Private Urban Greenspaces or “Patios” as a Key Element in the Urban Ecology of Tropical Central America Presented by Shannon Slivinske

The urban ecology of patio-gardens are valuable in connecting the environment with urban green space and quality of life. Increasing interest factors: climate change exotics/invasives habitat/wildlife conservation sustainability

Study Area Leon, West Nicaragua Founded 1610 Adjacent to indigenous Sutiaba settlement Altitude 109 m Dry tropical climate 1385 mm annual rain, peak between May & Oct. 27°C, varying +/- 3° yearly

Indigenous sp. Found in Patios Common forest sp.: Bursera simaruba, Calycophyllum candidissimum Ceiba pentrandra. Common tree and bush sp. of degraded area: Pithecellobium dulce Gliricidia sepium Byrsonima crassifolia Crescentia alata

Patios are a Basic Element of Leon Dwellings

Hypothesis 1. urban plant diversity reflects cultural and historical processes 2. urban plant diversity independent of historical dynamics, depends on individual Additional implications: - Ecological functioning and resource provisions - Reservoir for native species/resource patch/corridor - Microclimate/climate control for inner-city dwellings

53 houses in July-Sept. '01 30 houses in July-Sept. '02 Total houses: 83 Total patios: 96 Patio vegetation floristic/structural composition Patio structure and management Categorized by plant species, diversity and rarity indicies Methods and Data

Results 293 spp. Mean richness: Standard deviation: Half = < 6 patios 80% tropical 37.54% native 57.67% exotic

Composition, Diversity and Structure Colonial and transitional- greatest sp./area, little spontaneous Indigenous- greatest sp. richness, spontaneous (or self-seeded) and rare Recent- greatest diversity but lowest richness and sp./area, high spontaneity

Common Species

Species Mean and Percentage No significant difference in plant cover except: Colonials having no understory trees (5-15m) Indigenous having majority of canopy trees (15m+) and more than half of their overall species are woody

Human Management Variables Colonial- Center of historical district Corridors (microclimate and air circulation) Transitional- Colonial in poorer state Peripheral to historical Indigenous- Neighboring village Lowest architectural complexity Highest garden-patio area Recent- City outskirts Low economic power Cheap, small housing

Main Uses

Linear Elements

Indigenous Patio-Gardens -Preserved original structure and floristic composition variably - Ecological/ethnobotanical diversity -Complex agroforestry, dry tropical forest Closest: Ornamentals, herbaceous, spices, medicinals, small bushes/palms (irrigated) Farther: Fruit trees & interplanted timber trees Farthest: Spontaneous

Conclusion Indigenous patios-- sustainable agroforestry systems: 60 sp. rich- substantial diversity soil conservation (erosion, fertility) microclimate endogenous inputs provides alternative or extra income water conscious PAR interception socialization health benefits Colonial patios-- historical and ecological: Architectural microclimate outstanding mature tree specimens frequent uncommon species 40 sp. Rich (higher diversity)

Patios in urban environments are of ecological importance both to humans and surrounding environment and in enhancing quality of life with personal green space.

Works Cited Molles, Manuel C. Jr., Species Diversity. Ecology: Concepts and Applications 4 th ed., Torquebiau, Emmanuel, Are Tropical Agroforestry Home Gardens Sustainable? Agric. Ecosystems Environ., 41 : Fernandes, E. C. M. and P. K. R. Nair, An Evaluation of the Structure and Function of Tropical Homegardens. Agric. Systems, 21: