The Biological Deserts Fallacy: Cities in Their Landscapes Contribute More than We Think to Regional Biodiversity

ABSTRACT Cities are both embedded within and ecologically linked to their surrounding landscapes. Although urbanization poses a substantial threat to biodiversity, cities also support many species, some of which have larger populations, faster growth rates, and higher productivity in cities than out...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBioscience Vol. 71; no. 2; pp. 148 - 160
Main Authors Spotswood, Erica N, Beller, Erin E, Grossinger, Robin, Grenier, J Letitia, Heller, Nicole E, Aronson, Myla F J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Oxford University Press 01.02.2021
Subjects
Biodiversity
Cities
Climate change
Environmental changes
Environmental stewardship
Genetic diversity
Growth rate
Heterogeneity
Landscape
Migratory species
Overview
Public participation
Urbanization
Wildlife conservation
regional ecosystems
biodiversity conservation
urban biodiversity
cities
habitat heterogeneity
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Summary:ABSTRACT Cities are both embedded within and ecologically linked to their surrounding landscapes. Although urbanization poses a substantial threat to biodiversity, cities also support many species, some of which have larger populations, faster growth rates, and higher productivity in cities than outside of them. Despite this fact, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the potentially beneficial links between cities and their surroundings. We identify five pathways by which cities can benefit regional ecosystems by releasing species from threats in the larger landscape, increasing regional habitat heterogeneity and genetic diversity, acting as migratory stopovers, preadapting species to climate change, and enhancing public engagement and environmental stewardship. Increasing recognition of these pathways could help cities identify effective strategies for supporting regional biodiversity conservation and could provide a science-based platform for incorporating biodiversity alongside other urban greening goals.
ISSN:0006-3568
1525-3244
DOI:10.1093/biosci/biaa155