What is Urban Ecology? Notes

Social Factors Interactions between humans Interactions between humans and their environment Health of people Government support Economic development Public transportation

Biological Factors Biodiversity Health of life forms Disease Wildlife Vegetation -plants, trees, grass, bushes,

Physical Factors Location and layout Mountains, rivers, creeks, valleys, hills, trees Buildings, parking lots, roads, homes, Climate, temperature, atmosphere Electricity Food availability Clean / dirty

Chemical Factors Quality of air, water, soil, pollution

Urban Ecology New branch in environmental science Understand the health of cities and the threats that face them

Urban Ecology Study of trees, rivers, wildlife, and open spaces City resources - water, air, soil Affects of pollution, overdevelopment, and over population

Why study urban ecology? Cities are living ecosystems To promote the health of people and their environment Help residents and policy makers make better decisions and take action

Why study urban ecology? Observe local birds Clean up water Clean up air Clean up abandoned property (brownfields) Create parks and gardens Plant trees Social connection with environment

Urban Ecosystems Include an interaction of biotic factors People Living organisms Abiotic Factors Water, soil, air Man Made Factors Buildings, roads, cars….

Connection between Humans and Ecology Humans influence ecological factors plants, animals, air, and soil Ecological factors influence human decisions Where to build houses, parks, highways, schools, hospitals

Puzzle Take out page 30 in your packet 6. Cities are complex urban ecosystems Urban ecosystems are like a puzzle Social, biological, physical, and chemical To understand how an urban ecosystem works you need to understand that the four factors have impacts on each other

Assignment What biological factors in cities are impacted by the presence humans? What physical factors in cities are impacted by the presence humans? What social factors in cities are impacted by the presence or absence humans? What chemical factors in cities are impacted by the presence humans?