This thesis set out to investigate the processes that determine the richness and composition of plant communities of spontaneously colonized derelict land in Metro Halifax, Nova Scotia. As urbanization rates continue to rise urban spontaneous vegetation (USV) communities are becoming more common. While typically considered to have no or negative economic value, USV contributes to a variety of ecosystem services not captured in current urban ecosystem models. Vascular plant composition and aboitic conditions of three urban communities (USV, forest and lawn) are described in Chapter 2. USV is diverse and unique, but the abiotic variables measured were not strong predictors of plant diversity. In Chapter 3, ecosystem services provided by the three urban habitats were quantified and compared, showing USV provides several ecosystem services that complement other urban habitats. Studies of urban biodiversity aid in the understanding of the effects of urbanization on biota and serve as a foundation for encouraging diverse communities of organisms within cities. Factors influencing the distribution and composition of USV communities could be vital for preserving native species by incorporating such knowledge into planning and urban development systems. USV should be considered an asset to urban greening initiatives, providing a low-cost, low maintenance approach to landscape planning, while providing a number of ecosystem benefits not provided by traditional elements of landscape design.

During the 21st century, more people will reside in cities than in rural areas for the first time in human history. As cities expand to accommodate their growing population, pressure is mounting on local biodiversity and the ecosystems they support. This prompted the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity - in collaboration with the City of Singapore - to develop a biodiversity index specifically for cities. In 2014, the final draft of the City Biodiversity Index was released. Twenty-three indicators comprise three categories that assess: native biodiversity, ecosystem services, and municipal support for local biodiversity. A case-study was designed for Starkville, MS to better understand the merits of the index and its application to small rural town planning. The research illuminated the breadth and flexibility of the index across multiple scales and the availability of local resources to deliver a meaningful biodiversity analysis.

No description available.

Urbanization is a growing threat to biodiversity across the globe. As more and more habitats are being destroyed and species extinction rates are rising, we have started looking at how we might decrease this loss of biodiversity. One answer is changing our urban environments to more biodiversity friendly ones. Since conditions within a city and a natural landscape might differ, it is important to understand how landscape variables affect biodiversity in urban areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate how landscape variables (Coniferous/mixed forest, Open uncultivated land, Fields, Deciduous forest, Water, High and Low urban development, and Industrial area) affect bird diversity, richness, and community assembly in a small city in central Sweden. Surveys were conducted on 33 sites. Results from a multiple regression comparing the environmental variables to richness or diversity showed that Water was positively correlated to both diversity and richness. A redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that bird species assemblage was significantly affected by Coniferous/mixed forest, Water, and Fields when the whole bird community was considered. However, when only passerines were included in the RDA, Urban development and Coniferous/mixed forest had the strongest impact. When conservation efforts are made in urban areas, these variables need to be considered since they are correlated with different species and they might not be the same ones that are associated with richness or diversity of birds.

Lawn is a homogenized element of modern urban green space. Due to historical and cultural characteristics of Swedish urban planning, lawns are the main common typology in Uppsala (77.3%). Despite the strong attachment of Uppsala people to green carpets, the multibillion lawn industry is highly costly in terms of maintenance and management. It is also a source of pollution due to excessive mowing regime. In this research, social, cultural and regulatory motives behind establishment and management of Uppsala lawns among different stakeholders were researched and discussed through a transdisciplinary approach. In the light of three pillars of sustainability, I had a closer look at management and establishment of lawns in Uppsala municipality and Uppsala’s housing corporation. It was found out that social and recreational aspects of lawns are very much appreciated among all respondents. However, economical and environmental aspects of lawns are barley discussed among planners, managers and politicians and they are under the veil of social values. This research also found out that there is a strong attachment of general public to lawns. It can be explained by lacking of ecological knowledge and environmental understanding about the real role of lawns in urban biodiversity. One of the goals of my research was to find sustainable alternative solutions to the conventional lawns that can be implemented on city and neighbourhood scale as well as to educate public and professionals about importance of lawn’s biodiversity. / LAWN project

Increasing human populations results in fast-growing urbanization. Natural and semi-natural landscapes are replaced with urban landscape features like roads, sidewalks, industrial and residential buildings. The remnants of the natural landscapes are left fragmented and are often managed by frequent mowing and trimming of the vegetation. This development has had a negative impact on pollinators such as bees and wasps. Bees and wasps are pollinating insects providing an ecosystem service that sustain the global food supply. Pollinators are important also in urban landscapes where their services are needed for ecological stability and biodiversity. This study compares 23 locations in Sollentuna municipality, to investigate if species richness and abundance of bees and wasps are correlated with local factors, landscape factors or both. The available food resources are measured in buffer zones with 200m radius. Local variables are: dead wood, exposed sand, extended edge zones, flowering plant species richness and unmanaged habitat. The result showed that the landscape factor of food availability was more important for the abundance of pollinators while local variables together with the landscape factor of food availability had a positive effect on the species richness.

The purpose of this practicum is to develop a dynamic and flexible site plan and management strategy which allows Terwillegar Park, in Edmonton, Alberta, to evolve into a place rich in species biodiversity and of high ecological function; that challenges public perception of nature in the city while fostering environmental appreciation and stewardship; and which celebrates its unique identity within the North Saskatchewan River Valley. A review of the pertinent City of Edmonton municipal development plan, environmental goals/policy, parks planning and recreation planning documents are completed, as they apply to the long term planning and development of Terwillegar Park. The implied objectives derived from these documents will then be combined with a qualitative inventory and analysis, and ultimately reconciled through a site plan design and management strategy.

The purpose of this practicum is to develop a dynamic and flexible site plan and management strategy which allows Terwillegar Park, in Edmonton, Alberta, to evolve into a place rich in species biodiversity and of high ecological function; that challenges public perception of nature in the city while fostering environmental appreciation and stewardship; and which celebrates its unique identity within the North Saskatchewan River Valley. A review of the pertinent City of Edmonton municipal development plan, environmental goals/policy, parks planning and recreation planning documents are completed, as they apply to the long term planning and development of Terwillegar Park. The implied objectives derived from these documents will then be combined with a qualitative inventory and analysis, and ultimately reconciled through a site plan design and management strategy.

A majority of the world’s cities are situated in or near areas of high biodiversity. Rise in global urban population resulting in rapid urban expansions (larger cities) is a threat to urban biodiversity, which has implications for the ecological health and general well being of humans. The study exploits consistent global land use data to compare 102 cities across the globe on a measure of urban biodiversity, within 15 km and 30 km from the approximate centres of the cities. Cities with high population and higher percentage of land use dedicated to artificial infrastructure recorded lower percentage size reserved for natural habitat, and vice versa. Further testing in regression analysis with birds and plants species as response variables shows a relation with urban extent and size of natural habitat which seeks to promote sustaining ecosystems services. Since urban biodiversity has implications for human ecological health, its indicators must be constantly measured and monitored, while adhering to best practices that conserve nature.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(地球環境学) / 甲第24154号 / 地環博第232号 / 新制||地環||44(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院地球環境学舎地球環境学専攻 / (主査)教授 柴田 昌三, 准教授 深町 加津枝, 教授 瀬戸口 浩彰 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Global Environmental Studies / Kyoto University / DFAM