Urban Ecosystems: Ecological Principles for the Built Environment

Frederick R. Adler; Colby J. Tanner

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511981050

As humans have come to dominate the earth, the ideal of studying and teaching ecology in pristine ecosystems has become impossible to achieve. Our planet is now a mosaic of ecosystems ranging from the relatively undisturbed to the completely built, with the majority of people living in urban environments. This accessible introduction to the principles of urban ecology provides students with the tools they need to understand these increasingly important urban ecosystems. It builds upon the themes of habitat modification and resource use to demonstrate how multiple ecological processes interact in cities and how human activity initiates chains of unpredictable unintended ecological consequences. Broad principles are supported throughout by detailed examples from around the world and a comprehensive list of readings from the primary literature. Questions, exercises and laboratories at the end of each chapter encourage discussion, hands-on study, active learning, and engagement with the world outside the classroom window.

‘… a comprehensive summary of the growing field of urban ecology through a biogeophysical lens … The organization of the book is clear and intuitive, and the research presented is varied and compelling … The scholarship is impressive … The ‘questions and further readings’ included at the end of every chapter are thoughtful and well aligned with the content … The light breezy prose makes for an easy read that will keep the attention of students and urbanites alike. The language strikes an impressive balance between academic jargon and accessibility providing readers with breadth as well as ample opportunity to dig a little deeper. Students will appreciate the comprehensive glossary and pairing of basic ecological concepts with unique real-world applications … If you are interested in learning more about the ecology of these complex, varied, and beautiful things we call cities … this book is for you. I doubt you will be disappointed.’

Kirsten Schwarz Source: Basic and Applied Ecology

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Urban Ecosystems

Ecological Principles for the Built Environment

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

Preface
pp vii-x

1 - Urban ecosystems and the science of ecology
pp 1-38

2 - Urban accounting: metabolism, energy, and the ecological footprint
pp 39-73

3 - Urban ecosystem processes
pp 74-138

4 - The ecology of urban organisms
pp 139-252

5 - Implications of urban ecology
pp 253-290

Glossary
pp 291-302

References
pp 303-335

Index of organisms
pp 336-338

Subject index
pp 339-345

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Ecological Principles for the Built Environment

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