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The European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a common host for Ixodes ricinus ticks in urban and rural habitats, however, studies on ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of squirrels have not been conducted in Poland yet. Thus, the aims of the current study were to assess and compare the prevalence and abundance of ticks on red squirrels trapped at two sites in the Warsaw area (in an urban forest reserve and an urban park) and using molecular tools, to assess the genetic diversity of three pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia and Babesia spp.) in I. ricinus ticks collected from squirrels. For the detection of Rickettsia spp. a 750 bp long fragment of the citrate synthase gltA gene was amplified; for B. burgdorferi s.l. 132f/905r and 220f/824r primers were used to amplify the bacterial flaB gene fragments (774 and 605 bp, respectively) and for Babesia spp., a 550 bpfragment of 18S rRNA gene was amplified. In total, 91 red squirrels were examined for ticks. There were differences in tick prevalence and mean abundance of infestation in squirrels from the urban forest reserve and urban park. Three species of B. burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., and Babesia microti were detected in ticks removed from the squirrels. Our results broaden knowledge of S. vulgaris as an important host for immature I. ricinus stages and support the hypothesis that red squirrels act as a reservoir of B. burgdorferi. Moreover, we conclude that red squirrels may also play a role in facilitating the circulation of other pathogens causing serious risk of tick-borne diseases in natural and urban areas.

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In this study we focused on the need to fill a knowledge gap among Italian botanical studies namely that of ornamental species census. In particular, we addressed one of the regions in southern Italy with less knowledge in the field of such studies and with an obvious presence of non-native species. A widespread census of the Apulian territory was carried out between 2021 and 2024 in both urban and suburban areas including street trees, parks, and private and historic gardens. The inventory of ornamental trees, shrubs, and succulents of Apulia (southern Italy) was carried out in six provinces, i.e., Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, and Taranto. The checklist comprises 287 taxa (including 265 species, 6 varieties, 5 subspecies, and 11 forms) included in 179 genera belonging to 78 families. We evaluated the number of taxa per families and genera, the presence of each taxa in the provinces of Apulia, the number of taxa per occurrence status, growth forms, geographical origin, and the number of native and alien taxa and also the artificial hybrids. Remarks of the most significant taxa and evaluation of geographical distribution in Italy were also taken into consideration. A large number of surveyed taxa (51.74%) are comprised in the list reported in the recent study on allochthonous vascular flora in Italy with a marked prevalence of Neophyte Casual Alien and Neophyte Naturalized Alien species.

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BACKGROUND: We estimated the short-term effects of an educational workshop and 10-week outdoor walk group (OWG) compared to the workshop and 10 weekly reminders (WR) on increasing outdoor walking (primary outcome) and walking capacity, health-promoting behavior, and successful aging defined by engagement in meaningful activities and well-being (secondary outcomes) in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors. METHODS: In a 4-site, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, two cohorts of community-living older adults (≥ 65 years) reporting difficulty walking outdoors participated. Following a 1-day workshop, participants were stratified and randomized to a 10-week OWG in parks or 10 telephone WR reinforcing workshop content. Masked evaluations occurred at 0, 3, and 5.5 months. We modeled minutes walked outdoors (derived from accelerometry and global positioning system data) using zero-inflated negative binomial regression with log link function, imputing for missing observations. We modeled non-imputed composite measures of walking capacity, health-promoting behavior, and successful aging using generalized linear models with general estimating equations based on a normal distribution and an unstructured correlation matrix. Analyses were adjusted for site, participation on own or with a partner, and cohort. RESULTS: We randomized 190 people to the OWG (n = 98) and WR interventions (n = 92). At 0, 3, and 5.5 months, median outdoor walking minutes was 22.56, 13.04, and 0 in the OWG, and 24.00, 26.07, and 0 in the WR group, respectively. There was no difference between groups in change from baseline in minutes walked outdoors based on incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) at 3 months (IRR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.47, 1.14) and 5.5 months (IRR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.44, 1.34). Greater 0 to 3-month change in walking capacity was observed in the OWG compared to the WR group (ßz-scored difference = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02, 0.26) driven by significant improvement in walking self-efficacy; other comparisons were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: A group, park-based OWG was not superior to WR in increasing outdoor walking activity, health-promoting behavior or successful aging in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors; however, the OWG was superior to telephone WR in improving walking capacity through an increase in walking self-efficacy. Community implementation of the OWG is discussed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03292510 Date of registration: September 25, 2017.

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Global warming and rapid urbanization have caused frequent occurrences of heat waves and urban heat island effect, presenting a significant threat to health of urban residents. Researches have indicated that cooling services provided by parks are essential in alleviating impact of heat wave events and urban heat island effect. However, previous researches on park cooling services center around cooling effect, with a lack of exploration regarding the fairness of such services. To fill this gap, this study quantifies the level of equity in cooling services in 18 parks in the core area of Hangzhou. Through this study, we hope to clarify the current situation of fairness of cooling services in urban parks and provide fairer park cooling services through scientific and reasonable park layouts. This will alleviate the threat of rapid urbanization and climate change to urban residents, and make the urban environment develop in a more livable direction. We assessed the cooling effect using remote sensing and the ArcGIS platform to screen parks with cooling effect and to quantify their cooling service efficiency. We utilized spatial network analysis to quantify the accessibility and origin-destination matrix data to quantify the attractiveness to reflect the level of park cooling services. The results reveal that 18 parks exhibit a noticeable cooling effect, albeit with variations observed among parks. The percentage of urban parks with low accessibility is 77.80%, indicating that the distribution of accessible space presents an uneven status quo. In addition, 72.20% of parks have low attractiveness of cooling services, indicating that some parks have insufficient attractiveness of cooling services. Based on each indicator of cooling services, we categorize urban parks into four types based on supply and demand, and propose adaptive planning measures and intervention strategies to provide a reference for equitable distribution of cooling services in urban parks.

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Use of natural green spaces (NGS) is associated with improved psychological well-being (PWB). Ethnic minorities, particularly South Asian (SA) communities in the UK, face unequal access to NGS and experience a greater prevalence of health challenges than the general population. Improving access to green space can contribute to addressing current health inequalities. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic literature review aimed to synthesise existing research on NGS access barriers experienced by SAs and associations between NGS use and PWB. A comprehensive search was conducted through SAGE, Science Direct, and SCOPUS in August 2022; we included qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies with findings on NGS access and/or associations between NGS use and PWB for SAs in the UK. We employed deductive thematic analysis to explore inhibitors and enablers of access which were then conceptualised through a multidimensional framework. Associations between NGS and PWB were coded inductively and mapped separately. This review is registered on PROSPERO: CRD42022353711. Twenty-six studies were included in the review which varied substantially in their aims, methods, context, and participants. Included studies on NGS grouped SAs within broader demographic categories such as minority ethnic communities or Muslims. Our findings indicate that SAs are disadvantaged in their access to NGS due to numerous intersecting factors including unequal distribution, inadequate transport, racialisation of NGS, and safety concerns. Whilst these findings generally aligned with broader literature on NGS access, certain access barriers and enablers are particularly significant to SA communities. We also identified several dimensions of PWB that are enhanced for SAs through interacting with NGS including overall mental health outcomes, physical wellbeing, and social relatedness. This review highlights opportunities to improve access to NGS and thereby enhance PWB outcomes for SA people. It also identifies the lack of primary research exploring NGS access and PWB associations for SA communities, specifically in rural contexts.

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In a survey of the arthropod fauna of 33 Urban Green Spaces (UGS) in Bogotá, Colombia, between 2017 and 2019, 21 species (3,825 specimens) of Psylloidea were collected. These represent all seven recognised families of jumping plant-lice and include seven species identified only to genus. The specimens, all adults, were collected on 30 plant species used for arborization in the UGS. Two species are described as new (Mastigimaslongicaudatus Rendón-Mera, Burckhardt & Vargas-Fonseca, sp. nov. and Leuronotaalbilinea Rendón-Mera, Burckhardt & Vargas-Fonseca, sp. nov.), one species is redescribed (Mastigimascolombianus Burckhardt, Queiroz & Drohojowska) and one species is recorded for the first time from Colombia (Calindatrinervis Olivares & Burckhardt). Among the seven species identified only to genus is an undescribed species of Melanastera, representing a genus not previously known from Colombia. Fourteen species found during the survey are probably native (66%) and seven (33%) adventive. Our findings highlight the significance of UGS for preservation of biological diversity and stress the importance of using native plants in urban landscape planning for the conservation of the native entomofauna.

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Urban parks play a significant role in urban ecosystems and are strongly associated with human health. Nevertheless, the biological contamination of urban parks - opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) - has been poorly reported. Here, metagenomic and 16 S rRNA sequencing methods were used to study the distribution and assembly of opportunistic pathogens and ARGs in soil and water from nine parks in Lanzhou city, and further compared them with local human gut microbiomes to investigate the potential transmission risk. Our results revealed that the most important type of drug resistance in urban parks was multidrug resistance, with various resistance mechanisms. Approximately half of ARGs were shared between human gut and park environment, and it was noteworthy that cross-species transmission might exist among some high-risk ARGs, such as mepA and mdtE, with a significant enrichment in human gut. Metagenomic binning uncovered several bacterial genomes carrying adjacent ARGs, MGEs, and virulence genes, indicating a possibility that these genes may jointly transfer among different environments, particularly from park environment to human. Our results provided a reference point for the management of environmental pollutants in urban parks.

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Monitoring vegetation dynamics in terrestrial national parks (TNPs) is crucial for ensuring sustainable environmental management and mitigating the potential negative impacts of short- and long-term disturbances understanding the effect of climate change within natural and protected areas. This study aims to monitor the vegetation dynamics of TNPs in Indonesia by first categorizing them into the regions of Sumatra, Jawa, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Eastern Indonesia and then applying ready-to-use MODIS EVI time-series imageries (MOD13Q1) taken from 2000 to 2022 on the GEE cloud-computing platform. Specifically, this research investigates the greening and browning fraction trends using Sen's slope, considers seasonality by analyzing the maximum and minimum EVI values, and assesses anomalous years by comparing the annual time series and long-term median EVI value. The findings reveal significantly increasing greening trends in most TNPs, except Danau Sentarum, from 2000 to 2022. The seasonality analysis shows that most TNPs exhibit peak and trough greenness at the end of the rainy and dry seasons, respectively, as the vegetation response to precipitation increases and decreases. Anomalies in seasonality that is affected by climate change was detected in all of the regions. To increase TNPs resilience, suggested measures include active reforestation and implementation of Assisted Natural Regeneration, strengthen the enforcement of fundamental managerial task, and forest fire management.

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Outdoor exercise can be a novelty and effective therapeutic strategy to achieve positive physical and mental health outcomes in persons with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a 24-weeks outdoor exercise program in the physical and mental health of persons with schizophrenia. Fifty-two outpatients with schizophrenia were conveniently assigned to a 24-weeks walking/jogging combined with cycling outdoor program (n = 23, male = 14) or control group (n = 29, male = 20). Demographic and clinical measures were collected. Physical health was evaluated using anthropometric measures, 6 min walk test, Eurofit and accelerometer. Mental health was evaluated using self-esteem, motivation for exercise and quality of life questionnaires. Attendance rate to the outdoor program was 92 %. The exercise program significantly decreased participant's body mass index and improved functional exercise capacity and balance. No effects were reported in the self-esteem, motivation for physical activity and quality of life. Significant decreases were found in abdominal strength, hand grip and self-esteem levels of the control group. The outdoor exercise combining walking/jogging and cycling was an effective intervention to decrease body mass index and to improve physical fitness. It can be suggested as a therapeutic approach with an important impact on the management of schizophrenia.

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Ascoschoengastia indica is one of the dominant chigger species in Southeast Asia and a potential carrier of scrub typhus, due in part to its cosmopolitan nature. This study explored the possible biological significance of the observed dimorphism in the shape of its scutum sensilla. Sensilla are specialized structures that are generally adapted to perform specific functions related to sensory capabilities, so their shape and sizes are expected to vary between taxa. We describe morphological variation of the sensilla of A. indica in Thailand. The sensilla had either a round or an ovoid, club-shaped form, which was not dependent on the particularly locality or host. Ignoring the precise function of the sensilla and their morphological variation, our study attempted to answer the following single question: Do the distinct forms of the sensilla indicate possible heterogeneity of the A. indica species? The two forms, named S1 and S2, were compared by genetic and morphometric techniques. The genetic analysis was based on the COI sequences, while the morphometric comparison used the scutum, an organ shown to be of taxonomic value for chigger mites. Neither morphometric nor genetic data revealed any evidence of a speciation process underlying the morphological variation in sensillum types.

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As nature-based solutions, urban park plant communities play a pivotal role in regulating urban carbon cycles, alleviating global climate change, and fostering sustainable urban development. However, the factors influencing the carbon sink efficiency of plant communities in urban parks within temperate monsoon climate zones have not been fully investigated. This study used multivariate heterogeneous data to evaluate plant communities' carbon storage (CS) and annual carbon sequestration (ACS) in 25 urban parks across different biotope types in Jinan, a city located in China's temperate monsoon climate zone. The driving mechanisms affecting carbon sink efficacy were revealed using Spearman correlation, regression, principal component analyses, and structural equation modeling. Results demonstrated that: 1) Closed broadleaf multi-layer green space has significant carbon sink potential compared to other vegetation structures. 2) The carbon sink efficiency of the plant communities negatively correlated with the sky view factor and planting layout density. Three-dimensional green quantity (3DGQ), the ratio of trees and shrubs, species richness, and vertical structures positively correlated with plant communities' carbon storage and sequestration. 3) Whether increasing 3DGQ, the ratio of trees and shrubs, or the total number of individuals of all species, there is a certain threshold bottleneck in enhancing the carbon sink benefits of plant communities. 4) Plant community structure, species composition, and species diversity influenced carbon sink efficiency, collectively forming the first principal component. The 3DGQ affected carbon sink efficiency as the second principal component. Synergistic effects existed among these driving factors, jointly explained 64.3 % and 90.1 % of the CS and ACS of plant communities, respectively. Optimization design strategies for different plant communities in urban parks were proposed.

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Parks have the potential to encourage physical activity among urban communities. However, existing research on the link between park use and physical activity has produced inconsistent results. Mixed findings in the past may be due in part to differences in park quality across studies. The aim of this study was to explore the association between park use and physical activity among New York City adults in low-income communities that recently received city-sponsored park renovation as part of the Community Parks Initiative (CPI). Using population-weighted survey data from eight neighborhoods with recent park renovation (n = 2,000), we measured associations between park use frequency (≥ once/week vs. < once/week) and self-reported physical activity (high vs. low-moderate based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire). We adjusted models for age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, income, study site, and use of other (non-CPI) parks, and conducted stratified analysis for demographic variables with significant interactions with park use. After adjusting for covariates, we observed a positive association between park use and physical activity (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.16-1.46). Greater frequency of park use was more strongly associated with high physical activity among adults ≤ 50 y (PR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.14-1.69), individuals with annual household income < $25,000 (PR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.13-2.08), and Latinos (PR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.44-2.18). Our findings suggest that high-quality parks might be particularly beneficial for promoting physical activity among those with a lower socioeconomic background and in younger and Latino adults, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in park revitalization among urban communities of color.

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This paper introduces the 'Australian Park Life Project' and describes a protocol to standardise the capture and collation of public open greenspace spatial data across Australian cities. This method will progress greenspace research allowing for unique coherent national analyses and comparative research across Australia. We also outline the development of the Park Life public participatory geographic information system (PPGIS) to spatially explore what, and how, public open greenspaces are being used by Australian communities. The combination of community crowdsourced spatial data providing location-specific information on the green public open spaces used, in combination with the national spatial layer of greenspace allows for unique analyses exploring the role of greenspace provision and design on use and represents a transformative strategy in shaping public open space policy and strategy.•A spatial layer of public open greenspace was created for the eight Australian State and Territory capital cities using a standardised data capture and collection method from local government planning schemes and land use data, and listings of managed and demarcated parks and reserves.•The Park Life public participatory geographic information system (PPGIS) was built to capture spatially referenced information on the use of greenspaces - specifically what spaces are used, and how they are used.

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Chronic diseases affect more than 80% of older adults. One modifiable risk factor for secondary prevention is physical activity. Public parks are an essential resource for physical activity, but environmental features may limit participation. Our aims were (1) to assess the feasibility and utility of the Path Environment Audit Tool (PEAT) for use in a larger-scale study focused on older adults and (2) to examine the physical activity-promoting features of five public parks. METHODS: A descriptive study design was used to assess five public parks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from April to June 2022. Additionally, process, resource, and management assessments were also conducted. RESULTS: The PEAT was easy to use, but additions are recommended to increase relevance to older adults with chronic disease. Descriptive analyses revealed positive features, such as adequate lighting, but other features such as path slope were more variable. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings can guide the future use of the PEAT for older adult participants and inform environmental modifications.

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BACKGROUND: Green space is an important part of the human living environment, with many epidemiological studies estimating its impact on human health. However, no study has quantitatively assessed the credibility of the existing evidence, impeding their translations into policy decisions and hindering researchers from identifying new research gaps. This overview aims to evaluate and rank such evidence credibility. METHODS: Following the PRISMA guideline, we systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for systematic reviews with meta-analyses concerning green spaces and health outcomes published up to January 15, 2024. We categorized the credibility of meta-analytical evidence from interventional studies into four levels (i.e., high, moderate, low, and very low) using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework, based on five domains including risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias. Further, we recalculated all the meta-analyses from observational studies and classified evidence into five levels (i.e., convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, and non-significant) by considering stringent thresholds for P-values, sample size, robustness, heterogeneity, and testing for biases. FINDINGS: In total, 154 meta-analysed associations (interventional = 44, observational = 110) between green spaces and health outcomes were graded. Among meta-analyses from interventional studies, zero, four (wellbeing, systolic blood pressure, negative affect, and positive affect), 20, and 20 associations between green spaces and health outcomes were graded as high, moderate, low, and very low credibility evidence, respectively. Among meta-analyses from observational studies, one (cardiovascular disease mortality), four (prevalence/incidence of diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, and small for gestational age infant, and all-cause mortality), 12, 22, and 71 associations were categorized as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, and non-significant evidence, respectively. INTERPRETATION: The current evidence largely confirms beneficial associations between green spaces and human health. However, only a small subset of these associations can be deemed to have a high or convincing credibility. Hence, future better designed primary studies and meta-analyses are still needed to provide higher quality evidence for informing health promotion strategies. FUNDING: The National Natural Science Foundation of China of China; the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program; the Guangdong Medical Science and Technology Research Fund; the Research Grant Council of the Hong Kong SAR; and Sino-German mobility program.

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Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) possessed by indigenous communities offers a vital source of information regarding the status and threats faced by species. Anaphalis javanica (DC.) Sch.Bip. commonly known as Javanese edelweiss is a culturally significant species in Indonesia's mountainous regions, yet conservation efforts for it remain limited. We utilized TEK to assess the status and threats to the Javanese edelweiss in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia. The research aims to assess the distribution, abundance, population trends, and threats faced by Javanese edelweiss using TEK. We interviewed 641 individuals from seven Tengger villages near the park to gather data on the distribution, status, and threats facing the Javanese edelweiss, contributing to conservation efforts. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and ordinal logistic regression. TEK regarding the Javanese edelweiss was extensive, as 96.3% of respondents recognized the plant. A majority (73.2%) had observed Javanese edelweiss in the wild, yet a significant portion (85%) perceived it as "very rare" or "rare." Furthermore, 50% of respondents reported a decline in its population. Variations in sighting frequency, perceived abundance, and population trends across different locations provide crucial insights for identifying priority areas and shaping community-based conservation strategies for Javanese edelweiss. This research underscores the importance of integrating TEK into conservation planning, emphasizing community involvement for effective and sustainable biodiversity conservation.

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Rapid urbanization has led to increasingly prominent urban heat island phenomena and social inequality. It is urgent to quantify the threshold area of urban parks from multiple perspectives to maximize the cooling effect and improve the equity of park cooling services. Using 33 urban parks in Harbin City as research objects, four indices, i.e., park cooling intensity (PCI), park cooling distance (PCD), park cooling area (PCA), and park cooling efficiency (PCE), were used to explore the park cooling effect and the threshold value of efficiency (TVoE) of the size. The OD (origin-destination) matrix model was constructed to assess the spatial accessibility from the community to the cooling range. The Gini coefficient was used to assess the equity of cooling range accessibility. The relative contribution of each influencing factor to the cooling indicator was quantified through regression modeling. The results showed that the average PCI was 3.27 â„ƒ, the average PCD was 277 m, the average PCA was 115.35 ha, and the average PCE was 5.74. Gray space area was the dominant factor for PCI, PCD, and PCA (relative contributions of 100%, 31%, and 19%, respectively). Park area was the dominant factor for PCE (relative contribution of 28%). The TVoE of park sizes based on PCA and PCE were calculated as 82.37 ha and 2.56 ha, respectively. 39.2% and 94.01% of communities can reach cooling ranges within 15 min in walk mode and transit mode, respectively. Approximately 18% of neighborhood residents are experiencing severe inequities in cooling range accessibility. This study can guide park design that maximizes cooling effects, as well as inform city planners on more equitable allocation of urban park resources.

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By providing spaces for recreation, physical activity, social gatherings, and time in nature, urban parks offer physical, mental, and social benefits to users. However, many urban residents face barriers to park use. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new potential barriers to urban park access and use, including changes to daily life and employment, closure of park amenities and restrictions to public movement, and risk from the coronavirus itself. The mixed-methods PARCS study measured use and perceptions of a large urban park in St. Louis, Missouri before, during, and after local COVID-19 contingency measures and restrictions. We examine data from 1,157 direct observation assessments of park usership, an online survey of park users (n=561), interviews with key stakeholders (n=27), four focus groups (n=30), and a community-based participatory research sub-study (n=66) to comprehensively characterize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on park use. Park users who felt unsafe from the coronavirus experienced 2.65 higher odds of reducing park use. However, estimated park visits during COVID-19 contingency measures (n=5,023,759) were twice as high as post-contingency (n=2,277,496). Participants reported using the park for physical activity, recreation, time in nature, and socializing during the contingency period. Black, Hispanic/Latino, and young people were less likely to visit the park than others, suggesting an additional, disproportionate impact of the pandemic on minoritized and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. This study highlights the role of public spaces like parks as resources for health and sites where urban health inequities can be alleviated in times of public crisis.

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Urban trees enhance biodiversity, provide ecosystem services, and improve quality of life in cities. Despite their benefits, trees are not distributed equitably, and many cities exhibit a "luxury effect". Given the importance of public green space for providing access to urban tree benefits, we investigated the relationship between socioeconomic level and tree diversity and structure in 60 green areas in Santiago de Chile. Species richness and total tree abundance did not significantly vary among socioeconomic levels; however, a differential effect was found according to species origin. Introduced tree species exhibited similar abundance and species richness across socioeconomic levels, but native tree species were more abundant and richer in higher socioeconomic level areas compared to lower ones. Tree cover was higher in the high and medium socioeconomic level areas than in the low socioeconomic level area. A higher average DBH was found in the medium socioeconomic level area, which may be explained by older neighborhoods and a legacy of the luxury effect. Our findings reveal that socioeconomic groups are associated with differences in tree cover, width, and the number of native species in public green areas. Consequently, urban residents have different provisions of ecosystem services and opportunities to interact with natural heritage. Increasing the amount of tree cover and native species available to vulnerable groups will reduce disparities.

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Urban configuration and food availability influence birds' foraging behaviour and constitute key factors for understanding how they exploit cities. Here, we conducted a field survey in the city of Madrid (Spain) from winter 2021 to autumn 2022 to understand how the common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) exploits the food resources provided by urban parks and streets across different seasons. The proportion of observations away from parks increased during winter and spring, and the proportion of observations of wood pigeons eating on the ground was the greatest in summer. The common wood pigeon fed from 45 tree species, 60% of which were exotic ornamental species. Most tree species used as food sources coincided with those widely planted in parks, streets and avenues. The preferred trees varied throughout the year, with a greater incidence of exotic species in winter and spring. Our results show that the diversity of trees available in cities and the use of non-native plants with contrasting phenological patterns compared with the local flora are crucial elements in explaining the successful establishment of the common wood pigeon in the city.