Three-dimensional visual illusions—two easily constructed models

‘Urban ecology’ has received considerable attention both in the media and at research level in recent years. The rapid evolution of this readily accessible branch of ecology has, in turn, led to some uncertainty about content and emphasis. Problems have thereby been encountered in attempting to delimit this essentially environmental study.

A brief review of the development of ecology in general, and urban ecology in particular, serves to shed some light on the changing scope of the subject.     

Unintentional selection,unanticipated insights: introductions,stocking and the evolutionary ecology of fishes

Natural environmental change has produced countless opportunities for species to disperse into and persist in habitats where they previously did not exist. Introduction and stocking programmes have facilitated similar sorts of colonization opportunities across considerably greater geographical scales and often in much shorter periods of time. Even though the mechanism of colonization differs, the result can be the same: evolutionary change in the colonizing population in response to novel selection pressures. As a consequence, some human‐mediated fish transfers have unintentionally yielded novel research opportunities to study how phenotypes and genes interact with their environment and affect ecological and evolutionary change. The primary purpose here is to explore how work, directly or indirectly involved with human‐mediated transfers, has unintentionally yielded novel research and research opportunities in fish ecology and evolution. Insights have produced new knowledge or altered previously held perceptions on topics such as local adaptation, rate of evolutionary change, phenotypic plasticity, alternative reproductive strategies, population structure and colonization probability. Well‐documented stocking programmes, especially in terms of history, numbers and original population sources, can provide highly fertile ground for generating further insights on the ecology and evolution of fishes and of the factors likely to influence the success of conservation‐based, restoration programmes.     

Interdisciplinary research for the proposal of the Urban Biosphere Reserve of Rome Municipality

Abstract

The issue of urban sustainability is considered within the context of the metropolis of Rome, the capital of Italy. The aim is pursued through an Urban Biosphere Reserve proposal, drawn up by an interdisciplinary group of experts comprising landscape ecologists, geologists, plant ecologists, zoologists, geographers, city planners and environmental psychologists. The potential applicability of this project on an international level is discussed, with particular focus on its importance as (i) one of the first proposals of an Urban Biosphere Reserve encompassing the whole municipality of a large city, (ii) an original approach to urban ecosystem investigations within the framework of landscape ecology principles, and (iii) a good example of cooperation between scientists and local decision-makers to preserve the cultural and landscape identity in an urban and periurban context.     

Colonisation of urban environments is associated with reduced migratory behaviour,facilitating divergence from ancestral populations

How individuals colonising novel environments overcome the diverse suite of new selection pressures is a fundamental question in ecology and evolution. Urban environments differ markedly from the rural ones that they replace and successful colonisation of urban areas may therefore require local adaptation and phenotypic/genetic divergence from ancestral populations. Such a process would be facilitated by limited dispersal to and from the novel habitat. Here we assess divergence in migratory behaviour between seven pairs of urban and rural European blackbird Turdus merula populations along a 2800 km transect across Europe. This former forest specialist is now amongst the most abundant urban birds across most of its range. We use a stable isotope approach due to the lack of sufficient ringing data from multiple urban populations, and compare hydrogen isotopic ratios of tissues grown in the breeding (feathers) and wintering areas (claws) to derive an index of long distance migratory behaviour. We find a tendency for urban blackbirds to be more sedentary than rural ones at all sites and this divergence is particularly strong at the north‐eastern limit of our transect, i.e. in Estonia and Latvia. These urban populations are those that have been established most recently (from the late 1930s to 1950s) implying that urbanisation can promote rapid ecological divergence. The increased sedentary behaviour of urban birds could promote further ecological divergence between rural and urban populations, such as the earlier breeding of urban blackbirds, and in some cases may contribute to their previously documented genetic divergence.     

Developing flow–ecology relationships: Implications of nonlinear biological responses for water management

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基于生态系统服务的城市生态基础设施:现状、问题与展望

城市生态基础设施是城市可持续发展的重要基础,也是建设生态城市的重要保证。生态系统服务是城市生态基础设施建设的核心与关键。在快速城市化的背景下,保障生态基础设施的结构完整性和功能完善性尤为重要。在阐述生态系统服务的基础上,对生态基础设施的概念与类型进行了概述;从城市湿地生态基础设施、绿地生态基础设施以及城市地表硬化的生态工程改造3个方面对城市生态基础设施研究现状进行综述;对生态基础设施结构与功能评估方法进行了总结,对基于生态系统服务的城市生态基础设施研究进行了综合评述,首次提出了城市表面生态学的概念与研究展望,为城市生态系统服务的强化与调控提供了方法论指导。城市生态基础设施与表面生态学的整合研究将对城市水文效应(内涝)、灰霾效应(PM2.5)、热岛效应、水体污染与富营养化等备受关注的重大问题提供新的解决思路与科学方法。     

Forest ecosystem inventory and monitoring as a framework for terrestrial natural renewable resource survey programmes

ABSTRACT

The established practice of forest ecosystem inventory and monitoring is recognised as a main support for terrestrial natural renewable resource survey programmes. Inventory and monitoring programmes focused on an overall assessment of ecosystem attributes evolving into global environmental survey programmes have been devised, but implementation is still quite contradictory. The state-of-the-art is discussed here, with special reference to the European Union and Italy. Topical issues are reviewed, with selective concern to: remote sensing capability, probability sampling, forest type (habitat) classification and landscape ecology, sustainable management indicators. Benefits brought by information technology are highlighted. Its development and the implementation of approaches based on a sound “per habitat” landscape ecological perspective will bring unique benefits, thus leading to an effective integration among sector surveys aimed at global environmental inventory/monitoring.     

景感生态学在城市生态系统服务中的应用研究——以城市公园景观设计为例

城市生态系统服务和可持续发展是当前城市生态学研究的热点问题。景感生态学作为联系生态系统服务和可持续发展的桥梁,可作为研究城市生态系服务和可持续发展的一种有效途径。随着社会发展所伴随的人们经济生活的生活压力增大,城市居民的亚健康状态日益突出。城市公园作为城市生态系统的重要构成,其设计目的应考虑应对城市居民健康问题和促进人类精神文明建设方面的作用。以城市公园景观设计为例,从园路、建筑、植物、水体景观和小品等方面探讨景感生态学在城市公园景观设计中的应用价值。景感生态学作为探索城市公园景观设计的新思路,以实现生态效益和居民福祉的提升,丰富和提升城市公园的生态系统服务功能,从而有利于促进为人类当代和后代提供可持续的福祉,以期驱使人类行为和言行规律朝着对生态系统有益的方向演化,自觉维护和改善生态系统服务,从而可持续地保障城市生态系统服务。     

A systematic review into the suitability of urban refugia for the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris

1. Urban growth and intensification are projected to increase as the global human population increases. Historically, urban areas have been disregarded as suitable wildlife habitat, but it is now known that these areas can be biodiverse and that wildlife species can adapt to the environmental conditions. One such urban-dwelling species is the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, which has suffered population declines in several countries throughout its range in recent decades.
2. The current published literature was systematically reviewed to determine whether or not urban habitats are suitable refugia for red squirrels, through identifying and discussing key topics regarding the urban ecology of red squirrels.
3. Urban environments can support higher population densities of red squirrels than rural areas, probably due to the widespread and reliable provision of anthropogenic supplemental food alongside natural food sources. The availability and quality of urban greenspaces are important determinants of the suitability of urban habitats for red squirrels, as they provide natural food sources and nesting sites. Despite the barriers present in urban landscapes (e.g. roads), red squirrels can still disperse and maintain gene flow at the population level.
4. Road traffic accidents appear to be a significant cause of mortality in some urban red squirrel populations, and seasonal peaks of mortality occur during the autumn months. Diseases (e.g. squirrelpox virus) can also be a significant cause of mortality, although effects differ between populations and depend on whether grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis are present. Many of the predation events that affect red squirrels appear to be due to free-ranging domestic and feral cats Felis catus, although there is currently little evidence to suggest that predation is a limiting factor for urban red squirrel populations.
5. We conclude that urban areas can be suitable refugia for red squirrels, provided that high-quality greenspaces are maintained. Mitigation measures may also be necessary to reduce population mortality and to prevent disease outbreaks.

     

城市地域生态调控的空间途径——以深圳市为例

城市地域的可持续发展必须以生态环境的可持续发展为前提和保障。景观生态学主要研究地表各种景观空间格局与生态过程及其相互作用,其原理和规律为在实践中通过优化景观格局,提高生态系统稳定性提供了理论框架。以深圳市为例,尝试综合运用生态敏感性与适宜性分析和景观格局整体优化的方法,通过对生态系统的格局分析与问题诊断,构建合理、稳定的生态系统结构,保障生态系统服务功能的正常发挥。案例研究将深圳市域的整体生态结构分为自然生态空间、城镇发展空间和生态廊道3部分。城镇发展空间具有文化支持的生态功能,自然生态空间具有环境服务和生物生产的生态功能;生态廊道主要起到加强生态联系,提高生态系统稳定性,并防止城市发展空间无序蔓延的功能。城镇景观斑块镶嵌于自然生态景观基质中,并通过多种类型的生态廊道相连,形成区域生态系统的良性循环。案例研究表明,景观生态规划方法的综合应用,可以将景观生态学原理和规律比较合理的运用于实践。     

转型期城市生态学前沿研究进展

城市是一类以人类活动为中心听社会－经济－自然复合生态系统。城市人类活动对局地、区域和全球环境的胁迫效应,自然生态系统的响应机制,城市时、空、量、构、序的耦合规律、动力学机制和控制论方法是当前国际社会和学术界关注的热点。介绍了转型期城市人类生态影响研究的一些主要国际科学计划,如ＳＣＯＰＥ及ＩＨＤＰ等,综述了城市生态学研究三大前沿领域的国际研究动向和案例,即人居生态学、产业生态学和城镇生命支持系统生态     

从景感生态学视角分析城市立体绿化内涵与功能——以深圳市为例

城市用地日益紧张,城市建（构）筑物高度不断抬升,理应赋予城市空间载体更多的生态功能。景感生态学倡导在保持、改善和增加城市生态系统服务的同时提升居民满意度和可持续发展能力。城市立体绿化具有降温、降噪、滞尘、固碳等功能,是节能减排的有效举措。通过对深圳市立体绿化实地调查和景感生态学分析,剖析了立体绿化在促进居民的视觉、听觉、嗅觉、味觉及触觉等物理感知及心理认知功能方面的作用,以及增强城市生态系统服务的机理。研究表明,立体绿化是城市景感营造的有效手段,既能增强城市生态系统服务价值,也能提高城市空间利用率;在增加城市绿视率的同时,丰富了居民的物理感知及心理认知。最后,讨论了景感生态学理论与方法在立体绿化中的实际应用,以及景感营造技术在城市绿色建筑中的作用,以期让景感营造技术为提升立体绿化水平,进而为促进城市绿地系统规划提供支撑。     

Urban and coastal breeding lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) segregate by foraging habitat

Despite urbanization's general erosion of biodiversity, towns and cities provide novel opportunities for some species. During the 20th century, gulls (Laridae) colonized urban areas around the world where they flourished. At the same time, some coastal populations declined. The reasons for this difference are not fully understood, partly because little is known about any ecological differences between urban and non-urban gulls, such as their foraging ecology. Here we compare the movement ecology and habitat selection of Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus graellsii breeding at two neighbouring colonies – one urban and one coastal – in north-west England. We used bird-borne GPS loggers to first compare colony-level movement behaviour and habitat selection and then investigated individual-level habitat use. We observed clear colony-level habitat segregation: urban breeders preferentially foraged in urban areas whereas coastal breeders foraged primarily in coastal habitats and avoided urban areas. Coastal breeders also had larger core and home-ranges than urban breeders, possibly due to differences in colony size. However, we also found inter-individual differences in habitat use, which may have important management implications. These findings suggest a link between nesting and foraging ecology, and thus management or environmental change altering food availability will impact gulls at the coastal and urban sites differently.     

城市绿地研究进展

2016年7月8-10日在中国上海召开了第二届国际城市生态学大会,会议的主题是“快速城市化和全球环境变化背景下城市生态学面临的挑战”。会议设16个专场,主要议题包括：城市化动态、城市可持续性研究、城市生物多样性评估和城市生态学教育等。城市绿地是大会的研究热点之一,会上讨论了城市绿地与城市生物多样性的密切联系、城市绿地的温度调节作用和文化服务,以及城市绿地与紧凑城市的关系等众多城市发展中的重要科学问题。为了推动城市绿地和城市生态学研究的进一步发展,本文对SURE大会上与城市绿地相关的研究内容进行综述和介绍。本次大会对未来城市绿地研究具有重要启示：(1)加强城市绿地的生态系统服务与可持续科学教育的研究;(2)加强小尺度城市绿地的评估、规划和管理研究;(3)加强城市绿地多功能的综合性研究。     

长株潭城市群生态屏障研究

构筑城市(群)生态屏障是我国生态建设的重点之一。高速城市化进程中,城市范围、征用土地、人口数量、建设规模不断扩大,生态安全形势日益严峻,生态环境保护压力不断加大。长株潭城市群是国家"两型"社会建设试验区,生态屏障建设备受关注。在广泛开展社会调研、专项调查、专题研究、学术讨论的基础上,根据景观生态学和保护生物学的相关原理,通过对区域生态压力、需求、承载力的分析,借助RS、GIS、GPS等现代高新技术,科学区划长株潭城市群生态屏障的空间层级、结构、布局、功能区,明确了各功能区的建设方向、目标,提出了分区管理和分级保护等具体空间管治措施,规划2020年前保护建设工程项目。研究结果表明,城市群必须根据生态环境承载能力,按生态隔离组团方式科学布局城市空间,预留足够的生态基地,优先构筑稳固的生态屏障;按照主体功能区划和目标定位,严格管治和合理布局生态用地,加强部门规划统筹协调,依法严格保护森林和湿地;加强公共财政转移支付和社会融资力度,抓紧实施生态屏障工程建设,努力改善环境质量,维护区域生态平衡,努力实现资源节约、环境友好、提高城市品位和综合竞争能力的社会发展目标。研究结果可为城市生态屏障建设提供科学方法和依据,同时也可为全国其它城市(群)生态屏障建设提供参考和借鉴。     

Ecological engineering: A rationale for standardized curriculum and professional certification in the United States

The demand for engineering solutions to ecosystem–level problems has increased as the impact of human activities has expanded to global proportions. While the science of restoration ecology has been developed to address many critical ecosystem management issues, the high degree of complexity and uncertainty associated with these issues demands a more quantitative approach. Ecological engineering uses science-based quantification of ecological processes to develop and apply engineering-based design criteria for sustainable systems. We suggest that in the United States ecological engineering curricula should be offered at the graduate level and should require rigorous Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology-accredited (or equivalent) undergraduate preparation in engineering fundamentals. In addition to strengthening students’ mastery of engineering theory and application, the graduate curriculum should provide core courses in ecosystem theory including quantitative ecology, systems ecology, restoration ecology, ecological engineering, ecological modeling, and ecological engineering economics. Advanced courses in limnology, environmental plant physiology, ecological economics, and specific ecosystem design should be provided to address students’ specific professional objectives. Finally, professional engineering certification must be developed to insure the credibility of this new engineering specialization.     

Hypotheses in urban ecology: building a common knowledge base

Urban ecology is a rapidly growing research field that has to keep pace with the pressing need to tackle the sustainability crisis. As an inherently multi-disciplinary field with close ties to practitioners and administrators, research synthesis and knowledge transfer between those different stakeholders is crucial. Knowledge maps can enhance knowledge transfer and provide orientation to researchers as well as practitioners. A promising option for developing such knowledge maps is to create hypothesis networks, which structure existing hypotheses and aggregate them according to topics and research aims. Combining expert knowledge with information from the literature, we here identify 62 research hypotheses used in urban ecology and link them in such a network. Our network clusters hypotheses into four distinct themes: (i) Urban species traits & evolution, (ii) Urban biotic communities, (iii) Urban habitats and (iv) Urban ecosystems. We discuss the potentials and limitations of this approach. All information is openly provided as part of an extendable Wikidata project, and we invite researchers, practitioners and others interested in urban ecology to contribute additional hypotheses, as well as comment and add to the existing ones. The hypothesis network and Wikidata project form a first step towards a knowledge base for urban ecology, which can be expanded and curated to benefit both practitioners and researchers.     

Ecology and urban planning

Urban areas harbour diverse nature ranging from semi-natural habitats to wastelands, parks and other highly human-influenced biotopes with their associated species assemblages. Maintenance of this urban biodiversity for the residents and for its intrinsic value in the face of increasing population and expanding cities requires that ecological knowledge should be better integrated into urban planning. To achieve this goal understanding of ecological patterns and processes in urban ecosystems is needed. The first step in the necessary urban ecological research is to find out what kind of nature exists in cities. Second, knowledge about ecological processes important in urban nature is required. Although ecological processes in cities are the same as in rural areas, some of them, such as invasion by alien species, are more prevalent in urban than in rural conditions. Third, based on ecological knowledge, management schemes maintaining the diversity of urban nature should be designed. These procedures should also include protection of urban nature, e.g. in urban national parks. Finally, as ecology alone cannot provide the complex information about human influence on urban ecosystems, interdisciplinary research involving natural and social sciences is imperative for a holistic approach to integrating ecology into the process of urban planning.     

城市景观功能的区域协调规划——以深圳市为例

城市景观功能的完善是城市可持续发展的重要保障之一,其与区域景观功能的相互协调是城市规划的重要组成部分,有利于城市和区域的整体持续发展。在分析城市景观基本特征的基础上,探讨了城市景观功能区域协调规划的基本思路,以城市景观为规划对象,以人类社会的功能需求为立足点,依据景观生态学理论,将城市景观的功能划分为生物生产功能、环境服务功能、文化支持功能和信息输运功能,对体现这些基本功能的景观类型进行区域协调规划。以深圳市为例,实证分析了其景观功能在珠江三角洲地区的协调规划。