Urban Ecology
Science of Cities

The first richly illustrated worldwide portrayal of urban ecology, tying together organisms, built structures, and the physical environment around cities.

Richard T. T. Forman (Author)

9780521188241, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 February 2014

476 pages, 158 b/w illus. 3 tables
24.5 x 18.8 x 2.1 cm, 1.02 kg

'… Forman has found just the right balance between science and instruction, making this volume a great candidate as a textbook or an addition to one's reference collection.' The Quarterly Review of Biology

How does nature work in our human-created city, suburb, and exurb/peri-urb? Indeed how is ecology - including its urban water, soil, air, plant, and animal foundations - spatially entwined with this great human enterprise? And how can we improve urban areas for both nature and people? Urban Ecology: Science of Cities explores the entire urban area: from streets, lawns, and parks to riversides, sewer systems, and industrial sites. The book presents models, patterns, and examples from hundreds of cities worldwide. Numerous illustrations enrich the presentation. Cities are analyzed, not as ecologically bad or good, but as places with concentrated rather than dispersed people. Urban ecology principles, traditionally adapted from natural-area ecology, now increasingly emerge from the distinctive features of cities. Spatial patterns and flows, linking organisms, built structures, and the physical environment highlight a treasure chest of useful principles. This pioneering interdisciplinary book opens up frontiers of insight, as a valuable source and text for undergraduates, graduates, researchers, professionals, and others with a thirst for solutions to growing urban problems.

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. Framework: 1. Foundations
2. Spatial patterns and mosaics
3. Flows, movements, change
Part II. Ecological Features: 4. Urban soil and chemicals
5. Urban air
6. Urban water systems
7. Urban water bodies
8. Urban habitats, vegetation, plants
9. Urban wildlife
Part III. Urban Features: 10. Human structures
11. Residential, commercial, industrial areas
12. Greenspaces, corridors, systems
Epilogue
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Urban & municipal planning [RPC], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Applied ecology [RNC], The environment [RN], Geography [RG], Environmental archaeology [HDP]