Biodiversity in Cities and its Importance in Built Environment
Urban areas cover only 2.7% of the world surface (Center for International Earth Science Information Network 2004) and have been inhabited by the majority of the human population since 2008 (United Nations 2008).
Urbanization is most likely to
The effect of urban land conversion on a given landscape as a function of its original composition:
decrease biodiversity. The effect on biodiversity also depends on where urbanization occurs. High-status districts are located along forests, parks, and rivers that have a high quantity and quality of green space. However, green space in general does not guarantee high biodiversity.
Biodiversity in cities provide diverse range of plants and animals, which often occur as unusual or unique communities. But in case of rural areas, as less development happens, natural habitats are usually conserved. Maintaining our connection with nature is a fundamental need and has significant implications for the quality of life of city dwellers. The presence of biodiversity in urban areas provides us with additional environmental and economic benefits including cleaner air and water, more attractive properties and recreational areas. By examining the planning and development process and promoting best practice, we can ensure that nature and natural processes are employed to help support a functioning city and that our biodiversity resources are safeguarded.
WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?
• An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature about interaction between its biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. Ponds, lakes, meadows, marshlands, grasslands, deserts and forests are examples of natural ecosystem. • Biodiversity is the degree of variation of species of flora and fauna. Flora and
fauna are the plant and animal life of a region in a period of time. That may sound simple, but the ecosystem created by the interdependence of these two life forms is not simple at all. Traditionally there are three levels at which biological variety has been identified:
GENETIC DIVERSITY: which is passed on from generation to generation SPECIES DIVERSITY: variety of species within a region ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY: the ecosystem in which communities exist • ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY: Most supporting, cultural, and regulating services are not valued because the willingness of people to pay for these services—which are not privately owned or traded—cannot be directly observed or measured. In addition, it is recognized by many people that biodiversity has intrinsic value, which cannot be valued in conventional economic terms.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY • CLIMATE CHANGE • ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES – Habitat destruction – Change in land use/ Lack of Natural Water Bodies – Resource mismanagement- deforestation (environmental degradation; unsustainable ecological practices)
• • • •
– Poaching – Festivals/ Recreational – Plantation of Invasive Species MIGRATION SPECIES LOSS RATES (extinction rates) – Biotic exchange (inward breeding among small groups/ clusters) POLLUTION RADIATION FROM MOBILE TOWERS
BIODIVERSITY IN URBAN CITIES
• URBAN ECOLOGY: scientific study of the relation of living organisms with each other and their surroundings in the context of an urban environment. •
The boundaries of urban ecosystems are often set by watersheds, air sheds,
commuting radius, or convenience, etc. In other words, boundaries of urban ecosystems are set in the same ways and for the same reasons as are the boundaries in any other ecosystem study.
• Urban environments are often sub-divided into green space, grey space, brownfield sites and private gardens and balconies. Each of these provides their own opportunities for biodiversity enhancement. • URBAN GREEN SPACE
– – – – –
Doorstep and communal green space (including balconies and courtyards) Institutional land Parks and gardens parks; private residential gardens River corridors and floodplains Coastal zones
BIODIVERSITY AND HUMAN SETTLEMENT • •
Fauna species in rural areas are very few in number but they can sustain themselves in the
natural habitats for a longer time, which compared to those in cities, cannot. There is more variety of fauna species found in cities, as there is more variation in flora. If there is even a smaller modification in these habitats these species cannot/find it difficult to survive.
Example: Role of Birds • • •
Birds as Indicator of Pollution (e.g. amount of DDT used in crops and its effect on bird eggs and hatching) Role of Birds as Pollinators Psychological Impact of Birds on Human beings (observe birds, see them fly and listen to birdsong as a natural soundtrack)
Places in cities where maximum biodiversity is found (ideal location to spot biodiversity or observe flora fauna relationship-
Some specific patterns observed/found, which help us understand bird habitats in a more profound way --
Location in and around Ahmedabad with rich biodiversity/ built environment:
1
7
2 10
6 5
8
11
9
4
3
1. Sabarmati river upstream 2. Gandhi Asharam 3. Ghodasar lake 4. Kankaria lake, Maninagar 5. CEPT University, Navrangpura 6. CEE campus 7. Science city campus 8. Shilaj lake, Thaltej 9. Swaminarayan mandir, Kalupur 10. Vastrapur lake 11. Sabarmati river downstream
Source: https://www.kisspng.com/png-ahmedabad-district-city-map-ahmedabad-district-3101748/download-png.html
What can we do?
How can we get more sensitive about the existence of such environmental conditions and co exist with Nature? :
Jungle book, 2016
A place to pause and spend time- Urban and Rural Fringe in Cities
Melbourne city skyline
Carefully managed Nature preserve
KAAS Plateau, Maharashtra
Community-based natural resource management
Archiprix entry, 2017: Rahul S., CEPT University
Respect nature
Forest Machan, Jambulne, Lonavla
Adapt to Micro planning approaches- Sustainability
Use of recycled water for gardening
Rain water harvesting
Organic farming
Thank you
Presentation and talk by:
Ms. Priyanka Kanhare Patel Architect – Landscape Architect – Independent Researcher – Academician Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India