Chapter 1- Introduction to urban ecology.pptx

This presentation is an introduction to the urban environment, discussing the meaning of urban ecology and how it's affected, and how that power in maintaining the ecology and environmental health of our urban setting affects our lives. It also discusses the ways architecture can be a major fixing.

1. CHAPTER ONE Introduction to Urban Ecology

2. Ecological Knowledge The basic understanding of ecological planning processes on all levels of decision making Global Country Regional City Site(Open Space) Building……etc the science of planning & the art of design Definitions and basic concepts of Ecology 2

3. What is Ecology? Origin of the word Greek origin: ‘ Oikos ’ = household/home ‘Logos’ = study of… Study of the “household/ env’t ” in which living organisms live. The term “ecology” was coined by Ernst Haeckel. 3

4. Study of how organisms interact with one another and their physical env’ts Ecology - the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment. 4 There are a number of definitions. Most focus on the interactions b/n organisms and their env’t . Definitions The comprehensive science of the r/ nship of the organism to the env’t (to both its organic & its inorganic env’t (Ernst Haeckel, 186 9 ) The science of all the r/ns of all organisms to all their env’ts (Taylor,1936)

5. The science of the interrelation b/n living organisms & their env’ts , including both the physical and biotic env’ts , and emphasizing interspecies as well as intraspecies r/ns ( Allece et al., 1949) The scientific study of the distribution & abundance of organisms (Andrewartha, 1961) The study of env’tal interactions which control the welfare of living things, regulating their distribution, abundance, production & evolution( Petrides , 1968) The study of the structure & function of ecosystems/nature ( Odum 1963) 5

6. 1. The composition of the biological community including species, numbers, biomass, life history and distribution in space of populations. 2. The quantity and distribution of the abiotic (non-living) materials such as nutrients, water, etc. 3. The range, or gradient, of conditions of existence such as temperature, light, etc. Structure?

7. The rate of biological energy flow through the ecosystem, that is, the rates of production and the rates of respiration of the populations and the community. 2. The rate of material or nutrient cycling, that is, the biogeochemical cycles. 3. The biological or ecological regulation including both regulation of organisms by environment and regulation of environment by organisms. Function?

8. The scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution & abundance of organisms ( krebs , 1972) The scientific study of the r/n s/ ps of living organisms with each other and with their env’ts ( Southwick, 1976) biological interactions among individuals, communities and populations science of ecosystems (the interrelations of biotic components with abiotic components) 8

9. According to Haekel , “By ecology it is to mean the body of knowledge concerning the economy of nature . ” As he implied, ecology and economics are closely related Both are concerned with resource allocation Ecology and economics use the same mathematical models 9

10. Study of interactions between Non-living components in the env’t : Water Wind Nutrients in soil Solar energy Atmosphere, etc. and Living organisms Plants Animals Microorganisms. As a scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments, it is used to make decisions about env’tl issues 10

11. Thus, ecology is: the study of the interactions that take place among organisms and their environment the study of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in environments an integrated and dynamic study of the env’t . 11 Basic concepts … Con’d

12. 12 Concerned with humans, plants & animals As physics is to engineering , ecology is to env’tal studies - the principle of Ecology to alter the env’t Humans Plants Animals Env’t

13. Interactions b/n organisms and their env’t                                                         Interactions determine distribution and abundance of organisms. Two main theme in ecology are:        - Where do organisms live? & Why?        - How many organisms are present? & Why? An organism’s env’t has both abiotic and biotic components.                                                Abiotic components : nonliving chemical and physical factors such as temp., light, water, and nutrients.                              Biotic components : living factors such as other organisms.                                    13

14. Levels of o rganization in Ecology Ecological research scale ranges from individuals to the biosphere Biosphere the global ecosystem/Surface of the earth i.e. - Sum of all Earth's ecosystems - Composed of many ecosystems Largest and broadest area of study for ecologists e.g. Research on global climate change & its effect on living things as an ecology at the biosphere scale. Can be pictured as an "envelope" of air, land, and water supporting all living things on Earth. 14

15. 15 Ecosystem: is a collection of all the organisms that live together in a particular place as well as their nonliving or physical environment, i.e. it includes both the abiotic and biotic factors of an area all abiotic factors plus all organisms that exist in a certain area i.e. Ecosystem ecology Can be large or small E.g. Gambela NP vs Awash NP It consists of both the atmosphere of several km high to oceans to a depth of several km

16. 16 Population - groups of individuals that belong to the same spp. and live in the same area the study of a group of individuals of the same species. ecological experiments often examine factors of an environment affecting size and growth of a population Community – All of the organisms that inhabit a particular area i.e. a ll populations (diff. species) that live in a particular area. assemblages of the d/t populations that live together in a defined area i.e. interacting species within a particular area.

17. 17 Species - a group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed. concerned about the way in which an individual interacts with its env’t . Landscape ecology : interactions among ecosystems Biome - a group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. Thus , ecology explores a wide range of questions about what factors control the distribution , abundance and behavior of organisms. E.g. some animal and plant species are unique in some Ethiopian high lands.

18. biome ecosystem community population organism organ system organ tissue smallest unit of living things group of similar cells organized to work together group of different kinds of tissues working together group of organs working together one individual living thing all organisms of the same kind living in one area all interacting populations in an ecosystem all living and nonliving things interacting within a certain area large region with typical plants and animals that includes several ecosystems cell 18 Basic concepts … Con’d

19. A main goal of ecological study is to recognize problems that are connected to anthropogenic uses of nature , and to figure out solutions for a better development and a higher quality of life for humans. Goal of ecological study

20. Thus “ ecological planning implies the optimal utilization of the earth's resources , both renewable and non-renewable, for development activities, conservation of what is rare and precious in nature and preservation of the quality of environment for the healthy growth of life"

21. Ecological planning seeks to improve and protect environmental quality for residents both through controlling the generation of pollution and through segregating activities that are environmentally incompatible. Effective ecological planning requires the effective interaction and overlay between three components – hardware, software and heartware . Hardware consists of the physical fabrics – landscape, infrastructure, buildings, railway, roads etc.. Software consists of sets of rules, and regulations, laws and legislations, including ethics and traditionally established code of conduct. Heartware is an individual’s emotional mechanism, behavior and conduct, which determines one’s own needs, wants and wishes. It also determines the process by which the individual's interaction with the surrounding environment takes place.

22. 22 Landscape is a component of the ecosystem and has five main compositional elements: Landform, Vegetation, Water, Paving and Structures.  Landscape Design is the art of arranging these five elements to make good outdoor space. Garden Design is a specialized branch of Landscape Design , concerned with  private space and private goods. The difference between the two arts is that one is concerned with private space and one with public space. The aims of landscape planning and design are to conserve and create good outdoor space , which can be categorized as social, ecological and aesthetic. The means of creating good outdoor space is through the arrangement and composition of these five elements: landform, water, vegetation, paving and structures Needs ecological knowledge

23. 23 Humans inhabit two worlds. The natural world: plants, animals, soils, air, and water. The world of human society : technology, social institutions and artifacts that we create for ourselves using science, technology, and political organization. Both are essential to our lives What is Urban? The United Nations defines “urban” as an area with more than 20,000 people, comprising all territory, population and housing units in urbanized areas

24. 24 Urban ecology is both a concept and a field of study. It focuses on interactions between humans, urban ecosystems, and the built environment. It is the ecology of all organisms – including humans – in urban environments, as well as environments that are impacted by the construction, expansion and operation of cities Urban Ecology

25. The interdisciplinary concept of urban ecology covers multiple branches of science which deal with the linkages and relationships between biotic communities and their abiotic environment as well as between urban nature , city dwellers and urban planners Urban Ecology…

26. The ecology of urban areas can be characterized as follows (Sukopp, 1997 ): high number of disturbances exist, whereupon the level of disturbance becomes more and more important from the rural outskirts to the city centre. Urban soils are partly sealed, heavily enriched with nutrients and toxic substances, and partly transported artificially into the city and redistributed; The climate is modified. The air quality is reduced and the urban air is loaded with CO 2 , nitrogen oxides, ozone, and particulate matter which is a problem for human health Urban waterways and lakes are characterized by their missing connection to terrestrial habitats and contain a high concentration of nutrients and pollutants Characteristics of Urban Ecology

27. Characteristics of Urban Ecology… The composition of the urban flora is highly modified . An outstanding attribute of the urban flora and fauna is an increased proportion of non-native species ; Natural habitats are almost nonexistent and mostly small in size. They usually exist only as small islands or patches. Many different animals, especially species such as rodents and opportunistic birds, profit greatly from the increased food supply over the entire year.

28. 28 The basic goal of urban ecology is essentially to foster urban sustainable development through the creation of a quality living conditions that are conducive for human health, livelihood, well being and prosperity It typically addresses environmental issues/problems arising from pollution of the environment and the depletion of natural resources The overall Goal of Urban ecology is to improve and enhance the health and quality of life of all citizens and to promote sustainable social and economic development through the sound management and use of natural, human-made and cultural resources and the environment as a whole so as to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

29. 29 Approaches to urban ecology Urban area are engines of development. Concentration of industries Concentration of population, income/affluence, over-consumption and poverty. Concentration of land use and related conflicts, waste generation and pollution. It is vital for control, regulation, and monitoring (management) of urban development processes for environmental sustainability .

30. Humans inhabit two worlds One is the natural world of plants, animals, soils, air, and water that preceded us by billions of years and of which we are a part. The other is the world of human society, technology, social institutions and cultural world that we create for ourselves using science, technology, and political organization. Both worlds are essential to our lives, but integrating them successfully causes enduring tensions. all constitute important parts of our environment.

31. Functions of the environment Function of the environment - various functions of the four interacting spheres Atmosphere Provides shelter, air, rain, temperature regulation, energy and supports many natural and socio-economic processes. The Hydrosphere provides water, habitat for much of biodiversity, regulates temperature and supports several other physical, biological and socio-economic systems. 31

32. Lithosphere Provides land, soil, subsurface for life, minerals, etc i.e. provides a diversity of resources to human life. Biosphere A very complex set of relationships with the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. 32 Functions..…cont’d

33. Abiotic Factors Nonliving physical and chemical conditions of an env’t i.e. the nonliving parts of an ecosystem Affects the abundance and distribution of species E.g. abiotic factors in the env’t are sunlight, water, T , soil, and wind factors of interest include          climate - the major factor affecting distribution of terrestrial organisms incorporates: Water( precipitation) , Sunlight, Temperature (range from 0 to 45 C), Soil, Wind (increases heat & water loss)                                 33

34. Sunlight The source of light and energy almost for all ecosystems Powers photosynthesis – the main producers for terrestrial ecosystems Water Can dissolve gases and solutes such as oxygen and salt Terrestrial organisms have adaptations allowing them to keep from drying out and losing water quickly Temperature Most life exists between 0°C and 50°C Most enzymes are denatured >50°C Some organisms have adapted to exist in extreme temperatures (over 80°C)   34

35.   Soil Product of abiotic forces (water, wind, etc) and actions of organisms on the rocks and minerals of the Earth's crust Structure and chemical makeup of soil and rock affect plants , affecting the other organisms that can exist there Wind Affects distribution and activities of organisms Moves clouds and rain and stirs up bodies of water (creating currents & bringing nutrients from bottom of lakes Plants depend on wind to disperse pollen and seeds to grow 35

36. Biotic Factors   the living parts of an ecosystem living organisms include plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms in an environment Interact with each other in complex ways also interact with abiotic factors in the ecosystem Parasitism, mutualism, competition, etc dependent upon water, minerals, temperature, light such as thus Thus, affect distribution of organisms 36

37. Reasons The earth is an ecosystem The earth is the source of our life support system - From the earth we derive energy and nutrients To the earth we give our bodies when we die - For these reasons, we want to understand ecology 37 Why should WE care about ecology?

38. Almost half the world ’ s population, some 3 billion people, live in metropolitan areas The number of people living in cities has risen dramatically since the industrial revolution , as opportunities for employment have expanded in urban areas and the demand for agricultural labour has declined with increasing mechanization. Tremendous pressure is exerted on existing ecosystems worldwide. Why is Urban Ecology Important? In the early 21st century three remarkable challenges hover over Humankind: First, increasingly people inhabit the Earth . Second, more people live in urban areas . Third, as a result of population growth and urbanization, ecosystems are changing on a global scale. Consequently, the human activities are driving these changes and threatening many of the ecological services that are essential to society.

39. Historically, urbanization has been associated with significant economic and social transformations. For example, urban living is linked with higher levels of literacy and education , better health, lower fertility and a longer life expectancy, greater access to social services and enhanced opportunities for cultural and political participation. The growth in urban areas comes from both the increase in migration to the cities and the fertility of urban populations . This movement in population led to other changes in land use, economic activity and culture. Figure : Changing proportion of urban and rural population in Ethiopia from 1950 to 2050 The case of Ethiopia

40. Addis Ababa has been experiencing an extraordinary population growth since the past couple of years. This population growth through both migration and new borne requires additional social service including education, health care and social security. The case of Addis Ababa Much of urban migration is driven by rural populations ’ desire for the advantages that urban areas offer. Urban advantages include greater opportunities to receive education, health care, and services such as entertainment .

41. Why is urban ecology interesting? Urban ecology is interesting for at least five reasons: (i) urban environments are extensive and growing ; population growth (iii) they are ideal for testing and developing ecological theory : Much ecological theory has been developed to explain the distribution, diversity, behavior and interactions of organisms in relatively pristine habitats away from human disturbance ( e.g . the theory of ecological niche, interspecific competition, optimal foraging, predator-prey relations, food webs, and the neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography ). (ii) their ecology is inherently interesting : urban environments are of fundamental ecological interest, partly because they can be so different from the habitats they replace;

42. (iv) the nature of urban environments affects the health and wellbeing of their human inhabitants: access to green nature and open space in cities provides opportunities to exercise and improves mental health (v) they are important for conserving biological diversity: urbanization often creates a conflict between the needs of humans and other spp .