Using the ecosystem services approach for better planning and conservation of urban green spaces: a Finland case study |
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Authors: | Jari Niemelä Sanna-Riikka Saarela Tarja Söderman Leena Kopperoinen Vesa Yli-Pelkonen Seija Väre D Johan Kotze |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Environmental Sciences,University of Helsinki,Finland;2.Environmental Policy Centre/Built Environment Unit,Finnish Environment Institute,Helsinki,Finland;3.Sito Oy,Espoo,Finland |
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Abstract: | Ecosystem services are vital for humans in urban regions. However, urban development poses a great risk for the ability of
ecosystems to provide these services. In this paper we first address the most important ecosystem services in functional urban
regions in Finland. Well accessible and good quality recreational ecosystem services, for example, provided by urban nature,
are an important part of a high-quality living environment and important for public health. Vegetation of urban regions can
have a role in carbon dioxide sequestration and thus in climate change mitigation. For instance, estimates of carbon sinks
can be compared to total CO2 emissions of an urban region, and the municipality can aim at both increasing carbon sinks and decreasing CO2 emissions with proper land-use planning. Large and contiguous core nature areas, smaller green areas and ecological connections
between them are the essence of regional ecological networks and are essential for maintaining interconnected habitats for
species and thus biological diversity. Thus, both local and regional level ecological networks are vital for maintaining ecosystem
services in urban regions. The impacts of climate change coupled with land-use and land cover change will bring serious challenges
for maintaining ecosystem services in urban areas. Although not yet widely used in planning practices, the ecosystem services
approach can provide an opportunity for land-use planning to develop ecologically sustainable urban regions. Currently, information
on ecosystem services of urban regions is lacking and there is a need to improve the knowledge base for land-use planning. |
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