Urban ecology
Encyclopedia
Urban ecology is a subfield of ecology
which deals with the interaction between organisms in an urban
or urbanized community, and their interaction with that community. Urban ecologists study the tree
s, river
s, wildlife
and open space
s found in cities to understand the extent of those resources and the way they are affected by pollution
, over-development and other pressures. Analysis of urban settings in the context of ecosystem ecology
(looking at the cycling of matter and the flow of energy through the ecosystem) may ultimately help us to design healthier, better managed communities, by understanding what threats the urban environment brings to humans. There is an emphasis on planning communities with an ecological design, by using alternative building materials and methods. This is in order to promote a healthy and biodiverse urban ecosystem
.
setting. When people become educated and engaged in ecological activities, be it the study of local birds, testing the quality of area water sources, cleaning up vacant land to create parks and gardens, or planting and caring for street trees, positive changes occur for both the people and the environment. For example, urban ecology transformations such as street tree projects increase social connections among urban residents which are the building block for public safety. The ability to enjoy, feel safe, and trust others in your community, is increased in areas where urban ecological tasks are performed, leading to better quality of life.
Interactions between non-living factors, such as sunlight and water, and biological factors, such as plants and microbes, take place in all environments including cities. Concentrating humans and the resources they consume in metropolitan areas alters such things as soil drainage, water flow, and light availability. For example, sidewalks and rooftops can change an area's hydrology
by increasing storm water runoff and can contribute to higher urban temperatures by storing heat energy and acting as an artificial heat sink
. There are many actions that can help reduce these problems in urban communities. Tree planting helps limit the total surface area of concrete in communities, allowing for groundwater recharge, reducing overall temperature, and helping purify air. Activities such as community gardens or home gardening in urban communities are encouraged by urban ecologists. It saves community members money, and limits demand from outside inputs into the city. Designing Green Buildings allows for less energy needed to operate commercial, industrial, or residential communities. Green building
s are designed with alternative energy sources like Solar Power
or Biogas
. Other examples of a green design would be increased insulation, green roof
s, water collection systems, compost
ing and recycling
programs, and overall efficiency.
Urban communities can support a rich and diverse ecosystem
. Biodiversity
is increased with the availability of natural resource
s to support growth. So you can support a richer biodiversity by encouraging ecological activities in communities. Depending on the location of that area, the types of organisms in that community will vary greatly. Attempting to understand the factors that make some species successful in urban environments while others perish, is a common topic of research.
Urban ecology does not necessarily make value judgments about whether urban environments are 'good' or 'bad'. Rather, urban ecology allows one to see what is happening in a community and, assist in developing ways to reach the goals that one would like to see in their community.
To apply the Urban Ecology, focusing on new housing schemes is beneficial to protect ecosystems.
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
which deals with the interaction between organisms in an urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
or urbanized community, and their interaction with that community. Urban ecologists study the tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s, river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s, wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
and open space
Open space
Open space may refer to:In urban planning and conservation ethics* Landscape, areas of land without human-built structures*Open space reserve, areas of protected or conserved land on which development is indefinitely set aside...
s found in cities to understand the extent of those resources and the way they are affected by pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
, over-development and other pressures. Analysis of urban settings in the context of ecosystem ecology
Ecosystem ecology
Ecosystem ecology is the integrated study of biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and their interactions within an ecosystem framework. This science examines how ecosystems work and relates this to their components such as chemicals, bedrock, soil, plants, and animals.Ecosystem ecology...
(looking at the cycling of matter and the flow of energy through the ecosystem) may ultimately help us to design healthier, better managed communities, by understanding what threats the urban environment brings to humans. There is an emphasis on planning communities with an ecological design, by using alternative building materials and methods. This is in order to promote a healthy and biodiverse urban ecosystem
Urban ecosystem
Urban ecosystems are the cities, towns, and urban strips constructed by humans.This is the growth in the urban population and the supporting built infrastructure has affected both urban environments and also on areas which surround urban areas...
.
Overview
By 2030 it is estimated that 60% of the global population will live in a metropolitanMetropolitan
Metropolitan may refer to:* A metropolis* A metropolitan area* A metropole, "mother country", or central part of a colonizing state* Metropolitan bishop or archbishop, leader of an ecclesiastical "mother see"...
setting. When people become educated and engaged in ecological activities, be it the study of local birds, testing the quality of area water sources, cleaning up vacant land to create parks and gardens, or planting and caring for street trees, positive changes occur for both the people and the environment. For example, urban ecology transformations such as street tree projects increase social connections among urban residents which are the building block for public safety. The ability to enjoy, feel safe, and trust others in your community, is increased in areas where urban ecological tasks are performed, leading to better quality of life.
Interactions between non-living factors, such as sunlight and water, and biological factors, such as plants and microbes, take place in all environments including cities. Concentrating humans and the resources they consume in metropolitan areas alters such things as soil drainage, water flow, and light availability. For example, sidewalks and rooftops can change an area's hydrology
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...
by increasing storm water runoff and can contribute to higher urban temperatures by storing heat energy and acting as an artificial heat sink
Heat sink
A heat sink is a term for a component or assembly that transfers heat generated within a solid material to a fluid medium, such as air or a liquid. Examples of heat sinks are the heat exchangers used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and the radiator in a car...
. There are many actions that can help reduce these problems in urban communities. Tree planting helps limit the total surface area of concrete in communities, allowing for groundwater recharge, reducing overall temperature, and helping purify air. Activities such as community gardens or home gardening in urban communities are encouraged by urban ecologists. It saves community members money, and limits demand from outside inputs into the city. Designing Green Buildings allows for less energy needed to operate commercial, industrial, or residential communities. Green building
Green building
Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
s are designed with alternative energy sources like Solar Power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
or Biogas
Biogas
Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas...
. Other examples of a green design would be increased insulation, green roof
Green roof
A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems...
s, water collection systems, compost
Compost
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. At its most essential, the process of composting requires simply piling up waste outdoors and waiting for the materials to break down from anywhere...
ing and recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
programs, and overall efficiency.
Urban communities can support a rich and diverse ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
. Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
is increased with the availability of natural resource
Natural resource
Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems....
s to support growth. So you can support a richer biodiversity by encouraging ecological activities in communities. Depending on the location of that area, the types of organisms in that community will vary greatly. Attempting to understand the factors that make some species successful in urban environments while others perish, is a common topic of research.
Urban ecology does not necessarily make value judgments about whether urban environments are 'good' or 'bad'. Rather, urban ecology allows one to see what is happening in a community and, assist in developing ways to reach the goals that one would like to see in their community.
To apply the Urban Ecology, focusing on new housing schemes is beneficial to protect ecosystems.
External links
- Urban Ecology Agency of Barcelona
- Urban Ecology Australia
- Urban Ecology Centre in Brussels, Belgium
- Baltimore Ecosystem Study
- Safari 7, Urban Ecology Podcasts
- Central Arizona - Phoenix LTER
- Principles of Ecological Design- book
- Ecological Urban Design - Archinode Studio
- ARCUE Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology
- Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee, WI
- Urban Ecology in Buenos Aires - Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento
- Urban Ecology Research Laboratory at the University of Washington
- Los Angeles: A History of the Future
- Urban Ecology Institute (Cambridge, MA)
- Center for Urban Restoration Ecology
- BioCity@UniSA research centre
- Center for Urban Ecology at Butler University
- The Trust for Urban Ecology, London
- Perspectives on Urban Ecology III