The Temporal Variation of the Microclimate and Human Thermal Comfort in Urban Wetland Parks: A Case Study of Xixi National Wetland Park, China

ABSTRACT

As an important part of the ecological infrastructure in urban areas, urban wetland parks have the significant ecological function of relieving the discomfort of people during their outdoor activities. In recent years, the specific structures and ecosystem services of urban wetland parks have been investigated from different perspectives. However, the microclimate and human thermal comfort (HTC) of urban wetland parks have rarely been discussed. In particular, the changing trends of HTC in different seasons and times have not been effectively presented. Accordingly, in this research, a monitoring platform was established in Xixi National Wetland Park, China, to continually monitor its microclimate in the long term. Via a comparison with a control site in the downtown area of Hangzhou, China, the temporal variations of the microclimate and HTC in the urban wetland park are quantified, and suggestions for clothing are also provided. The results of this study demonstrate that urban wetland parks can mitigate the heat island effect and dry island effect in summer. In addition, urban wetland parks can provide ecological services at midday during winter to mitigate the cold island effect. More importantly, urban wetland parks are found to exhibit their best performance in improving HTC during the daytime of the hot season and the midday period of the cold season. Finally, the findings of this study suggest that citizens should take protective measures and enjoy their activities in the morning, evening, or at night, not at midday in hot weather. Moreover, extra layers are suggested to be worn before going to urban wetland parks at night in cold weather, and recreational activities involving accommodation are not recommended. These findings provide not only basic scientific data for the assessment of the management and ecological health value of Xixi National Wetland Park and other urban wetland parks with subtropical monsoon climates, but also a reference for visitor timing and clothing suggestions for recreational activities.