Project 10/2: Urban green space management under climate change

Urbanization poses significant environmental and societal challenges, including habitat destruction, pollution, and increased vulnerability to climate change. In Palestine, rapid urbanization is compounded by factors like land scarcity and institutional gaps. To address these challenges, innovative approaches like green infrastructure are essential. Our research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of wicking beds as a green infrastructure solution on rooftop gardens in Hebron City, Palestine. Specifically, we aim to assess whether native wild plant mixtures in wicking beds enhance pollination services, increase insect pollinator diversity, and improve crop yield. Such win-win strategies could help in increasing the acceptance for green roofs even in areas where biodiversity conservation may not be of the highest priority.

Our primary goal is to investigate the effectiveness and applicability of wicking beds in rooftop gardens. We seek to understand how native wild plants in wicking beds contribute to enhancing pollination services and increasing insect biodiversity while improving crop yield. By doing so, we aim to provide valuable insights into the feasibility and benefits of using wicking beds as a sustainable solution for urban agriculture in Hebron City and similar contexts.

Our research methodology involves comprehensive field experimentation and data collection. We have installed wicking beds on rooftop gardens in Hebron City, utilizing a randomized block design to compare different treatments. These treatments include mixed cultures of vegetable crops and native wild flowering plants, as well as monoculture vegetable plots. We employ standardized methods for sampling pollinators, including visual observation, sweep nets, and sticky trapping. Data on pollinator richness and abundance, crop yield parameters, and environmental factors are meticulously recorded and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. This rigorous approach allows us to evaluate the performance of wicking beds in enhancing biodiversity, pollination services, and crop productivity in urban environments.

Through our research, we aim to generate evidence-based recommendations for implementing and managing rooftop gardens with wicking beds, contributing to sustainable urban agriculture and green infrastructure initiatives in Hebron City and beyond.

Team

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