history of urban ecology

Question 1

Why does the number of recorded species increase?

Answer 1

• growing taxonomic knowledge and differenciation

- introduction of non-native species

Question 2

plants living near cities and villages - Plantae urbanae (example)

Answer 2

Onopordum acanthium

“In most cases foreign origin is the cause why these plants are located only near cities and villages”

Question 3

Who played a significant role in urban ecosystem science in Berlin?

Answer 3

Herbert Sukopp, Berlin School of Urban Ecology (1970 - today)
“One of the founders of urban ecology”

Question 4

Ecological research -> Urban planning and design

What are novel approaches since the late 1970s?

Answer 4

• linking ecological, social and esthetic perspectives in urban development, covering the total city
• pioneer work: Artenschutzprogramm/Landschaftsprogramm 1984ff.
• establishment of fundamental approaches
  e. g. nature conservation for “the sake of” urban people

Question 5

Specific role of Berlin in urban ecology

Answer 5

Due to the division of Berlin the economic development was much slower compared to other cities -> a lot of space for urban nature to develop

• early and continuing studies on urban biodiversity patterns since 1950s
• early insights into the natural revegetation (succession) on demolished sites, wastelands
• focus of ecologists on the total of urban habitats, soils & climate
• definition of urban ecology as a scientific AND as a multidisciplinary, applied discipline
• early awareness: high importance of urban ecosystems for urban liveability

Question 6

Important insights from the Berlin School of urban Ecology

Answer 6

• ecological processes proceed in cities as in other environments and can be correspondingly analysed and predicted, i.e. the city is not an antipode of “nature”
• the city can be addressed as a network of biotopes, even strongly human-dominated systems serve as habitats for plants and animals
• Integrating urban nature (biodiv., soils, climate) in urban development (planning) supports both biodiversity and urban sustainability
• defining urban ecology as a multidisciplinary approach

Question 7

Defining urban ecology as a multidisciplinary approach (Folienüberschrift)
Major aim of urban ecology?

Answer 7

• “not primarily to clarify ecosystem interrelationships, but to explore ways to make the urban ecosystem as human-friendly as possible”
• “the natural science disciplines are not sufficient for the ecological research of the city, because the city represents a product of human society, whose investigation therefore also falls into the field of social sciences”

Question 8

Two definitions of urban ecology?

Answer 8

1. “Urban ecology in the narrower sense is the subdiscipline of ecology that investigates urban biocoenoses, biotopes and ecosystems, their organisms and site conditions as well as the structure, function and history of urban ecosystems.”

“Urban ecology in the broader sense is an integrated field of research of several sciences from different areas and planning with the aim of improving living conditions and sustainable environmental urban development.”
(Sukopp & Wittig 1993)

2. “Urban ecology integrates both basic (i.e. fundamental) and applied (i.e. problem oriented), natural and social science research to explore and elucidate the multiple dimensions of urban ecosystems.”
   (McDonnell 2011)

Question 9

A pessimistic perspective on urbanism

Answer 9

Urbanism as a form of social organisation that is harmful to culture
- declining social significance of the family
- disappearance of neighbourhood
- undermining of traditional basis of social solidarity
(Louis Wirth, 1938)

Question 10

An optimistic perspective on urbanism

Answer 10

Heterogeneity of life in cities offers manifold opportunities for developing individuality
- city as center of freedom and tolerance
- city as home of progress, invention, science, rationality
(Georg Simmel, 1903)

Question 11

Please explain the approach of natural history in cities.

Answer 11

• early investigation on the ecology of cities were made with a focus on single biotopes
• of particular interest were animal and plant species introduced directly or indirectly by humans into new areas
• in Germany afte WW2 new found interest for species of flora&fauna in the rubble sites -> led to the foundation of the Berlin School of urban ecology (Sukopp)