations. Specifically, We measured and recorded information on plant species, quantity, height, crown width, and growth conditions within the plots. Additionally, we employed ground observations and fixed-point photography to document visitor numbers and activity types. We quantified spatial vitality through four indicators: visitor density, space usage intensity, diversity of age group, and richness of activity type. We explored the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of spatial vitality and investigated the relationship between plant landscape characteristics and spatial vitality using variance analysis and correlation analysis. The results indicate that, in spring, the average spatial vitality index of specialized gardens ranks from highest to lowest as follows: Lingfeng Tanmei (1.403), Rosaceae Garden (1.245), Acer and Rhododendron Garden (0.449), and Osmanthus and Crape Myrtle Garden (0.437). Additionally, the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes in spring is significantly positively correlated with the ornamental period of specialized plants, characteristics of plant viewing, accessible lawn area, spatial accessibility, and spatial enclosure. Therefore, to create vibrant specialized plant landscapes, managers and planners, when engaging in the planning and design of specialized garden plant landscapes, need to fully consider and respect the visual aesthetics and functional needs of visitors. This study will serve as a theoretical reference for subsequent research on the vitality of plant landscape spaces and other small-scale spaces. It will also provide practical guidance for the construction of plant landscapes in specialized gardens within botanical gardens and other urban green spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of the enclosure layout is crucial in establishing a comfortable wind environment in Chinese classic landscape gardens. The Ruins Park of the Old Summer Palace exemplifies the mountain construction techniques used in classical Chinese flat gardens, with a diverse and illustrative spatial layout of the hills. In this study, we focused on the earthen hill space of the Old Palace in the Summer Palace Ruins Park. We compared and analyzed the effects of different enclosure layouts of earthen hill spaces on the summer monsoon wind environment. This was achieved via on-site measurements and simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results show the following: (1) The direction index of the enclosure layout of the earthen hill space affects wind speed, comfort, and ventilation. Increasing the index reduces speed and comfort but improves ventilation. (2) Increasing the density index of the enclosure layout of the earthen hill space leads to a decrease in wind speed and wind comfort and improved ventilation. (3) Conversely, increasing the area index of the enclosure layout of the earthen hill space results in an increase in wind speed, which can result in better wind comfort but can also lead to poor ventilation. Overall, the results suggest that careful consideration should be given to the enclosure layout of landscape gardens to ensure optimal wind conditions within the space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the new distributional data of the ground beetle species Itamus castaneus SchmidtGoebel, 1846 (Carabidae: Paussinae: Ozaenini), which is recorded for the first time from the state of West Bengal from an artificial rooftop garden in an urbanised landscape. Morphometric analysis of the specimen has been conducted and the hitherto unknown female genitalia of the species has been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been documented that patients with mental or physical disabilities can benefit from being placed within the setting of a natural environment. Consequently, the concept of creating spaces that can enhance health preservation or patient recovery, while also augmenting environmental and aesthetic value, has merged as a contemporary discourse. Green areas around hospitals can offer a great opportunity to incorporate healing gardens to benefit their patients and not only. The aim of this paper is to propose a design for a sensory-therapeutic garden based on key principles derived from selected academic literature, focusing on the application of these principles in a healthcare setting in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The design was informed also by onsite data collection and analysis, and it aims to create a healing landscape that addresses the needs of patients, healthcare providers, and visitors. This study seeks to augment the discourse in the field by demonstrating the practical application of key therapeutic garden design principles in a specific context and how these principles impacted the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migrants' home gardens may be created from elements of both old and new landscapes. We assume that medicinal plant assemblages in migrants' gardens are shaped by plant diversity and availability, therapeutic needs, and heritagization processes. Which of the factors prevail: those related to biodiversity and ecology, epidemiology, or heritage and memory? In this paper we offer new knowledge on the garden landscapes of the Global South. The research was conducted in the Atlantic Forest in Argentina. We surveyed 120 home gardens: 60 of transborder Paraguayan migrants, and 60 of transcontinental Europeans who arrived in Misiones, Argentina before WW2 and their descendants. We compared the richness, composition, medicinal uses, and the relationships of garden plants (via plant networks) between these groups, taking into account everyday scales and the transnational scale. Paraguayans cultivated and protected 137 species, predominantly native, and people of European origin 119 spp., native and exotic in similar proportions. The similarity in plant composition (68%) and the consensus in the medicinal use of plants (62%) were high between the migrant groups. Plant network analysis revealed many overlaps in assemblages of plants, but certain particularities of each group remained because of cultural expressions and therapeutic needs. This high level of similarity suggests that plant diversity, both native and allochthonous, shared concepts of illness, and the flux of knowledge between these groups was more significant than heritagization practices in shaping home gardens' medicinal plant assemblages. People of Paraguayan and European origins do not make an active effort to convert their home gardens into heritage. Medicinal plants are connected to the lived emplacement--intimate daily practices--rather than to ethnic identity strategies. Nevertheless, the plant assemblages in gardens have been shaped by ecology, colonial legacy, nostalgia, and transfer of knowledge; therefore migrants' home gardens can be considered heritage in a broad sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rose flowers have been cultivated for their fragrance and their garden value since ancient times. Very ancient cultivars became famous locally for their specific use, and competitive horticultural activities progressively established, leading, with time, to landraces with limited polymorphism. The most famous examples are the oil-bearing Damask roses from Iran and the Yueyue Fen garden strain from China. In 1817, a new rose, allegedly a hybrid from the two previous lineages, was discovered at Reunion. From this plant, as early as the 1820s, a new founder group, the Bourbon roses, was developed in France, which immediately stirred up deep passions among botanists and skilled enthusiasts. Today, more than 30,000 named cultivars have been raised either as garden and landscape plants for the cut rose market or as indoor pot plants. The market handles billions of euros a year, making the rose the most economically important crop worldwide. Following the inheritance of SSR DNA markers, we here propose a reconstitution of the very early lineage of Bourbon roses, clarifying one of the major steps, if not the major one, that links these very ancient heritage roses to modern roses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a systematic data base search this paper provides a comprehensive survey of empirical research on garden visitor experiences, arguing that prevalent studies in garden tourism, psychology and education shed little light on the esthetic experience of gardens as cultural artifacts. Gibson's transdisciplinary concept of 'affordance' is therefore used to reinterpret findings from the social sciences in light of landscape design and cultural analysis. The paper addresses how horticultural designs afford visitors to move through landscapes, to perceive and sense plant displays and to create meaning through bodily engagement. It furthermore shows, how media technologies such as mobile guides afford visitors to engage the garden through their specific material and operational design. As a result, the paper introduces a transdisciplinary model of the garden visitor experience that integrates bodily perception and conceptual understanding. Accordingly, the deliberate design of interpretative media is identified as a key agenda for visitor engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]