Evaluation of urban green space, spatial composition and configuration in air pollution reduction: A landscape ecology approach

Urban green space is a social structure with the advantage of reducing pollution and unpleasant effects. A quantitative study of green space spatial composition and configuration hasn’t been carried out before. Urban natural units operation is dependent on green space patches spatial composition and configuration. Spatial composition and configuration of green space patches on air pollution in Mashhad is discussed in current study. Landsat 8 images in 2013 were used to produce the land coverage maps. Composition and configuration of green space patches were determined using FRAGSTATS software and seven landscape metrics (PLAND, PARA, GYRATE, ENN, PD, AREA and CONTAG). Air pollution monitoring stations data was used to find the correlation of green space patches composition and configuration and air pollutants (SO2, CO, NO, NO2, NOX and PM 2.5). Results showed a significant correlation between composition and configuration of land vegetation and SO2, CO,NO, NO2, NOX and PM 2.5.

Keywords:

Air Pollution , Landscape Ecology , Green Space , Landscape Metrics , Remote Sensing