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Accelerating rates of urbanization create novel compilations of species in urban ecosystems which experience unprecedented proximity to large human populations. Although an integral part of these urban ecosystems, mammals are difficult to study in urbanized areas. However, questions regarding urban mammalian ecology, such as the maintenance or disruption of predator-prey relationships, are vital to understanding what impacts anthropogenic factors may exert on the functions of urban ecosystems. We show that non-trapping hair equipment can effectively collect hair samples from two mammal groups – small mammals and mesopredators – in urban areas for the purpose of addressing ecological questions. We deployed non-trapping hair collection equipment at 16 different parks, preserves, and nature areas along the urbanization gradient of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We collected a total of 354 small mammal and 41 mesopredator hair samples. Of these samples, 58 small mammal samples and 14 mesopredator samples were of adequate weight for stable isotope analysis. We analyzed relationships between δ15N and δ13C values from each species and percent impervious surface (our proxy for urbanization) to explore potential shifts in mammal diets. Our results indicated a decoupling of predator-prey relationships between mesopredators and small mammals, particularly in urban spaces and suggested that mesopredators may be relying upon anthropogenic food subsidies. Our methodology was not only effective in addressing an ecological question, but it also provided a unique opportunity to connect with community members through QR code labels attached to our field equipment. Non-trapping hair collection methods offer a viable way to collect useful samples in urban areas while also fostering connections between community members and field research occurring in their neighborhoods. / Biology

Den rådande biodiversitetskrisen hotar de ekosystemtjänster som mänskligheten är beroende av och behovet av naturvård är därför stort. Försoningsekologi är en alternativ naturvårdsstrategi som syftar till att modifiera antropogena miljöer så de kan nyttjas av både människan och en mångfald av andra arter. Strategin är särskilt relevant i städer eftersom traditionell naturvård, i form av reservering och restaurering, ofta är svårtillämpad där. Mot den bakgrunden syftar den här litteraturöversikten till att undersöka effektiviteten av urban försoningsekologi som naturvårdsstrategi. För att uppfylla syftet sammanställdes studier som undersökt hur olika försoningsekologiska åtgärder kan påverka biodiversiteten i urbana miljöer. Litteraturgenomgången visar att alla analyserade åtgärder, inklusive modifierade grönområden, gröna korridorer, anlagda våtmarker och dammar, vegeterade byggnader, utfodring, holkar och insektshotell kan främja biodiversiteten och erbjuda habitat för särskilt skyddsvärda arter i städer. Interventioner som skapar stora, sammankopplade, skyddade, varierade och lågintensivt skötta habitat med en mångfald av inhemska växtarter har visat sig vara särskilt effektiva. Diversiteten är dock ofta lägre, och artkompositionen annorlunda, jämfört med habitatens naturliga motsvarighet. Dessutom finns det en risk att åtgärderna skapar ekologiska fällor, sprider invasiva arter och bidrar till biotisk homogenisering. Metoden får därför inte legitimera minskade investeringar i traditionell naturvård. Samtidigt har strategiskt utformad försoningsekologi potential att utgöra ett viktigt komplement som utöver naturvård dessutom kan fylla många andra funktioner i urbana miljöer. Det är därför angeläget med fortsatt forskning, engagemang och samarbete för utvecklingen av effektiva försoningsekologiska naturvårdsåtgärder som kan bromsa förlusten av biologisk mångfald i städer och bidra till en hållbar utveckling.

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Human development continues to use up more physical space in the natural world, threatening the natural habitats of many organisms. To combat the loss of biodiversity science needs to explore what landscape features are important for different organisms so that we can incorporate these into the modern environment. As bats play an important role in many ecosystems and can reflect changes through trophic levels, analyzing their preferred habitats can help planners improve biological diversity of the urban habitat. Using acoustically identified bat sightings from Artportalen.se for the years 2017-2018, this paper studied the habitats of bats in Sweden. Through multiple regression analysis we examine the response in abundance and/or diversity of bats to physical and socio-cultural attributes of the urban habitat. We examined a total of 10160 bats from 18 species in 418 land cover locales and 306 demographical statistical areas with varying degrees of urbanization. Our results indicate that bat abundance and diversity decrease significantly with higher urbanization while deciduous forests are the most important land cover type for all bats. The results also indicate that wealthier areas have less abundance and diversity even when factoring in population density. Species specific analysis suggested that bat species who are better adapted at foraging in open vegetated landscapes and over water were less susceptible to the negative impacts of the urban habitat. We conclude that diverse habitats with a mixture of open vegetated areas, watercourses and broadleaf forests are the most important land features for a diverse bat fauna along with high connectivity via tree cover and linear landscape elements. If urban planning could incorporate these features into the urban habitat, some of the negative impacts of urbanization could be prevented.

Urban acoustic ecology is an emerging field focused on furthering our understanding of how the sounds within urban development impact the surrounding soundscape and biodiversity. Human noise, otherwise known as anthrophonies, are known to negatively impact wildlife by impeding communication and lowering species richness. With urban population expected to grow profoundly within the next 30 years, it is critical to explore the acoustical relationship between the environment and wildlife for future management and urban development planning. I investigated how the physical landscape impacts the urban/peri-urban soundscape through acoustic indices within the greenspaces of Denton, Texas. Specifically, I found that the percentage of impervious surfaces have a significant negative impact on the coefficient of variation of the acoustic index ADI (Acoustic Diversity Index). ADI is used to calculate the occupancy of sounds within a frequency wave. Further, I investigated how the combination of landscape characteristics and acoustic indices predict avian species richness and rarity. My results show that richness and rarity was positively related to ADI; on the other hand, a soundscape with higher ADI (CV) scores, meaning consistent anthrophonies such as distance vehicle traffic, was related to higher richness and rarity. My research indicates that there is a relationship between the physical environment, ADI, and avian richness and rarity which showcases how acoustic monitoring can be a valuable tool for management and development protocols.

Li Wai Man Ruth. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 1998-99, design report." / Includes bibliographical references (leave 67 (last gp.)). / Acknowledgement / Chapter 1.0 --- Site Analysis / Chapter 2.0 --- Urban Startegy / Chapter 3.0 --- Design Concept and Develpoment / Chapter 4.0 --- Program / Chapter 5.0 --- Evironmental Issues / Chapter 6.0 --- Secnario of Center / Chapter 7.0 --- Conclusion/Comments / Chapter 8.0 --- Presentationand Final Products / Appendix / Chapter - --- Precedents / Blibiography / Attachment / Chapter - --- Reserch and Programming Report

This study focuses on the vegetation of the African city of Bujumbura, Burundi. Urban flora is detailed according to the origin of the species (native or introduced), their life form, the use of these species by the local population and their behaviour (invasive or not). <p>The correlation between different natural and anthropogenic environmental factors and the composition of plant communities has been demonstrated through the analysis of vegetation plots. Three types of green areas were studied: spontaneous vegetation on terra firma, wetlands <p>and domestic gardens.<p><p>The main ecological factor correlated to the composition of the spontaneous vegetation of terra firma is the degree of urbanization. From the suburb to the city centre, savannah species typical for the region are replaced by alien invasive species, mostly ruderals. The latter generally have a large distribution, often on several continents. The physiognomy of the vegetation also changes, with hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes in the outskirts and the dominance of therophytes and chamaephytes in the city centre.<p><p>In most of wetlands, a large proportion of the plant species are natives, but some wetlands are almost totally invaded by alien species. Soil type is the main environmental factor correlated with <p>the variability of the vegetation.<p><p>The flora of domestic gardens is mainly composed of introduced species used as ornamental, food or medicinal plants. The socio-economical status of the neighbourhood is the main factor correlated with the variability of the garden flora. In high standing neighbourhoods, most species are onamental, with many trees and shrubs. In popular neighbourhoods, the flora is mainly utilitarian (vegetables and fruits), with a significant proportion of native species, and composed mainly of annual species. <p>A small proportion of the alien species cultivated in gardens has become invasive in the semi-natural vegetation of the city and its surroundings. Many other species cultivated in the gardens could become invasive, based on their ecology and their invasive behaviour in other regions with a climate similar to that of Bujumbura.<p><p>Overall, the city of Bujumbura has a diverse flora, with many useful species (vegetables and fruits, traditional medicine, construction of fences and roofs, material for mats and art objects.). The vegetation also hosts wildlife: birds, fishes, hippos, crocodiles etc… <p><p>In conclusion, the vegetation of Bujumbura contributes to biodiversity conservation and provides services to the urban population, but the expansion of alien invasive species and the consequent homogenization of the vegetation is a challenge for the future.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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