The growth of cities poses ever-increasing challenges for the natural environment on which they impact and depend, not only within their boundaries but also in surrounding peri-urban areas. Landscape ecology – the study of interactions across space and time between the structure and function of physical, biological and cultural components of landscapes – has a pivotal role to play in identifying sustainable solutions.
This book brings together examples of research at the cutting edge of urban landscape ecology across multiple contexts that investigate the state, maintenance and restoration of healthy and functional natural environments across urban and peri-urban landscapes. An explicit focus is on urban landscapes in contrast to other books which have considered urban ecosystems and ecology without specific focus on spatial connections. It integrates research and perspectives from across academia, public and private practitioners of urban conservation, planning and design. It provides a much needed summary of current thinking on how urban landscapes can provide the foundation of sustained economic growth, prospering communities and personal well-being.
1. Introduction: An Overview of Landscape Ecology in Cities Robert A. Francis, James D.A. Millington and Michael A. Chadwick 2. Drivers of Soil Heterogeneity in the Urban Landscape Alessandro Ossola and Stephen J. Livesley 3. Bees in a Peri-urban Landscape: A Synthesis of Research from East Contra Costa County, California Misha Leong 4. Socioeconomics and Neighbor Mimicry Drive Yard and Neighborhood Vegetation Patterns Emily Minor, J. Amy Belaire, Amélie Davis, Magaly Franco and Meimei Lin 5. An Exploration of the Relationships between Landscape Metrics and Tree Diversity in Urban Forests Mikaël Maes 6. Edge Habitat of Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study in London (UK) Marleen Feldbrugge, Patrick. G. Meirmans and Robert A. Francis 7. A Lawn without Grass: a New Tool for Landscape Ecologists Lionel S. Smith 8. The Ecology and Management of Urban Pondscapes Christopher Hassall, Matthew Hill, David Gledhill and Jeremy Biggs 9. The Value of a Small Urban River: Past, Present and Future Rob C. Gray 10. Urban Ponds For People and By People Malgorzata Blicharska and Frank Johansson 11. Modeling the Effects of Land Cover and Use on Landscape Capability for Urban Ungulate Populations H. Brian Underwood and Chellby R. Kilheffer 12. Outdoor Recreation in Urban Forests – User Patterns and Impacts: Examples from Southern Germany Gerd Lupp, Markus Melber, Theresia Hirschbeck, Anna Ritter, Martina Brockard, Valerie Kantelberg and Stephan Pauleit 13. Strengthening Urban Landscape Planning: A Metapopulation Modelling Framework Laura J. Graham, Richard Field and Roy H. Haines-Young 14. Visualising Ecosystem Services using Historical Publications Philip James, B.A. Law and Norman Redhead 15. What is Landscape Sensitivity? A Review of Two UK Coastal Case Studies Josh Peacock 16. Urban Green Infrastructure in London: the Role of Landscape Ecology in Informing the Future of Parks and Green Space Policy in the City Peter Massini 17. Urban Biodiversity Management in Ireland: Capturing the Experience of Practitioners Maryann Harris, Tamara Hochstrasser, Karen Foley and Claire Cave
Robert A. Francis is Senior Lecturer in Ecology, King’s College London, UK. James D. A. Millington is a Lecturer in Physical Geography, King’s College London, UK. Michael A. Chadwick is a Lecturer in Freshwater Ecology, King’s College London, UK.
