Expected reduced biodiversity loss

The reforestation project at Bela Vista Park in Lisbon is a collaborative effort by the MEO Kalorama music festival, the Lisbon City Council, and Quercus (local NGO). The intervention began with a community planting event in February 2024 with the planting of 80 native trees, and the goal to plant a total of a total of 1,000 trees. The project aimed to improve the park's biodiversity, enhance carbon absorption, and support local wildlife. The tree species were chosen for their suitability to the local climate and their ability to integrate with existing vegetation. Local schoolchildren and residents participated in the planting, serving as a community engagement activity. This initiative is part of broader efforts to make Lisbon greener and to positively contribute to the local environment, given the disturbance caused by the MEO Kalorama festival (Ref 1, 2, 3).

The Horpaz-Ezareni Park is an initiative driven by civil society, requesting the municipality of Miroslava to construct a natural park adjacent to Lake Ezareni. The aim is to protect its green spaces and aquatic bird species while addressing waste management in the area. The petition also called for more green spaces in line with European standards and sought to tackle the challenges of rapid urbanization in peri-urban areas. It collected hundreds of signatures and targeted an area of 20 hectares.
In response, the municipality agreed to the petition and initially proposed creating a park covering 4 hectares in 2022. This first plan was released to the public for consultation. However, the project has since evolved to encompass the original 20 hectares, plus an additional 2 hectares, with an estimated project cost of 11,000,000 euros and a timeline of 3 years for implementation.
The park's design includes various facilities and amenities aimed at enhancing opportunities for recreation, exercise, and relaxation. Accessible paths for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as a parking lot, are also part of the plan. Additionally, two buildings are proposed for sanitary and administrative purposes, which would manage the projected installations of a lighting system, Wi-Fi, and surveillance cameras.
Environmentally, the project includes plans for managing the lake's banks to remove hydrophilic vegetation that could create an unhealthy environment, along with the construction of two bridges. The wilderness areas will be managed, and dendrological plants will be introduced to improve the ecosystem's quality. Overall, the project aims to increase and regenerate green spaces in the commune, enhancing the quality of life for residents and improving the area's aesthetic appeal. (1-8)

Coastal erosion is a well-known consequence of climate change, driven by rising sea levels, extreme storms, and powerful coastal surges. Dollymount Strand, a popular spot for bathing and water sports in Dublin, is particularly vulnerable. Located on North Bull Island and managed by Dublin City Council, the area is part of several protected zones, including a Special Area of Amenity, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, a Ramsar Wetland, a Natura 2000 site, and the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere. To help mitigate this issue, Dublin City Council has implemented a solution that works with, rather than against, natural processes.
During late summer and autumn—particularly following high tides, warm weather, and storms—a type of seaweed called Ectocarpus siliculosis naturally accumulates along Dublin Bay’s beaches. Instead of removing it, the council allows the seaweed to remain, recognizing its essential role in maintaining the beach’s rich biodiversity. Ectocarpus contributes to the health of the coastal ecosystem, supporting marine life and enhancing the natural resilience of Dublin Bay. (1.2)

Two new wetlands were established in Dodder Valley Park as part of the Dublin Urban Rivers Life Project (DURL). This project aimed to create integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs) at strategic locations in South Dublin County to purify wastewater and storm-water before it discharged into rivers.
The ICWs consisted of a series of cells resembling shallow ponds, typically 200 to 300 mm deep. Heavily planted with specific vegetation, these cells treated water by removing nutrients and harmful impurities, resulting in cleaner, purer water being discharged. The water flowing into the wetlands came from wastewater of misconnected appliances and storm-water pipes located under public roads, which collected rainwater from roads, footpaths, and the roofs and patios of houses.
These wetlands also provided important benefits, including flood alleviation, bioretention of particulates and nutrients, improved habitat conditions, and enhanced biodiversity. The project aimed to promote the relationship between green infrastructure and public well-being, creating a complex biological system that supports a diverse range of plants, animals, microorganisms, and hopefully attracts frogs, newts, and birds.
To increase native biodiversity, the wetlands were designed with pollinator-friendly plants and trees, making them visually appealing for park users and the public. A Wetland Planting Day took place on September 9, 2022, with over 40 participants, including residents and representatives from local organizations. This phase of the project fulfilled not only the objectives of the LIFE project but also those of the River Basin Masin Management Plan 2022–2027, the Water Framework Directive, the Climate Change Action Plan, the Floods Directive. (1, 2, 5)

The Cartagena-Barranquilla Road Corridor project, led by the National Infrastructure Agency (Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI)), covers 146.7 km to enhance connectivity between Cartagena and Barranquilla (ref 2). While primarily a transportation initiative, the project stands out for its focus on environmental conservation and community development. A major goal is the restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity protection. To this end, over 40,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted in the 34.13-hectare Ciénaga de la Virgen, a vital coastal wetland in Cartagena. These mangroves play a crucial role in restoring habitats, capturing carbon, and acting as natural flood barriers, thereby safeguarding nearby communities (ref 1,4,6). The project also tackles hazards like wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation. Seven wildlife crossings have been built to facilitate the safe movement of species, including the endangered Blue Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) in the Ciénaga de Mallorquín. These crossings are essential for preserving local wildlife (ref 1,7).
In terms of socio-economic impact, the project has created over 9,000 jobs and established six bioclimatic nurseries, which provide sustainable livelihoods for communities in La Boquilla, Villa Gloria, Tierra Baja, and Puerto Rey. These nurseries support mangrove restoration and offer local people opportunities to participate in planting, monitoring, and maintenance activities. This approach fosters a circular economy, empowering community members, both men and women, to engage in sustainable economic practices (ref 1,2,6).
Overall, the Cartagena-Barranquilla Road Corridor is more than a transport project; it acts as a green corridor with a comprehensive approach that combines environmental conservation, hazard mitigation, and socio-economic development.

The D'Olive Creek Restoration project is designed to address the significant environmental challenges facing the D’Olive Creek Watershed and its tributaries (Tiawasee and Joe’s Branch), primarily caused by increased urbanization. Over the last several decades, the area has experienced severe erosion, sedimentation, and habitat degradation due to stormwater runoff from new residential and commercial developments. This runoff has led to stream channel instability, loss of wetlands, and impaired water quality in both D'Olive Creek and Mobile Bay, threatening aquatic and wildlife habitats (Ref 2).
The project involves restoring degraded streams and implementing management measures to reduce the downstream impacts within the watershed. Key activities include stormwater retrofits, stream restorations, and continuous monitoring. These efforts aim to stabilize stream segments and significantly reduce sediment loading into the northeast quadrant of Mobile Bay. This is crucial for improving water quality and clarity, which is necessary for re-establishing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds that serve as critical nursery areas for shellfish and finfish (Ref 1). By using natural materials like rock and living plants, the project also seeks to create a sustainable and ecologically balanced watershed system (Ref 3).
The anticipated outcomes include enhanced water quality in D'Olive Creek and Mobile Bay, reduced erosion and sedimentation, and the restoration of vital habitats, which will contribute to the region's overall ecological health (Ref 1, 3). This restoration project is part of a broader strategy outlined in the 2002 Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the Mobile Bay Estuary (Ref 1).

The Miraflores Bicentennial Park has been built on the Malecón de la Reserva and the Quebrada de Armendáriz. It was inaugurated in June 2022 as one of the created projects within the framework of the commemorations of the 200 years of Independence celebrations (1). It is considered a new green lung of Lima (2), as it has a green area of 30,400 square metres and stands on one of the cliffs of the Costa Verde (1). It has a system of terraces that replicates the construction model of the Incas, which has made it possible to additionally reinforce the soil and the slopes with the use of retaining walls up to 10 metres high, with horizontal geogrids and vertical geocells (1, 2). It was structured on a stabilised slope in order to mitigate the risk of landslides (4), and an irrigation system was implemented to stabilise the soil (4).
This space was built as a biodiversity garden with more than 160,000 xerophilic coastal species with low water consumption, 300 trees and 80 palm trees. It also offers places for tourism, such as viewpoints and squares, where cultural events, open-air activities and rest areas are held (1). It also aims to connect aspects of landscape conservation, preservation of biodiversity in the city, and the construction of a cultural landscape in which human action is complementary and friendly to the natural environment (9). Finally, it seeks to contribute to the reduction of the municipality's carbon footprint by reducing the harmful effects of urban expansion on the Lima cliff ecosystem, such as deforestation, water pollution and loss of biodiversity (9).

The Vera Park is a significant site in the city of Tbilisi, created in the mid-20th century. Located centrally, it is not only frequently visited by tourists but also used as a recreational area for the surrounding residents and workers (Ref. 1,2). The park is recognized as an immovable cultural heritage site, emphasizing its historical significance (Ref. 1). However, its condition had become quite desolate, necessitating extensive rehabilitation while preserving its original features (Ref. 2). Importantly, the project is carried out between the city of Tbilisi and the Asian Development Bank under the Livable Cities Investment Program (LCIP) to improve urban and tourism infrastructure (Ref. 1,2). As such, the project was developed through co-participatory planning, engaging citizens who have shown significant interest in the site’s development and will further serve as a precedent case for co-participatory planning in the future (Ref. 4,2).

The Urban Forestry Plan for Cartagena, led by EPA Cartagena, outlines a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the city's green infrastructure. The plan focuses on selecting suitable tree species, planting, and management to achieve several goals: reducing heat through shade, creating microclimates, protecting against climatic events such as coastal erosion and windstorms, enhancing food security, and enhancing the landscape's beauty. Over 10 years, the plan aims to establish at least 100,000 additional trees, increase overall tree cover, enhance accessibility to green spaces, and build a main ecological structure based on natural resources and biodiversity. It also emphasises the importance of local knowledge and resources (ref 1).
Formulated with community input, the plan commenced in 2013 and involved a detailed assessment of existing urban vegetation and climate conditions, utilising tools such as iTree. The development included international conferences and expert consultations to ensure a robust and informed approach (ref 1).

The City of Gothenburg's policy for park and street trees was updated in 2016 and has the overarching aim to maintain and develop the ecological, historical, social and economic values of the city's trees and tree environments. Trees are described as having ecological, historical, cultural and economic values. They can provide ecosystem services such as habitat and biodiversity, air quality improvement, flood prevention, heat mitigation, recreation and aesthetic values [Ref. 1].

The policy applies to all trees in the streets, squares, and parks within the municipality but not to natural environments such as forests at the city's edge. Further, the policy is mostly relevant for municipality employees whenever they make decisions that will affect trees or tree-covered areas, such as zoning/planning and construction projects. Other actors in the city, such as private real estate or construction companies, are not required to follow the policy but are encouraged to consider it. The policy formulates sub-goals and guidances regarding the preservation of existing trees (prioritising large and old ones), the planting of new trees, the maintenance of trees, protection during construction work and finally, the taking down of trees, including compensation measures. The policy's direct effects is an expected improved management of trees within the municipal organisation. This may have further indirect benefits in the form of increased ecosystem service provision when the policy affects other projects [Ref. 1, 2].