Biodiversity loss

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)

The park called Järnvågsparken will be constructed in the developing neighbourhood of Masthuggskajen as the main green space of the area, measuring about 8000 m2. The park will offer recreational activities for people living and working in the area, with spaces designated for rest, meetings, picnics, walking and play. For example, there will be a large playground, many different places to sit, grass lawns and a space to host cultural events in [Ref. 1-4]. The park will also be designed to manage stormwater and reduce flood risk [Ref. 5, 6]. The park will be built over an existing highway, turning it into a tunnel while reconnecting the new neighbourhood. The remaining future park area next to the road are currently parking spaces [Ref. 1, 4, 5]. The adjacent streets will also see more greening, increasing the connectivity of green spaces and mobility [Ref. 4-6]. The location on top of a tunnel limits the soil depth of the park, but the ambition is still to house a rich plant and animal life, including trees, providing ecosystem services [Ref. 1-6]. The project is managed by the City of Gothenburg [Ref. 1, 7].

The "Un Millón de Corales por Colombia" project is a national initiative aimed at the restoration and conservation of coral reefs across Colombia. Initiated in 2021, this ambitious project seeks to rehabilitate 200 hectares of coral reef by planting one million coral fragments across seven departments in Colombia, spanning both the Caribbean and Pacific regions​ (ref 1,2). It was developed as a response to the significant degradation of coral reefs caused by climate change, coastal development, overfishing, and pollution. These factors have led to the loss of about 80% of coral reefs in the Caribbean region.
The initiative, led by the Colombian government in partnership with organizations such as Conservación Internacional, Parques Nacionales Naturales, Corales de Paz, and several regional environmental authorities, focuses on restoring this vital ecosystem (ref 2). The project encompasses constructing and maintaining coral nurseries and training local community members, including fishermen, as "coral gardeners." These gardeners are taught scientifically proven coral restoration techniques, including microfragmentation and larval rearing methods. A key aspect of the project involves continuous education and involvement of the community and stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability (ref 4, 5). In Cartagena, the project plays a vital role in the restoration and conservation of coral reefs in this region, which is a key site for the initiative (ref 4).

The Filter Ecosystem project, completed in 2007, aims to improve water quality and enhance the ecological health of the Molentargius wetland area in Sardinia, Italy, also known as the Molentargius Saline Regional Nature Park. This diverse territory includes freshwater basins such as Bellarosa Minore and Perdalonga, saline water basins like Bellarosa Maggiore and Stagno di Quartu, and the predominantly dry area known as Is Arenas.
The Molentargius ecosystem is a crucial European site for various aquatic birds and features diverse flora, including endemic species and endangered plants on the "Red List." It is one of the few globally recognized wetlands of international importance for aquatic birds located entirely within a large urban center, protected as a biotope by the RAMSAR Convention in Sardinia's major urban area. Since the 1980s, it has suffered environmental degradation due to inadequate infrastructure for wastewater management and human pressures.
Implemented by the city of Cagliari, the project employs a phytoremediation technique to supply water to the ponds. This involved constructing a phytoremediation system between the Bellarosa Maggiore and Bellarosa Minore ponds, functioning as a surface flow filter ecosystem resembling a marsh or wetland.
The system enhances natural self-purification processes, promoting prolonged contact between water, organic matter, and plants. This setup creates microhabitats that support microbial flora crucial for purification. The project's primary goal is to treat wastewater from the Is Arenas treatment plant, ensuring that the treated water meets optimal conditions for sustaining the wetlands' biodiversity. Additionally, the project will expand reed bed areas, vital habitats for avian species, and is designed to purify up to 300 liters of water per second to meet the area's needs (Refs. 1, 2, 3).

In the 1980s, rapid industrialization, urban population growth, and increased water usage led to severe pollution in Dianchi Lake, exceeding its environmental capacity and significantly degrading its water quality (Ref 1). This deterioration had serious effects on nearby ecosystems, including Cuihu Lake (Ref 2). Cuihu Lake (翠湖), also known as Green Lake Park, is a well-known park and body of water in the center of Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. In Cuihu lake the decline in water quality caused a sharp reduction in native species like the golden line barb, which depend on the local ecosystem for survival, pushing them to near extinction and destabilizing the entire ecosystem (ibid.).
To address this, several effective initiatives have been launched to restore Cuihu Lake’s ecosystem in recent years (Ref 2, 3). One of them was started in 2020 when a restoration project was initiated by the site's administration in collaboration with Dr. Li Weiwei’s team from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The project focused on creating micro-habitats and restoring the aquatic ecosystem (ibid.). Ecosystem and biodiversity restoration efforts were conducted across a 5,000 m² area on the east side of Green Lake Park, covering approximately 1/27th of the lake (ibid.).
As a result, more than 20 aquatic animal species are now thriving and contributing to water purification, while three submerged plant species cover over 50% of the project area (Ref 2, 3, 4). Bird diversity and numbers are also increasing, with species like white-breasted kingfishers, green-winged teals, and crested guinea-fowls returning to the area (ibid.). Additionally, there has been a significant improvement in water quality (ibid.).

The Çukurova University Botanical Garden was initiated in 1972 by the Department for Landscape Architecture to protect and conserve the rich native and non-native biodiversity of the region for future generations (Ref. 5,9). Its establishment responds to the lack of Botanical Gardens in Türkiye despite the country's great diversity. The Garden also wants to offer protection for increasingly threatened species in the face of rapid and uncontrolled urbanization (Ref. 5,9). Being located close to two Deltas and an important agricultural region, the collection also aims to include a great number of wetland and agricultural species, drawing public attention to the importance of these ecosystems (Ref. 6). As such, the University invites every school in Adana to visit and participate in its ongoing educational activities and primary school children are offered hands-on gardening programmes (Ref. 1,2). Furthermore, visitors can immerse themselves and learn about various vegetation zones, including endemic maquis, where stairs, walking paths and information boards have been installed (Ref. 4). The University maintains research activities in the Botanical Garden and in on site laboratories, which regularly host interns (Ref. 4). To ensure the stready supply of plant material for landscaping and education, nurseries have been set up and in 2020 a 250 m² medicinal and aromatic plant greenhouse was added where students of the Faculty of Agriculture are trained and endemic species grown (Ref. 9,10).

A small biodiversity park was established in Härlanda Park, an old prison complex which today houses a culture centre, a pre-school and office space. The area was previously used as a small lily garden, but this project implements more biodiversity-promoting features such as a bee hive, varied flowers and trees, different types of soil and insect hotels. The municipal real estate company Higab owns the park and partnered with Stadskupan, which works with urban beekeeping, biodiversity, and rewilding, to design and create the park. They also involved Vägen ut! (translates to "the way out"), a social enterprise that employs people who are far from the labour market due to substance abuse issues to help maintain the park in a socially inclusive way. The park has pedagogic features and events for local businesses and organisations as well as the public. The beehive was established in 2022, while the entire biodiversity park was established in 2023. The project will go on for three years and be evaluated yearly. [Ref. 1, 2, 3].

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)

This project, implemented in several schools across Fort-de-France in 2018, focuses on creating arboretums in schools to educate children about Martinique's native natural heritage and raise awareness of biodiversity loss. An arboretum is a curated collection of trees selected for scientific, conservation or public enjoyment.
The initiative, led by the Martinican National Botanical Conservation, is supported technically by the municipal landscaping department and administratively by the city of Fort-de-France and the Martinican School Rectorate. It includes three main activities: a seminar on Martinique's rich yet fragile botanical heritage, an excursion into a forest, and a tree planting event at schools featuring native or endangered plant species. The program has reached at least six schools in and around Fort-de-France.
(Ref. 1,2,5)

Phoenix is one of the hottest cities in the United States, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C (104°F) for more than 90 days each year. The urban heat island effect is severe here, posing a significant health risk. Many communities in Phoenix lack equal access to shade cover—often, the impact of extreme heat disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods that lack resources for tree planting and maintenance. In contrast, wealthier areas tend to have more trees and are visibly greener, which helps reduce the heat residents experience.
To address these disparities, the City of Phoenix partnered with SRP, a not-for-profit public power utility, to launch the "Right Tree, Right Place" program in 2018. This initiative aims to bring shade relief to areas most in need, such as parks, public transit stops, and schools, while replacing older trees that interfere with SRP power lines. SRP and the city work together to identify trees that pose risks to overhead power lines, and for each tree removed, three new trees are planted—either in a different location or with a species better suited to coexist with power lines.
One of the program’s notable projects took place in West Phoenix’s Cortez Park, where 24 drought-tolerant trees from four different species were planted. This diversity helps protect the trees against pests and other natural threats, ensuring their longevity and resilience. Through initiatives like these, the "Right Tree, Right Place" program contributes to Phoenix’s larger goal of developing a robust, biodiverse urban forest. By expanding green infrastructure, the city aims to reduce local temperatures, improve air quality, and create cooler, healthier neighborhoods for all residents. (1-8)