Biodiversity concepts and urban ecosystems

Savard, Jean‐Pierre L.; Clergeau, Philippe; Mennechez, Gwénaëlle

doi:10.1016/s0169-2046(00)00037-2

Cited by 769 publications

(536 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The ecologies of scale that result from these urban forest agglomerations are arguably a more important resource, due to the role they play in helping maintain global biodiversity. While there are many definitions of biodiversity, Savard, Clergeau, and Mennechez (2000) suggest that it represents the variability of life, including composition, structure, and function. Diversity is important because it leads to ecological stability within ecosystems.…”

Section: Urban Reforestation Efficiency and Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

The Scalar Production of Injustice within the Urban Forest

2003

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Research has recently argued, quite successfully, for a more dialectic appreciation of urban nature/society relations. Despite this progress, there is still the need to recognize that the social production of urban environments explicitly leads to uneven urban environments and environmental injustice. Environmental inequalities clearly exist within cities; when taking into account how environmental externalities play out at different scales, the degree to which something is unjust becomes less clear. This paper discusses how the scales at which socially produced urban forest externalities play out pose difficulties for considering environmental injustice. This issue, while interesting from the point of view of considering scalar nature/social dialects, also makes policy considerations for urban reforestation problematic as a result of the ways in which urban forests contribute to local/global ecological scenarios.

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Section: Urban Reforestation Efficiency and Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

The Scalar Production of Injustice within the Urban Forest

2003

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“…As a result of these increases, additional habitat loss in urban areas is expected. Yet, urban green space exists and can cover relatively large fractions of cities (Nowak et al 1996, Savard et al 2000.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…For example, across gradients of urban development, arthropod species richness may directly correlate with plant diversity, richness, and density (Raupp et al 2009). Some urban areas have very high spatial habitat heterogeneity at small spatial scales due to land use and implementation of gardens (McIntyre et al 2000, McKinney 2008, Savard et al 2000. Urban gardens can have higher primary productivity than surrounding areas due to irrigation, fertilizers, and other factors, leading to increases in arthropod populations, species richness, and biodiversity (McIntyre 2000, McKinney 2008.…”

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Local and Landscape Correlates of Spider Activity Density and Species Richness in Urban Gardens

2015

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“…The conservation of animal and plant groups in urban areas has been the subject of numerous studies (Burton & Samuelson, 2008;Clark, Reed, & Chew, 2008;Croci, Butet, Georges, Aguejdad, & Clergeau, 2008;Kühn & Klotz, 2006;Savard, Clergeau, & Mennechez, 2000); however, studies on bryophyte conservation have been insufficient, largely due to the combination of a shortage of bryologists generally and their overall lack of interest in researching urban vegetation/habitat types.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of urban green spaces on the conservation of bryophyte diversity: The special role of Japanese gardens

Oishi

2012

Landscape and Urban Planning

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Urban green spaces play a critical role in the maintenance of biodiversity in urban areas. However, bryophyte (moss) diversity in urban areas has received little attention. This study examined the role of urban green spaces in maintaining and enhancing bryophyte diversity.Four sites in Kanazawa City, northwestern Japan, were selected for the study based on differences in the utilization and maintenance practices: a Japanese garden, an urban park, a secondary forest, and a lawn. Bryophyte species richness and environmental characteristics were measured in sample plots 5 m in diameter (ca. 78.5 m 2 ) along transects spanning the length and width of each green space. Bryophyte species richness was especially high in the garden relative to that observed in the other green spaces. Multiple linear regression models determined that bryophyte species richness was significantly correlated with increased areas of water and rocks, increased areas of restricted entry, and the presence of maintenance practices; grass cover, on the other hand, was negatively correlated with bryophyte species richness. The results suggest that high bryophyte species richness in the gardens is related to the diversity of environments created by the design and maintenance practices for keeping the garden looking beautiful. These design and maintenance practices can be applied to the creation of green space for the conservation of bryophyte diversity. Furthermore, the placement of logs and creation of patches with lower maintenance intensity can enhance the conservation of bryophyte diversity.Keywords: biodiversity; urban area; design; maintenance; Japan Short author biographiesYoshitaka Oishi is Assistant Professor of Landscape Ecology at Shinshu University, Japan. He completed his PhD on bryophyte diversity conservation in urban areas, at Kyoto University in 2007. His main research interest is on the conservation and ecology of bryophytes. His recent work also focuses on environmental monitoring using bryophytes as bio-indicators. Research highlightsThe role of Japanese gardens in the conservation of bryophyte diversity was evaluated.Bryophyte species richness was compared in several types of urban green spaces. The bryophyte species richness was especially high in a Japanese garden. This result can be explained by design and maintenance practices in Japanese gardens. They enhance habitat diversity and substrates suitable for bryophyte growth.

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Biodiversity concepts and urban ecosystems

Cited by 769 publications

References 30 publications

The Scalar Production of Injustice within the Urban Forest

The Scalar Production of Injustice within the Urban Forest

Local and Landscape Correlates of Spider Activity Density and Species Richness in Urban Gardens

Influence of urban green spaces on the conservation of bryophyte diversity: The special role of Japanese gardens

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