ABSTRACT
Urban biodiversity is an ecological term frequently confused and interchangeably used with urban green space and urban green infrastructure, which principally derive from disciplines such as urban planning, landscape architecture and environmental management. Robust knowledge on urban biodiversity is critical to improving current and future practices related to urban planning, design and management within modern urban governance structures. Research can guide cities and towns to maximise urban conservation outcomes and the relative provision of ecosystem services, while minimising the associated costs, uncertainties, trade-offs and risks. Knowledge was mostly transmitted orally, though various manuscripts on urban animals and plants have been written from different civilisations over the centuries. In a rapidly urbanising world, subnational and local governments play an increasingly vital role in protecting and managing urban biodiversity. The development of guidelines for urban practitioners aimed at building capacity and empowering local authorities in their endeavour to manage urban biodiversity.
