Importance of closed landfills as green space in urbanized areas: ecological assessment using carabid beetles

Abstract

In a closed landfill, we investigated the diversity and ecological characters of carabid beetles to understand the ecological importance of closed landfills that have the potential as a multi-functional habitat for improving biodiversity in urbanized areas. In addition, we studied the influence of environmental factors (vegetation structure, soil) on distribution and diversity of carabid beetles. A total of 92,495 individuals representing 15 carabid species were collected from the closed landfill. Although the species richness of carabid beetles recorded in the closed landfill was not higher than the other green spaces in the city, the closed landfill could sufficiently provides a stable habitat as a semi-natural area for carabid beetles. Soil pH, Na, and tall grass plant cover influenced carabid assemblage in the closed landfill. However, other environmental variables (e.g., K? , Na ? , Mg 2? , bare land cover, weedy cover, and tree cover) were not correlated with carabid species composition. It is implied that in the closed landfill, which is a highly modified engineered environment, other abiotic environmental (e.g., drainage, soil texture, leachate, and landscape context, etc.) and biotic factors (e.g., intra-and interspecific competition) may have affected carabid assemblage. Although artificial drainages are essential facilities for landfill management, they are a critical factor that affects the species inhabiting the landfill. However, carabid beetles seemed to randomly fall into the artificial drainage. For successful management of closed landfills, it is very important that minimize the intervention and that develop the ecological sensitively management method.

Ecological Performance of the Restored South East New Territories (SENT) Landfill in Hong Kong (2000–2012)

“…A study that focused on ant assemblages in three rehabilitated landfills (closed for 11–26 years) in Hong Kong showed significant difference ( P < 0·05) between landfill site and reference sites (So & Chu, ). Another study indicated that the engineered landfill environment affected the carabid beetle composition due to the beetles randomly falling into the artificial drainage (Do et al ., ). However, no significant differences among the sites were observed in the present study.…”

“…Restoration of closed landfills is essential to minimize the adverse effects on the environment, and render the landfills safe for further use. Restored landfills can serve as habitats to improve biodiversity in urbanized areas (Do et al ., ); however, post‐closure care must be exerted to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment (Laner et al ., ). The South East New Territories (SENT) landfill is one of the three strategic landfills still in operation in Hong Kong.…”

Influence of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill on the Surrounding Environment: Landfill Vegetation as a Potential Risk of Allergenic Pollen

“…Recovery of impaired ecosystems in landfill sites needs a sensitive and correct approach. In urbanized areas, such restored localities can serve as sites for the enhancement of biological diversity [6][7][8]. During the reclamation of landfill body surface, arable land is as a rule grassed to prevent water or wind erosion of its slopes.…”

Thermal Comfort Characteristic of 5 Patterns of a Persian Garden in a Hot-Arid Climate of Shiraz, Iran

“…Green infrastructures in cities like urban parks and gardens have a significant role in mitigating UHI and developing the thermal comfort in both mental and physical conditions (Tsilini et al, 2015;La Rosa et al, 2013;Orsini et al, 2014;Müller & Morimoto, 2016). The urban microclimate is affected by numerous factors such as geometry, water and humidity, vegetation, and thermal features of surfaces (Balafoutis et al, 1998;Setaih et al, 2013;Do et al, 2014). Persian traditional gardens in hot and arid climate of Iran make a comfortable thermal environment.…”