Study identifies great potential for forest restoration in urban fringe areas

These peripheral areas are characterized by diverse land uses, such as residential neighborhoods, agricultural land, recreational spaces, urban infrastructure, and aquatic zones. They are not normally included in surveys of potential restoration areas.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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Aerial view of the Parelheiros region in the municipality of São Paulo. Urban fringes have multiple uses, including housing, forests, pastures, and food cultivation 

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Credit: Luciana Schwandner Ferreira/BIOTA Synthesis

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) by researchers from the Nucleus of Analysis and Synthesis of Nature-Based Solutions (BIOTA Synthesis), a FAPESP Science Center for Development (SCD), identified approximately 410,000 hectares in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with potential for forest restoration in urban fringe areas.

These peripheral areas of urban centers are characterized by diverse land uses, such as residential neighborhoods, agricultural land, recreational spaces, urban infrastructure, and aquatic zones. They are not normally included in surveys of potential restoration areas. The findings of the study are equivalent to nearly one-third of the state’s goal of restoring 1.5 million hectares by 2050.

The results of the study were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

“These are interesting areas because they’re close to cities and people, which maximizes the benefits of restoration. We saw that regeneration has exceeded deforestation since 2005, despite urban pressure,” Luciana Schwandner Ferreira explains to Agência FAPESP. She is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Studies (IEA) at USP and the lead author of the study, which was funded by a scholarship from FAPESP.

The research analyzed three decades (1990-2020) of deforestation and regeneration data collected by the MapBiomas project across the state of São Paulo. MapBiomas is a collaborative network formed by non-governmental organizations, universities, and technology startups that maps land cover and land use in Brazil. For the first time, the research distinguished between dense urban areas, urban fringes, and rural areas. The results show that forest transition has already occurred in all regions studied. Urban fringes show the highest rates of regeneration, albeit with limited support from public policies.

“Even without specific policies, urban fringes already show significant regeneration rates, indicating significant potential for forest restoration. This process could be stimulated and expanded through public policies focused on these areas, bringing restoration closer to the 96% of the state’s population that currently lives in cities,” says Jean Paul Metzger, a professor at the Institute of Biosciences (IB) at USP and coordinator of BIOTA Synthesis, who led the study.

The São Paulo macrometropolis, a region comprising 174 municipalities, is an interesting case for considering restoration on urban fringes. Its proximity to well-preserved areas, such as the Serra do Mar State Park and other conservation units, may facilitate natural regeneration and reduce costs. In cases where active planting is necessary, proximity to the most populous area of the state facilitates access to labor and job creation.

According to the researchers, restoration projects are easier to implement in areas where the opportunity cost of land is low – that is, where the land’s value and potential gains from other uses are low. However, the environmental and social benefits are amplified when these projects are carried out near cities.

In addition to promoting biodiversity and protecting the environment, restoring urban and peri-urban areas can contribute to human health and well-being, regulate the climate, mitigate extreme events, improve water and air quality, and provide recreational spaces.

Numbers

The 410,000 hectares with restoration potential are equivalent to 51% of the total area of these regions. Of these, 235,000 hectares are located in the São Paulo macrometropolis, directly benefiting 32.7 million people.

Thirty-nine thousand hectares of the total potential areas are in regions that are both at risk and subject to permanent preservation (APP), such as riverbanks and hilltops. These areas require urgent restoration under the Brazilian Forest Code (Law No. 12,651/2012).

“More detailed studies on ecological and socioeconomic suitability still need to be carried out to guide which strategies are most appropriate in each case,” says Ferreira.

The study acknowledges that urban fringes are highly contested territories, often earmarked for urban expansion or agriculture, particularly small-scale family farming. Therefore, restoration efforts will need to coexist with other uses. The researchers take into account the need to mitigate social risks, such as the displacement of vulnerable populations or gentrification processes associated with environmental improvement.

The authors also emphasize that urban fringes have many different actors and socio-environmental characteristics. This requires the types of restoration to be defined in a contextualized manner. In some cases, natural regeneration and ecological restoration are prioritized. In others, it is productive models that integrate the cultivation of native species for food and wood. In certain contexts, the focus is on objectives related to urban green infrastructure.

The work was also supported by FAPESP through the project “Resilience and adaptation to climate change in cities: time to act with nature-based solutions” and postdoctoral fellowships (22/07415-0 and 22/09161-6).

About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe.

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Journal

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-025-19699-9 

Article Title

Urban boundaries are an underexplored frontier for ecological restoration

Cities missing out on nature-based solutions that could boost climate resilience, global experts warn

University of Surrey

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Unintended and positive effects of green and blue infrastructure

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Credit: University of Surrey

With climate change expected to intensify heatwaves, flooding and air pollution in cities worldwide, why are we not tapping into the full potential of nature-based solutions? An international study led by the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) in collaboration with 86 specialists across 11 countries explores the current barriers hindering the implementation of green and blue infrastructure (GBI) that could help build climate resilience – such as parks, trees, rivers, wetlands and green roofs. 

Drawing on more than 500 scientific papers and insights, this research provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of why GBI projects often fail to achieve their intended impact, offering actionable strategies for practitioners and policymakers to enhance GBI resilience across diverse urban settings. 

Where previous studies have focused on the benefits of GBI, this new review examines 21 critical but overlooked factors spanning four interconnected domains: technical and systems integration challenges, social and economic barriers, and governance gaps.  

Among these are conflicts with net-zero and renewable energy targets, research fragmentation, unintended environmental consequences such as allergenic pollen or greenhouse gas emissions from poorly designed wetlands, fragmented regulations and the persistent undervaluation of biodiversity and social equity. Researchers also identified social barriers, cultural misalignment, safety and security concerns, low public adoption, the need for more resilient plant species, design taste differences and weak policy integration as significant obstacles. 

Professor Prashant Kumar, Founding Director of the University of Surrey’ Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainability, and lead author of the study, said: 

“We all want to see more city parks, more street trees, canals and living plant walls as green and blue infrastructure is increasingly recognised as vital for cooling cities, reducing flood risk, cutting air pollution and improving mental and physical health. However, our research shows implementation too often lags behind policy priorities. It has been a pleasure to lead this unique high-quality work, contributed by a multidisciplinary team of experts from four continents.” 

Published in The Innovation, the study presents twelve recommendations to help integrate GBI more effectively into urban areas. These include creating context-specific design frameworks, investing equitably in underserved neighbourhoods, developing innovative financing such as green bonds and embedding participatory approaches that give communities a genuine voice in shaping their environment. 

Dr Maria Athanassiadou, Scientific Manager of Urban Climate Applications team at the UK Met Office, and co-author of the paper, said: 

“The work brings together environmental and social scientists, engineers, economists, urban planners and stakeholders to map 21 underexplored barriers to the implementation of nature-based solutions in the real world, across environmental, social, economic, governance and policy domains. In bringing together such a wide range of disciplines and international perspectives, we have been able to show not just what works, but why it sometimes doesn’t.” 

Dr Ajit Ahlawat, co-author of the paper from Delft University of Technology, said: 

“This provides empirical evidence that green and blue infrastructure constitutes a practical, actionable pathway for immediate climate action. By enabling policymakers to mainstream nature-based solutions, it offers a means to reduce emissions, mitigate climate risks, enhance urban resilience, and advance net-zero targets, while promoting healthier and more equitable cities for current and future generations.” 

This work has been carried out under the framework of UKRI Funded RECLAIM Network Plus (EP/W034034/1) and the GP4Streets (UKRI1281) projects. The research builds on Surrey’s long-standing leadership in nature-based solutions and clean air research, including major international collaborations through its Global Centre for Clean Air Research and Institute for Sustainability. The work directly supports global initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal and the Paris Climate Agreement, positioning Surrey and its partners at the forefront of sustainable urban development. 

[ENDS] 

Notes to editors 

• Professor Prashant Kumar is available for interview; please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange. 

• The full paper can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2025.101184 

• Reference: Kumar, P., et al., 2025 - Overlooked Considerations in Prescribing Green and Blue Infrastructure Solutions for Urban Environments. The Innovation 

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Journal

The Innovation

DOI

10.1016/j.xinn.2025.101184 

Article Title

Overlooked Considerations in Prescribing Green and Blue Infrastructure Solutions for Urban Environments

Article Publication Date

19-Nov-2025

 

Kelp farming is expensive, but a new resource points to lower costs

University of Maine

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Kelson Marine and collaborators sample kelp grown on an open-ocean seaweed farm. 

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Credit: Photo by Toby Dewhurst.

Farming kelp to sell as food, beauty products, fertilizer additives and other goods is a growing industry in Maine, but also a costly one. One key barrier for new farmers is a lack of cost-analysis tools to help reduce expenditures and develop sustainable business plans. 

Researchers from Kelson Marine in Portland, Maine and the University of Maine developed a new tool that provides detailed economic analyses for kelp farmers and reveals strategies for reducing the cost of farmed seaweed. It accounts for differences in site selection, weather, crop size and dozens of other scenario-specific factors. It can be used for operations nearshore and offshore, like large-scale farms in the Gulf of Maine that are fully exposed to nor-easter driven waves. 

“By using this tool to investigate the comprehensive implications of any given farm design or operational decision, we can help kelp farmers meaningfully reduce production costs and achieve economic sustainability,” said project lead Zach Moscicki, ocean engineer with Kelson Marine. “The tool allows us to carefully navigate the multitude of tradeoffs associated with any such decision and avoid leaning into overly narrow-scoped improvements that may reduce costs in one way, but increase costs or reduce production via some other indirect but connected pathway.” 

The tool incorporates many different factors from a farming scenario, including site specific-ocean and meteorological conditions, species-specific crop characteristics and growth, workboat types and sizes, labor structures, operational technology, local shore-side infrastructure, maintenance schedules and more. 

By resolving the comprehensive impact on the bottom line and the multitude of tradeoffs associated with specific operational and farm design decisions, the tool provides unique insight into the implications of cost-saving alternatives. These can include on-board kelp processing or storage techniques, or using various machinery to increase operation speeds. 

To test the tool, researchers used it to analyze the production costs of a hypothetical sugar kelp farming operation occupying 1000 acres, located about 12 miles from shore and placed 330 feet below the surface. Several scenarios, including multiple farm designs and operational models, were evaluated to understand the inherent impacts on farming at such a site. 

The tool predicted that operating a kelp farm that is simply designed for low structural costs and high production volume would cost $2618 per tonne of fresh kelp. However, by testing design and operational decisions via the tool, the team was able to identify significant improvements that, when combined, reduced the cost of production by 85% to $383 per tonne of fresh kelp. These improvements included deeper cultivation lines, mechanized harvest and seeding operations, processing the kelp on-site into a slurry, optimizing vessel sizes and selecting different vessels.

The team from Kelson Marine and UMaine was supported by scientists from the University of New Hampshire, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Vertical Bay Maine. 

The framework for this tool and case study findings are published in Algal Research. Kelp farmers in Maine and beyond who are interested in receiving analyses from this tool can contact Moscicki at z.moscicki@kelsonmarine.com.

This work was supported with funding from Conscience Bay Research, The Builders Initiative and Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Structural analysis tools developed and validated under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (ARPA-e MARINER) program were applied in this study.

This tool is the latest example of how UMaine students and faculty are preserving and propelling the state’s blue economy, industries that use ocean resources for economic growth without jeopardizing the environment. 

Through innovation and workforce development, the university broadens insight into ecological and socioeconomic changes that affect the state’s coastal communities and businesses. Its faculty and students are also exploring opportunities for new sectors and markets. 

“What is exciting about this new model is that it is the most comprehensive and detailed cost analysis of offshore kelp growth in the U.S. to date,” said Damian Brady, professor of marine sciences at UMaine. “And this type of analysis helps us find pain points where investments in technology can rapidly change the cost-benefit analysis.” 

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Journal

Algal Research

DOI

10.1016/j.algal.2025.104383 

Article Title

Comprehensive quantification of production costs for large-scale kelp aquaculture and cost reduction opportunities

 

An integrated approach to cybersecurity is key to reducing critical infrastructure vulnerability

University of Vaasa

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Bahaa Eltahawy

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As our society becomes more digital and interconnected, the systems that keep it running face growing vulnerability to cyber threats. Bahaa Eltahawy’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa, Finland, shows that safeguarding these networks requires a holistic approach.

From power grids and transport to healthcare systems, the functioning of modern society relies on interconnected networks. When these systems fail, the consequences ripple quickly across sectors. In his doctoral dissertation in Computer Science, Bahaa Eltahawy argues that ensuring their security is not just a technical challenge but a societal necessity requiring coordination between technology, governance, and human behaviour.

– Digitalisation has created vast interconnections between systems that were once isolated. The danger lies in cascading effects, where a failure in one sector triggers a collapse in others, causing widespread disruption across society. In two or three days, we’re gonna find ourselves living like it’s the Stone Age, Eltahawy notes.

Cybersecurity, cyberprivacy, and smart grid operations have been studied extensively, but often as separate domains. To address this fragmentation, the dissertation provides a model that expands protection into seven domains, including data governance, socio-technical factors, and risk analysis.

– When protection is viewed from only one angle, new problems inevitably emerge from another. We need experts from different disciplines to complement each other's knowledge, Eltahawy points out.

Protection is a continuous process, not a one-time fix

The study also reveals that many existing standards, such as those governing data protection, cybersecurity frameworks, and smart grid architecture, have limitations that prevent them from addressing cross-sectoral risks. By analysing the weaknesses of these standards, Eltahawy’s work shows where gaps exist and how coordinated strategies can strengthen resilience.

Ultimately, Eltahawy emphasises that critical infrastructure protection is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between technical experts, managers, and decision-makers.

– Once we believe our systems are safe, that is when they start to weaken. Protection is a continuous and adaptive process that must evolve alongside new risks and technologies, explains Eltahawy.

Dissertation

Eltahawy, Bahaa (2025). An Integration of Cyberprivacy, Cybersecurity, and Smart Grid Strategies for Protecting Critical Infrastructure. Acta Wasaensia 569. Doctoral dissertation. University of Vaasa.

Publication PDF

Public defence

The public examination of M.Sc. Bahaa Eltahawy’s doctoral dissertation ”An Integration of Cyberprivacy, Cybersecurity, and Smart Grid Strategies for Protecting Critical Infrastructure” will be held on Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 12 (UTC+2) at the University of Vaasa, auditorium Kurtén.

It is possible to participate in the defence also online: 
https://uwasa.zoom.us/j/61748516657?pwd=bToIu1b69wWB0L4CXomtXU4pHOEG8X.1
Password: 884858

Professor Seppo Virtanen (University of Turku, Finland) will act as opponent and Professor Tero Vartiainen (University of Vaasa, Finland) as custos.

Further information

Bahaa Eltahawy, tel. +358 29 449 8506, bahaa.eltahawy@uwasa.fi

Bahaa Eltahawy was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1985. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Vaasa. Eltahawy is currently finalising a Masters degree in Project Management while working as a Project Researcher at the University of Vaasa.

Goethe University and the Initiative for CryptoCurrencies and Contracts partner to advance transatlantic cybersecurity research

Collaboration set within Goethe University’s affiliation with the ATHENE National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity seeks to develop solutions for emerging digital threats

Goethe University Frankfurt

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FRANKFURT / NEW YORK. Goethe University and the Initiative for CryptoCurrencies and Contracts (IC3) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish closer research cooperation between the Frankfurt-based university and the blockchain research consortium based at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech. The new strategic partnership marks a significant step in advancing transatlantic academic collaboration on critical cybersecurity research.  

The MoU lays the foundation for closer institutional ties between IC3 and the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE – Europe’s largest cybersecurity research center, of which Goethe University is a member. The collaboration will focus on several key areas, including joint research initiatives in cryptography and trusted hardware, AI security, privacy-enhancing technologies, web3 infrastructure development and interfaces with web2, and policy development for responsible technology governance. The partnership also foresees coordinated approaches to European and international cybersecurity standards, facilitating researcher mobility, and identifying opportunities for collaborative funding through European, German, and U.S. research programs.

The MoU aligns with ATHENE’s and Goethe University’s broader strategy to coordinate cybersecurity research across leading European and international institutions, and complements ongoing efforts within Germany’s cybersecurity policy framework, European digital independence initiatives, and transatlantic research coordination. To that end, the MoU will help position ATHENE as a central hub for connecting with leading North American research institutions. Whereas ATHENE and its contributing organizations bring extensive expertise in applied cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure protection, IC3 contributes significant strength in cybersecurity innovation, policy research, and emerging technology governance. Together, the two institutions aim to accelerate breakthrough research and develop solutions for emerging digital threats affecting transatlantic security. The first joint research activities are planned for early 2026.

Prof. Enrico Schleiff, President of Goethe University Frankfurt: “This agreement underscores our commitment to building strong international research networks to address complex security challenges. Our partnership with IC3 establishes a vital transatlantic bridge for cybersecurity research and policy development. Such collaborations enhance our ability to protect critical infrastructure, promote responsible AI, and sustain open scientific exchange across borders.”

Prof. Greg Morrisett, Jack and Rilla Neafsey Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech: “This partnership exemplifies Cornell Tech’s mission to bridge leading research institutions and foster collaborative innovation on critical global challenges. By establishing these connections with IC3, ATHENE, and Goethe University, we create a transatlantic network that accelerates research on cybersecurity and AI governance – challenges that transcend borders and demand the best minds working together across continents. This collaboration strengthens IC3 and Cornell Tech’s role as a hub for international scientific cooperation grounded in merit and shared values.”

Prof. Michael Waidner, CEO of ATHENE, Professor at TU Darmstadt and Director of Fraunhofer SIT: “This Memorandum of Understanding links Europe’s leading center for applied cybersecurity and AI with one of North America’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. Together with Goethe University and IC3, we will advance research that strengthens the security and resilience of digital infrastructures on both sides of the Atlantic. This partnership unites complementary strengths in research, application, and policy to deliver practical solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s cyber threats.”

Prof. Haya Schulmann, ATHENE Board Member and Professor at Goethe University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science: “This partnership with Cornell is a strategic step to strengthen ATHENE’s international engagement and position European cybersecurity research within key North American networks. IC3’s expertise in technology and policy complements our applied research strengths. By launching this collaboration now, we’re laying the groundwork for deeper transatlantic cooperation on shared security challenges.”

Prof. Ari Juels, Weill Family Foundation and Joan and Sanford I. Weill Professor at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute and Co-Director of IC3: “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing cutting-edge research in cybersecurity and AI. By connecting European and North American research communities, we’re strengthening transatlantic scientific cooperation and exploring global security challenges together. The combination of ATHENE’s applied research expertise and IC3’s innovation ecosystem creates exceptional opportunities in areas like cryptography, blockchain security, and responsible AI.”

The Initiative for CryptoCurrencies and Contracts (IC3) is the leading academic research consortium advancing the science and real-world applications of blockchain technology. Based at the Jacobs Institute at Cornell Tech in New York City, IC3 brings together interdisciplinary faculty and students from over a dozen top universities, with expertise spanning cryptography, AI, distributed systems, programming languages, game theory, economics, and technology policy. IC3 has pioneered foundational research in smart contract security, high-performance blockchain protocols, trusted execution environments (TEEs), Maximal Extractable Value (MEV), and decentralized finance (DeFi). IC3 researchers and alumni have created influential tools and foundational concepts, spawned blockchain unicorns, and published research that shapes scientific research, industry practice, and responsible technology governance. For more information, visit initc3.org.

ATHENE is Germany’s National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity. Established in 2019 by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture (HMWK), ATHENE is a research center of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with its institutes SIT and IGD and with participation of Technical University of Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Today, ATHENE is Europe’s largest and leading research center for cybersecurity, conducting mission-driven, cutting-edge research that delivers measurable impact for government, industry and society.