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Tze Kwan Fung
Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore-ETH Centre, ETH Zurich, Singapore, Singapore

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Article
Published: 20 May 2021 in Urban Ecosystems
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Healthy soil ecosystems are important for urban sustainability, because they provide the basis for ecosystem services such as flood regulation, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. We investigated the soils beneath five types of urban land cover in the tropical city of Singapore—secondary forest, managed grass, shrubs, trees, and trees with shrubs. We quantified the capacity of these soils to support two key ecosystem functions: litter decomposition, which we measured using a standardised tea bag method, and infiltration, which we measured using a double ring infiltrometer. Soil samples (0–20 cm depth) were collected from 120 sites and were analysed for 15 soil and vegetation properties including pH, soil organic matter content, particle size, bulk density and soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The forest sites had significantly higher leaf litter cover and canopy leaf area index than the other land cover types. Rates of litter decomposition and infiltration were highest in secondary forest, followed by trees with shrubs, and lowest in grass. Litter decomposition rates were positively related to soils with presence of soil invertebrate activity, leaf litter cover and soil nitrogen content. Infiltration rates were negatively related to soil bulk density. To optimise the delivery of soil ecosystem services in tropical cities, city managers and planners should protect any remaining fragments of forest, allow natural succession to occur, plant multi-layered vegetation with trees and shrubs, and restore urban soil by improving soil nutrients, reducing bulk density, and leaving leaf litter in situ.

ACS Style

Tze Kwan Fung; Daniel R. Richards; Rachel A. T. Leong; Subhadip Ghosh; Christabel W. J. Tan; Zuzana Drillet; Kit Ling Leong; Peter J. Edwards. Litter decomposition and infiltration capacities in soils of different tropical urban land covers. Urban Ecosystems 2021, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Tze Kwan Fung, Daniel R. Richards, Rachel A. T. Leong, Subhadip Ghosh, Christabel W. J. Tan, Zuzana Drillet, Kit Ling Leong, Peter J. Edwards. Litter decomposition and infiltration capacities in soils of different tropical urban land covers. Urban Ecosystems. 2021; ():1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tze Kwan Fung; Daniel R. Richards; Rachel A. T. Leong; Subhadip Ghosh; Christabel W. J. Tan; Zuzana Drillet; Kit Ling Leong; Peter J. Edwards. 2021. "Litter decomposition and infiltration capacities in soils of different tropical urban land covers." Urban Ecosystems , no. : 1-14.

Accepted manuscript
Published: 18 February 2021 in Environmental Research Letters
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The climate mitigation potential of urban nature-based solutions is often perceived as insignificant and thus overlooked, as cities primarily pursue nature-based solutions for local ecosystem services. Given the rising interest and capacities in cities for such projects, the potential of urban forests for climate mitigation needs to be better understood. We modelled the global potential and limits of urban reforestation worldwide, and find that 10.9 ± 2.8 Mha of land (17.6% of all city areas) are suitable for reforestation, which would offset 82.4 ± 25.7 MtCO2e y-1 of carbon emissions. Among the cities analysed, 1,189 are potentially able to offset >25% of their city carbon emissions through reforestation. Urban natural climate solutions should find a place on global and local agendas.

ACS Style

Hoong Chen Teo; Yiwen Zeng; Tasya Vadya Sarira; Tze Kwan Fung; Qiming Zheng; Xiao Ping Song; Kwek Yan Chong; Lian Pin Koh. Global urban reforestation can be an important natural climate solution. Environmental Research Letters 2021, 16, 034059 .

AMA Style

Hoong Chen Teo, Yiwen Zeng, Tasya Vadya Sarira, Tze Kwan Fung, Qiming Zheng, Xiao Ping Song, Kwek Yan Chong, Lian Pin Koh. Global urban reforestation can be an important natural climate solution. Environmental Research Letters. 2021; 16 (3):034059.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hoong Chen Teo; Yiwen Zeng; Tasya Vadya Sarira; Tze Kwan Fung; Qiming Zheng; Xiao Ping Song; Kwek Yan Chong; Lian Pin Koh. 2021. "Global urban reforestation can be an important natural climate solution." Environmental Research Letters 16, no. 3: 034059.

Journal article
Published: 05 November 2020 in Ecosystem Services
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Birds are among the most visible and charismatic forms of urban biodiversity. Urban birds provide important ecosystem services but are also associated with some disservices. How urban residents perceive these services and disservices, and the factors shaping these perceptions, are not well understood. We studied how awareness of birds in the landscape, knowledge of bird species, and nature relatedness influence these perceptions. For this purpose, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 1000 Singapore residents. We used structural equation modeling to explore relationships between socio-demographics and past nature-related experiences on bird awareness, bird knowledge and nature relatedness, and to understand how these personal factors affect perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices. Despite their mainly low awareness and knowledge of birds, respondents were generally positive in their responses and expressed few concerns regarding disservices. Perceptions of regulation and maintenance services were positively related to bird knowledge. Perceptions of cultural services were positively influenced by bird awareness and nature relatedness, and stronger nature relatedness was important for decreasing associations with bird disservices. Successful implementation of ecosystem services management should firstly understand citizens’ perceptions, and include efforts to increase bird knowledge and awareness through activities such as public education and outreach campaigns.

ACS Style

Rachel A.T. Leong; Tze Kwan Fung; Uma Sachidhanandam; Zuzana Drillet; Peter J. Edwards; Daniel R. Richards. Use of structural equation modeling to explore influences on perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices attributed to birds in Singapore. Ecosystem Services 2020, 46, 101211 .

AMA Style

Rachel A.T. Leong, Tze Kwan Fung, Uma Sachidhanandam, Zuzana Drillet, Peter J. Edwards, Daniel R. Richards. Use of structural equation modeling to explore influences on perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices attributed to birds in Singapore. Ecosystem Services. 2020; 46 ():101211.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rachel A.T. Leong; Tze Kwan Fung; Uma Sachidhanandam; Zuzana Drillet; Peter J. Edwards; Daniel R. Richards. 2020. "Use of structural equation modeling to explore influences on perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices attributed to birds in Singapore." Ecosystem Services 46, no. : 101211.

Research article
Published: 27 April 2020 in PLOS ONE
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Urban residents can benefit from spending time in outdoor spaces and engaging with nature-related activities. Such engagement can improve health and well-being, support community cohesion, and improve environmentally-friendly behaviours. However, engagement with nature may not be equal amongst different members of society. We investigated individual variation in engagement with nature in Singapore, a high-density city in tropical Southeast Asia. Through a survey of 1000 residents, we analysed relationships between demographic factors such as age, income, and sex, and the frequency of visitation to different ecosystem types, and the frequency of engagement with different nature-related activities. Parks and neighbourhood open spaces were among the most commonly-visited outdoor spaces, with nature reserves and other natural areas being visited less frequently. Common activities included sitting outdoors, art and photography, and running, while hiking and nature recreation were less frequent. In contrast with previous studies, we found relatively small differences among different groups of the population in their preferred types of outdoor activities. Older people, those with lower incomes, and without degrees were less likely to visit most types of outdoor space and engage with most types of nature-related activities. In the case of nature reserves, the distance from the visitor’s home had a significantly negative influence on the frequency of visitation. These findings demonstrate that the benefits of engagement with nature are not equally enjoyed by all demographic groups, and that some groups lack engagement across the board. Strategies to increase nature engagement in tropical cities could include increasing the local availability and accessibility of different types of outdoor space, and education and public outreach programmes to encourage participation.

ACS Style

Daniel R. Richards; Tze Kwan Fung; Rachel A. T. Leong; Uma Sachidhanandam; Zuzana Drillet; Peter J. Edwards. Demographic biases in engagement with nature in a tropical Asian city. PLOS ONE 2020, 15, e0231576 .

AMA Style

Daniel R. Richards, Tze Kwan Fung, Rachel A. T. Leong, Uma Sachidhanandam, Zuzana Drillet, Peter J. Edwards. Demographic biases in engagement with nature in a tropical Asian city. PLOS ONE. 2020; 15 (4):e0231576.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel R. Richards; Tze Kwan Fung; Rachel A. T. Leong; Uma Sachidhanandam; Zuzana Drillet; Peter J. Edwards. 2020. "Demographic biases in engagement with nature in a tropical Asian city." PLOS ONE 15, no. 4: e0231576.

Journal article
Published: 10 March 2020 in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
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The tendency for cities to be warmer than surrounding rural areas, known as the urban heat island effect, has become a matter of increasing concern, particularly in regions with a hot, humid climate. While urban vegetation may reduce air temperatures, the magnitude of this cooling effect varies between different types of vegetation. In this study we compared the cooling effect of five vegetation types that are commonly encountered in the tropical city of Singapore: grass, shrub, managed trees, managed trees over shrub, and secondary forest. Ambient air temperatures were monitored over 18 months at 88 locations, and analysed in relation to characteristics of the surrounding vegetation. Generalised additive modelling revealed significant temperature reductions associated with increasing cover of managed trees, managed trees over shrubs below, and secondary forest vegetation, with the latter vegetation type having the greatest effect. We conclude that vegetation can significantly ameliorate temperatures in cities with a hot, humid climate, but not all types of vegetation are equally effective. By demonstrating the cooling benefits of secondary forest in densely-populated urban areas, public education and engagement campaigns could help overcome negative perceptions of such vegetation.

ACS Style

Richards; Tze Kwan Fung; Richard Neil Belcher; Pj Edwards. Differential air temperature cooling performance of urban vegetation types in the tropics. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2020, 50, 126651 .

AMA Style

Richards, Tze Kwan Fung, Richard Neil Belcher, Pj Edwards. Differential air temperature cooling performance of urban vegetation types in the tropics. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2020; 50 ():126651.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Richards; Tze Kwan Fung; Richard Neil Belcher; Pj Edwards. 2020. "Differential air temperature cooling performance of urban vegetation types in the tropics." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 50, no. : 126651.

Journal article
Published: 08 March 2020 in Sustainability
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Urban vegetation is important in providing ecosystem services to people. Different urban vegetation types provide contrasting suites of ecosystem services and disservices. Understanding public perceptions of the ecosystem services and disservices can therefore play an important role in shaping the planning and management of urban areas. We conducted an online survey (n = 1000) to understand how residents in the tropical city of Singapore perceived urban vegetation and the associated ecosystem services and disservices. The questionnaire was designed to explore whether different urban vegetation types (grass, shrubs, trees, trees over shrubs, and secondary forest) were perceived as equal in providing benefits. Respondents considered ecosystem services provided by urban vegetation to be more important than disservices. Among ecosystem services, regulating services were most highly rated, with more than 80% of the respondents appreciating urban vegetation for providing shade and improving air quality. Respondents recognized that different vegetation types provided different ecosystem services. For example, secondary forest was most commonly associated with education and wildlife, while trees were strongly associated with cooling and air quality. We conclude that in developing plans and designs for urban vegetation and ecosystem services, it is important to understand the perceptions, priorities, and concerns of residents.

ACS Style

Zuzana Drillet; Tze Fung; Rachel Leong; Uma Sachidhanandam; Peter Edwards; Daniel Richards. Urban Vegetation Types are Not Perceived Equally in Providing Ecosystem Services and Disservices. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2076 .

AMA Style

Zuzana Drillet, Tze Fung, Rachel Leong, Uma Sachidhanandam, Peter Edwards, Daniel Richards. Urban Vegetation Types are Not Perceived Equally in Providing Ecosystem Services and Disservices. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (5):2076.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zuzana Drillet; Tze Fung; Rachel Leong; Uma Sachidhanandam; Peter Edwards; Daniel Richards. 2020. "Urban Vegetation Types are Not Perceived Equally in Providing Ecosystem Services and Disservices." Sustainability 12, no. 5: 2076.

Articles
Published: 29 January 2020 in Botany Letters
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The only Caryota species native to Singapore, C. mitis is an important ecological resource for a diversity of fauna. However, little is known about the autecology of this charismatic, commonly cultivated palm. This is the first study that focuses on the autecology of C. mitis in Singapore, investigating the following ecological attributes: (1) their population demography; (2) differences in densities of C. mitis individuals between forest edges and interiors, and different vegetation types in secondary forests of Singapore; (3) fruit set; and (4) resource utilization for food and shelter by fauna in Singapore. Our results demonstrate that C. mitis thrives under disturbance, with significantly more individuals found in highly disturbed vegetation type, and more juveniles to adults along forest edges compared to the interior. Fruit set of C. mitis was estimated to be 31.88%, with each infructescence producing on average 805 fruits (n= 15). Eighteen species of insects over four orders (Hymenoptera; Coleoptera; Lepidoptera; and Hemiptera) were observed to utilize C. mitis for either food or shelter, and camera trapping (n = 562 trap nights) revealed five vertebrate taxa foraging on the fruits – pink-necked green pigeon (Treron vernans), oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), common palm civet (Paradoxurus musangus), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fasicularis) and plantain squirrel (Calloscirurus notatus). The ecological importance of C. mitis in maintaining food resources in the highly fragmented landscape of Singapore has important implications in reforestation and rehabilitation efforts in the region, considering their potential to thrive in disturbed habitats and along forest edges.

ACS Style

Z. B. R. Quek; S. X. Chui; W. N. Lam; T. K. Fung; N. Sivasothi. Autecology of the common fishtail palm, Caryota mitis (Arecaceae), in Singapore. Botany Letters 2020, 167, 265 -275.

AMA Style

Z. B. R. Quek, S. X. Chui, W. N. Lam, T. K. Fung, N. Sivasothi. Autecology of the common fishtail palm, Caryota mitis (Arecaceae), in Singapore. Botany Letters. 2020; 167 (2):265-275.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Z. B. R. Quek; S. X. Chui; W. N. Lam; T. K. Fung; N. Sivasothi. 2020. "Autecology of the common fishtail palm, Caryota mitis (Arecaceae), in Singapore." Botany Letters 167, no. 2: 265-275.