Conserving Biodiversity in Urban Areas

Biodiversity is a crucial part of a healthy planet. A wide variety of species in an ecosystem makes that ecosystem more resilient and better able to adapt to any environmental stress. However in the face of climate change and the unstoppable force of urbanization, biodiversity has been on the decline. As the climate warms and forests are cut down, many species will continue to lose their habitat. This loss of habitat combined with poaching and the spread of invasive species can lead to extinctions. Today’s common approach to conserving biodiversity is to preserve hotspots like rainforests, coral reefs, or anywhere void of humans. The problem with this approach is that it excludes urban areas. Oftentimes once humans have established a built environment, whether it be a city or suburbs, that area is seen as a lost cause for biodiversity. However that does not have to be the case. This research proposal will examine the effects and assumed benefits of biodiversity within urban areas as well as ways that biodiversity can be conserved in these areas.

A wide variety of organisms in a built environment can provide many benefits to that area. First off, trees and other plant species in a city provide ecosystem services that can counter the harmful byproducts of inner city transportation and industry.  Plants improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide out of the air. They also combat the urban heat island effect by cooling the air through evaporation and by providing shade (Dearborn and Kark, 2010).  Biodiversity has also been proven to increase human wellbeing. Interacting with nature improves physiological and psychological health by alleviating stress, lightening mood, and improving cognitive functions (Pinho et al., 2017).  A wide presence of green space in a city also makes for a safer and aesthetically pleasing city while providing habitat for native species like birds, small mammals, and pollinators.