The impact of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Introduction

Urbanization is a global phenomenon that significantly impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services. As cities expand, natural habitats are altered or destroyed, leading to changes in species composition and ecosystem functions. Understanding these impacts is crucial for sustainable urban planning and biodiversity conservation.

Key Insights

Reduction in Ecosystem Services:
- Urbanization leads to a decline in various ecosystem services, including food supply, carbon sequestration, soil water storage, and habitat suitability .
- The expansion of urban areas often results in decreased ecosystem service values (ESV), with significant reductions observed in regions undergoing rapid urban growth .
Impact on Biodiversity:
- Urban areas can support a higher abundance of certain species compared to rural or agricultural areas, but often at the cost of reduced species evenness and richness .
- Urbanization can lead to both homogenization and differentiation of species, with some cities harboring self-sustaining populations of rare and endangered species.
Spatial Heterogeneity:
- The impact of urbanization on ecosystem services and biodiversity is spatially heterogeneous, with developed urban areas often having better green infrastructure and higher carbon storage, while developing urban areas face more significant declines in ecosystem services .
Influence of Landscape Characteristics:
- Landscape composition and connectivity play crucial roles in determining the impact of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Areas with more vegetated space tend to support higher species richness and abundance .
- The configuration of urban landscapes, such as patch isolation, has a limited role compared to the amount of vegetated area in influencing biodiversity within cities.
Socioeconomic Factors:
- Urbanization and industrialization positively influence regional biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and tourism services, but can negatively impact carbon storage and food provisioning services.
- Socioeconomic inputs, such as knowledge, technology, and financial investments in agriculture, can mitigate some negative impacts of urbanization on ecosystem services.
Urban Planning Recommendations:
- Compact urban planning and the integration of green infrastructure are recommended to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on ecosystem services .
- Conservation efforts should consider the entire range of urban ecosystems, including novel ecosystems that may harbor nonnative species but still provide valuable ecosystem services and social benefits.

Conclusion

Urbanization significantly impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services, often leading to a decline in ecosystem functions and changes in species composition. However, the effects are spatially heterogeneous and influenced by landscape characteristics and socioeconomic factors. Effective urban planning, including the integration of green infrastructure and compact development, can help mitigate these negative impacts and promote sustainable urban growth.

The impact of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Biodiversity concepts and urban ecosystems

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Novel urban ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation.

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Urban expansion in the Barranquilla Metropolitan Area, Colombia, contributes to the degradation of ecosystem services and decreases biodiversity, with future urbanization plans indicating potential impacts on ecosystem services and biodiversity.

Socioeconomic influences on biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being: a quantitative application of the DPSIR model in Jiangsu, China.

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