Urban Ecosystems

Feature Urban Ecosystems Natural Ecosystems

Surface -buildings, paved roads, & -plants

Features parking areas
 Urban Ecosystems
Feature Urban Ecosystems Natural Ecosystems

Surface -buildings, paved roads, & -plants

Features parking areas
Plant -low density of plants -high diversity of
Species -mostly grasses, trees, shrubs native species
 Urban Ecosystems
Feature Urban Ecosystems Natural Ecosystems

Plant -low density of plants -high diversity of

Species -mostly grasses, trees, shrubs native species
Animal -low diversity & abundance -high density &
Species -mostly dogs, cats, mice, rats, diversity of native
pigeons, starlings, & sparrows species
 Urban Ecosystems
Feature Urban Ecosystems Natural Ecosystems

Animal -low diversity & abundance -high density &

Species -mostly dogs, cats, mice, rats, diversity of native
pigeons, starlings, & sparrows species
Water -water enters sewers -surface water in
Cycle -most of surface cannot ponds, rivers, & lakes
absorb water -most rainfall
absorbed at surface
 Urban Ecosystems
Feature Urban Ecosystems Natural Ecosystems

Water -water enters sewers -surface water in

Cycle -most of surface cannot ponds, rivers, & lakes
absorb water -most rainfall
absorbed at surface
Flow of -massive shipments of -natural nutrient
Materials materials to supply human cycles occur
demand for consumer goods throughout
-human body waste collected, ecosystem
treated, & released
-household waste disposed of
in surrounding environment
 Urban Ecosystems
Feature Urban Ecosystems Natural Ecosystems

Flow of -massive shipments of -natural nutrient

Materials materials to supply human cycles occur
demand for consumer goods throughout
-human body waste collected, ecosystem
treated, & released
-household waste disposed of
in surrounding environment
Food -dependent on importing food -natural food
Webs from outside agro- pyramids with
ecosystems decomposition occur
throughout
ecosystem
 Urban Ecosystems
Feature Urban Ecosystems Natural Ecosystems

Food -dependent on importing food -natural food

Webs from outside agroecosystems pyramids with
decomposition occur
throughout
ecosystem
Sustain- -cannot be sustained without -completely
ability large shipments of material sustainable
from outside
 Urban Ecosystems

Greener Cities
 Urban Ecosystems

Greener Cities: creating urban areas that are

more sustainable
-require less from outside
e.g.
 Urban Ecosystems

Greener Cities: creating urban areas that are

more sustainable
-require less from outside
e.g. reducing import from outside
-vegetable gardens
-composting
-rainwater collection
-high density housing
 Urban Ecosystems

Greener Cities: creating urban areas that are

more sustainable
-require less from outside
e.g. reducing export to outside
-composting
-recycling
-reusing building supplies
-energy efficiency