Urban Ecology

by Kevin J. Gaston

Overview

This is the urban century in which, for the first time, the majority of people live in towns and cities. Understanding how people influence, and are influenced by, the ‘green' component of these environments is therefore of enormous significance. Providing an overview of the essentials of urban ecology, the book begins by covering the vital background concepts of the urbanisation process and the effect that it can have on ecosystem functions and services. Later sections are devoted to examining how species respond to urbanisation, the many facets of human-ecology interactions, and the issues surrounding urban planning and the provision of urban green spaces. Drawing on examples from urban settlements around the world, it highlights the progress to date in this burgeoning field, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521743495
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/16/2010
Series:	Ecological Reviews
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Kevin J. Gaston is Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield. He has twenty years of research experience in environmental science, conducting studies both in the UK and overseas on a wide range of topics, including conservation prioritisation, ecosystem services, invasive species, people-wildlife interactions, and urban ecology.

Table of Contents

List of contributors vii

Preface xi

1 Urban ecology Kevin J. Gaston 1

2 Urbanisation Kevin J. Gaston 10

3 Urban environments and ecosystem functions Kevin J. Gaston Zoe G. Davies Jill L. Edmondson 35

4 Individual species and urbanisation Karl L. Evans 53

5 Species diversity and urbanisation: patterns, drivers and implications Gary W. Luck Lisa T. Smallbone 88

6 Urbanisation and alien invasion Stefan Klotz Ingolf Kühn 120

7 Interactions between people and nature in urban environments Richard A. Fuller Katherine N. Irvine 134

8 Urban ecology and human social organisation Paige S. Warren Sharon L. Harlan Christopher Boone Susannah B. Lerman Eyal Shochat Ann P. Kinzig 172

9 Urban ecology and human health and wellbeing Jo Barton Jules Pretty 202

10 Bringing cities alive: the importance of urban green spaces for people and biodiversity Jon Sadler Adam Bates James Hale Philip James 230

11 Integrating nature values in urban planning and design Robbert Snep Paul Opdam 261

12 Urban futures Michael L. McKinney 287

Index 309

Editorial Reviews

"... thought-provoking and timely introduction to the ecology of our growing urban habitat."
Peter Moore, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society

From the Publisher