This study presents a series of empirical investigations in Kyoto and Sapporo, Japan, examining the spatial patterns of plant biodiversity, ecosystem services, and urban green space use. Following the ecological framework of pattern–process–function, this research integrates urban ecological processes with human activities.
Case 1 examined plant diversity in Kyoto through field surveys of over 200 plots (20 × 20 m) across diverse land-use types, documenting species richness, abundance, and structural traits. Approximately 250 species were identified. The multi-scale and multi-dimension biodiversity evaluation reveals that residential areas play an important role in sustaining urban biodiversity.
Case 2 quantified ecosystem services of urban trees using the i-Tree model, estimating carbon storage, CO₂ sequestration, air purification, and stormwater regulation. While residential areas provided the highest aggregate services, commercial areas exhibited superior per-tree ecosystem services. This case study underscores the importance of scale and spatial heterogeneity in urban ecosystem assessment. 
Following case 2, case 3 mapped the spatial distribution of ecosystem services using Empirical Bayesian Kriging and hotspot analysis, revealing that service hotspots cluster in residential areas. And ecosystem services correlate positively with parks, schools, and tourist destinations. This case study provides quantitative evidence for strategic green space planning.
Case 4 analyzed urban park visitation patterns and related driving factors in Sapporo using mobile phone location data and machine learning. Results showed that centrally located parks with complex landscapes attract daytime visitors, while areas with commercial amenities facilitate longer nighttime stays, with accessibility mediated by public transit infrastructure.
Collectively, these studies contribute a Japanese perspective to urban ecology research and offer transferable insights for high-density Asian cities. They demonstrate how integrating biodiversity assessment, ecosystem service quantification, and human mobility analysis can inform evidence-based urban ecosystem management and advance the design of sustainable, nature-inclusive cities.

urban biodiversity,ecosystem service,green space,big data,human mobility