WEEK 1

Question 1

What is ecology?

Answer 1

Study of distribution and abundance of organisms.
Study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment
Study of the flow of energy and materials through ecosystems

Question 2

Define ‘urban’

Answer 2

Human settlement with high population density and a built environment (human-constructed)
Urban areas created through urbanisation (week 4)

Question 3

What is urban ecology?

Answer 3

Pursuit of ecology in an urban environment

Question 4

Describe Ecology IN urban areas

Answer 4

Investigates ecological patterns and processes in urban areas
Aims to quantify impacts of urbanisation on the diversity and abundance of plants, animals and other organisms
Similar methods used as traditional ecology
Often uses land-use contrasts and urbanisation gradients

Question 5

Describe Ecology OF urban areas

Answer 5

The ecology of how urban areas function as aggregated wholes
Urban areas are treated as ecosystems
Increases the scale to entire socio-ecological systems
Comparison between different cities

Question 6

Describe Ecology FOR urban areas

Answer 6

Ecological research should inform and advance the social goals of urban sustainability
Encourages ecologists to engage with other specialists and urban dwellers to shape a more sustainable urban future

Question 7

What types of ecosystem services could a park deliver?

Answer 7

Drainage and flood mitigation
Water purification and debris trapping (if there’s a creek present)
Air purification
Pollination (especially for the community garden!)
Temperature regulation
Visual amenity and recreation
Carbon storage and sequestration