Understanding patterns and drivers of biodiversity across the landscape
Formerly considered primarily as sources of negative environmental impact , cities are increasingly recognized as important contributors to biodiversity conservation. It is true that urban habitat loss and simplification often lead to endemic species loss... and high habitat heterogeneity, supplemental food, and dispersal into urban areas by (accidental or deliberate) importation can favour non-native or invasive species. However, well-planned and managed urban ecological infrastructure can also support the retention of native endemics and rare species – providing a critical role for cities in addressing biodiversity loss. How can we support cities in better conserving species?
Example people and projects:
Formerly considered primarily as sources of negative environmental impact , cities are increasingly recognized as important contributors to biodiversity conservation. It is true that urban habitat loss and simplification often lead to endemic species loss... and high habitat heterogeneity, supplemental food, and dispersal into urban areas by (accidental or deliberate) importation can favour non-native or invasive species. However, well-planned and managed urban ecological infrastructure can also support the retention of native endemics and rare species – providing a critical role for cities in addressing biodiversity loss. How can we support cities in better conserving species?
Example people and projects:
- How trees on private land contribute to urban forest diversity, structure, and service-based traits (watch a video from former MSc student Kayleigh). Collaborators, PaqLab.
- How local floral traits and urban beekeeping influence wild bee diversity across Montreal green spaces (listen to postdoc Gail MacInnis discuss urban beekeeping)
- Patterns of earthworm diversity within and across Montreal green spaces with varying historical legacies (explore Michael’s scicomm work on urban soil ecology, here)
- Enhancing biodiversity, social inclusion, and climate resilience through informal urban green spaces (Read about our interdisciplinary pilot project)
- The impact of urban nature-based climate solutions on migratory birds and species at risk (With Frei Lab at ECCC).
- Monitoring the success of the Corridor écologique du grand Sud-Ouest with partners Nouveaux Voisins (Nicole Yu)
Related projects
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Systematic bird map
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Bee
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Nesting success
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Related Publications
Hutt-Taylor K, Ziter CD. 2022. Private trees contribute uniquely to urban forest diversity, structure, and service-based traits. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 78: 127760