ABSTRACT

This fully revised second edition reflects the great expansion in urban ecology research, action, and teaching since 2015. Urban ecology provides an understanding of urban ecosystems and uses nature-based techniques to enhance habitats and alleviate poor environmental conditions.

Already the home to the majority of the world’s people, urban areas continue to grow, causing ecological changes throughout the world. To help students of all professions caring for urban areas and the people, animals, and plants that live in them, the authors set out the environmental and ecological science of cities, linkages between urban nature and human health, urban food production in cities, and how we can value urban nature. The authors explore our responsibilities for urban nature and greening, ecological management techniques, and the use of nature-based solutions to achieve a better, more sustainable urban future and ensure that cities can climate change and become more beautiful and more sustainable places in which to live.

This text provides the student and the practitioner with a critical scientific overview of urban ecology that will be a key source of data and ideas for studies and for sound urban management.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction to the first edition

The nature of urban places and nature in urban places

chapter |7 pages

Introduction to the second edition

part I|47 pages

Context of urban ecology

chapter Chapter 1|29 pages

Urban ecology – what, how, and why?

chapter Chapter 2|16 pages

Urban areas

part II|121 pages

Abiotic factors

chapter Chapter 3|27 pages

The urban atmosphere

Weather, climate, and air quality

chapter Chapter 5|34 pages

Water for urban ecosystems

Urban hydrology

chapter Chapter 6|29 pages

Urban biogeochemistry

part III|63 pages

Biological factors

chapter Chapter 7|23 pages

Urban habitats

chapter Chapter 8|19 pages

Urban flora

chapter Chapter 9|19 pages

Urban fauna

part IV|91 pages

Services and values

chapter Chapter 10|35 pages

Urban nature and the urban economy

Natural capital and ecosystem services

chapter Chapter 11|18 pages

Urban agriculture

chapter Chapter 12|34 pages

Health and well-being

part V|108 pages

Urban environmental stewardship and management

chapter Chapter 14|38 pages

Ecological management techniques

chapter Chapter 15|38 pages

Nature-based solutions

chapter Chapter 16|4 pages

Final comments