Urban Ecology Research Lab Archives - Page 3 of 4

Ecological Design For Urban Waterfronts

Dyson, Karen; Yocom, Ken. (2015). Ecological Design For Urban Waterfronts. Urban Ecosystems, 18(1), 189 – 208.

Abstract

Urban waterfronts are rarely designed to support biodiversity and other ecosystem services, yet have the potential to provide these services. New approaches that integrate ecological research into the design of docks and seawalls provide opportunities to mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization and recover ecosystem function in urban waterfronts. A review of current examples of ecological design in temperate cities informs suggestions for future action. Conventional infrastructures have significant and diverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The impacts of conventional infrastructure are reduced where ecological designs have been implemented, particularly by projects adding microhabitat, creating more shallow water habitat, and reconstructing missing or altered rocky benthic habitats. Opportunities for future research include expanding current research into additional ecosystems, examining ecological processes and emergent properties to better address ecosystem function in ecological design, and addressing the impact of and best practices for continuing maintenance. Planned ecological infrastructure to replace aging and obsolete structures will benefit from design feedback derived from carefully executed in situ pilot studies.

Keywords

Coastal Defense Structures; Fixed Artificial Habitats; Marine Habitats; Intertidal Seawalls; Benthic Communities; Reconciliation Ecology; Subtidal Epibiota; Rocky Shores; Reef; Biodiversity; Ecological Design; Seawalls; Habitat; Waterfront; Urban Infrastructure; Aquatic Ecology

Triggering a Climate Change Dominated Anthropocene: Is it Common Among Exocivilizations

Savitch, Ethan; Frank, Adam; Carroll-Nellenback, Jonathan; Haqq-Misra, Jacob; Kleidon, Axel; Alberti, Marina. (2021). Triggering a Climate Change Dominated Anthropocene: Is it Common Among Exocivilizations? Astronomical Journal, 162(5).

View Publication

Abstract

We seek to model the coupled evolution of a civilization and its host planet through the era when energy harvesting by the civilization drives the planet into new and adverse climate states. In this way, we ask if triggering Anthropocenes of the kind humanity is experiencing might be a generic feature of planet-civilization evolution. This question has direct consequences for both the study of astrobiology and the sustainability of human civilization. Furthermore, if Anthropocenes prove fatal for some civilizations then they can be considered as one form of a Great Filter and are therefore relevant to discussions of the Fermi Paradox. In this study, we focus on the effects of energy harvesting via combustion and vary the planet's initial chemistry and orbital radius. We find that in this context, the most influential parameter dictating a civilization's fate is their host planet's climate sensitivity, which quantifies how global temperatures change as CO2 is added to the atmosphere. Furthermore, this is in itself a function of the planet's atmospheric CO2 level, so planets with low levels of CO2 will have high climate sensitivities and high probabilities of triggering climate change. Using simulations of the coupled nonlinear model combined with semi-analytic treatments, we find that most planets in our initial parameter space experience diminished growth due to climate effects, an event we call a climate-dominated Anthropocene.

Keywords

Habitable Planets; Complex Life; Evolution; Earth

Advancing Urban Ecology toward a Science of Cities

McPhearson, Timon; Pickett, Steward T. A.; Grimm, Nancy B.; Niemela, Jari; Alberti, Marina; Elmqvist, Thomas; Weber, Christiane; Haase, Dagmar; Breuste, Juergen; Qureshi, Salman. (2016). Advancing Urban Ecology toward a Science of Cities. Bioscience, 66(3), 198 – 212.

View Publication

Abstract

Urban ecology is a field encompassing multiple disciplines and practical applications and has grown rapidly. However, the field is heterogeneous as a global inquiry with multiple theoretical and conceptual frameworks, variable research approaches, and a lack of coordination among multiple schools of thought and research foci. Here, we present an international consensus on how urban ecology can advance along multiple research directions. There is potential for the field to mature as a holistic, integrated science of urban systems. Such an integrated science could better inform decisionmakers who need increased understanding of complex relationships among social, ecological, economic, and built infrastructure systems. To advance the field requires conceptual synthesis, knowledge and data sharing; cross-city comparative research, new intellectual networks, and engagement with additional disciplines. We consider challenges and opportunities for understanding dynamics of urban systems. We suggest pathways for advancing urban ecology research to support the goals of improving urban sustainability and resilience, conserving urban biodiversity, and promoting human well-being on an urbanizing planet.

Keywords

Urban Ecology (biology); Urban Biodiversity; Urbanization & The Environment; Life Sciences; Medical Sciences; Comparative Research; Complexity; Conceptual Frameworks; Urban Ecology; Urban Systems; Ecosystem Services; Green Spaces; Resilience; Framework; Systems; Design; Water; Tree

Detecting Patterns of Vertebrate Biodiversity Across the Multidimensional Urban Landscape

Alberti, Marina; Wang, Tianzhe. (2022). Detecting Patterns of Vertebrate Biodiversity Across the Multidimensional Urban Landscape. Ecology Letters, 25(4), 1027 – 1045.

View Publication

Abstract

Explicit characterisation of the complexity of urban landscapes is critical for understanding patterns of biodiversity and for detecting the underlying social and ecological processes that shape them. Urban environments exhibit variable heterogeneity and connectivity, influenced by different historical contingencies, that affect community assembly across scales. The multidimensional nature of urban disturbance and co-occurrence of multiple stressors can cause synergistic effects leading to nonlinear responses in populations and communities. Yet, current research design of urban ecology and evolutionary studies typically relies on simple representation of the parameter space that can be observed. Sampling approaches apply simple urban gradients such as linear transects in space or comparisons of urban sites across the urban mosaic accounting for a few variables. This rarely considers multiple dimensions and scales of biodiversity, and proves to be inadequate to explain observed patterns. We apply a multidimensional approach that integrates distinctive social, ecological and built characteristics of urban landscapes, representing variations along dimensions of heterogeneity, connectivity and historical contingency. Measuring species richness and beta diversity across 100 US metropolitan areas at the city and 1-km scales, we show that distinctive signatures of urban biodiversity can result from interactions between socioecological heterogeneity and connectivity, mediated by historical contingency.

Keywords

Urban Biodiversity; Biodiversity; Species Diversity; Urban Planning; Landscape Ecology; Metropolitan Areas; Beta Diversity; Multidimensional Landscape; Scaling; Spatial Scales; Species Richness; Urban Gradients; Vertebrate Species; Ecological-systems; Diversity; Urbanization; Conservation; Ecosystems; Heterogeneity; Connectivity; Population; Complexity; Evolution; Urban Environments; Synergistic Effect; Nonlinear Response; Research Design; Contingency; Urban Areas; Vertebrates

Revitalizing Urban Waterfronts: Identifying Indicators For Human Well-being

Yocom, Ken P.; Andrews, Leann; Faghin, Nicole; Dyson, Karen; Leschine, Thomas; Nam, Jungho. (2016). Revitalizing Urban Waterfronts: Identifying Indicators For Human Well-being. Aims Environmental Science, 3(3), 456 – 473.

View Publication

Abstract

Waterfront cities worldwide have begun the process of regenerating and developing their formerly industrial waterfronts into land uses that reflect a post-industrial economic vision of mixed urban uses supporting a diverse economy and wide range of infrastructure. These revitalization projects require distinct planning and management tactics to determine project-defined successes inclusive of economic, ecological, and human well-being perspectives. While empirically developed templates for economic and ecological measures exist, the multi-dimensionality and subjective nature of human well-being is more difficult to assess. Through an extensive review of indicator frameworks and expert interviews, our research proposes an organizational, yet adaptable, human well-being indicators framework for the management and development of urban waterfront revitalization projects. We analyze the framework through the lens of two waterfront projects in the Puget Sound region of the United States and identify several key factors necessary to developing project-specific human well-being indicator frameworks for urban waterfront revitalization projects. These factors include: initially specify goals and objectives of a given project, acknowledge contextual conditions including prospective land uses and projected users, identify the stage of development or management to use appropriate indicators for that stage, and develop and utilize data sources that are at a similar scale to the size of the project.

Keywords

Quality-of-life; City Waterfront; Dimensions; Framework; Science; Policy; Urban Waterfront Revitalization; Human Well-being; Indicators; Design And Management

Global Urban Environmental Change Drives Adaptation in White Clover

Santangelo, James S.; Ness, Rob W.; Cohan, Beata; Fitzpatrick, Connor R.; Innes, Simon G.; Koch, Sophie; Miles, Lindsay S.; Munim, Samreen; Peres-neto, Pedro R.; Prashad, Cindy; Tong, Alex T.; Aguirre, Windsor E.; Akinwole, Philips O.; Alberti, Marina; Alvarez, Jackie; Anderson, Jill T.; Anderson, Joseph J.; Ando, Yoshino; Andrew, Nigel R.; Angeoletto, Fabio; Anstett, Daniel N.; Anstett, Julia; Aoki-goncalves, Felipe; Arietta, A. Z. Andis; Arroyo, Mary T. K.; Austen, Emily J.; Baena-diaz, Fernanda; Barker, Cory A.; Baylis, Howard A.; Beliz, Julia M.; Benitez-mora, Alfonso; Bickford, David; Biedebach, Gabriela; Blackburn, Gwylim S.; Boehm, Mannfred M. A.; Bonser, Stephen P.; Bonte, Dries; Bragger, Jesse R.; Branquinho, Cristina; Brans, Kristien, I; Bresciano, Jorge C.; Brom, Peta D.; Bucharova, Anna; Burt, Briana; Cahill, James F.; Campbell, Katelyn D.; Carlen, Elizabeth J.; Carmona, Diego; Castellanos, Maria Clara; Centenaro, Giada; Chalen, Izan; Chaves, Jaime A.; Chavez-pesqueira, Mariana; Chen, Xiao-yong; Chilton, Angela M.; Chomiak, Kristina M.; Cisneros-heredia, Diego F.; Cisse, Ibrahim K.; Classen, Aimee T.; Comerford, Mattheau S.; Fradinger, Camila Cordoba; Corney, Hannah; Crawford, Andrew J.; Crawford, Kerri M.; Dahirel, Maxime; David, Santiago; De Haan, Robert; Deacon, Nicholas J.; Dean, Clare; Del-val, Ek; Deligiannis, Eleftherios K.; Denney, Derek; Dettlaff, Margarete A.; Dileo, Michelle F.; Ding, Yuan-yuan; Dominguez-lopez, Moises E.; Dominoni, Davide M.; Draud, Savannah L.; Dyson, Karen; Ellers, Jacintha; Espinosa, Carlos, I; Essi, Liliana; Falahati-anbaran, Mohsen; Falcao, Jessica C. F.; Fargo, Hayden T.; Fellowes, Mark D. E.; Fitzpatrick, Raina M.; Flaherty, Leah E.; Flood, Padraic J.; Flores, Maria F.; Fornoni, Juan; Foster, Amy G.; Frost, Christopher J.; Fuentes, Tracy L.; Fulkerson, Justin R.; Gagnon, Edeline; Garbsch, Frauke; Garroway, Colin J.; Gerstein, Aleeza C.; Giasson, Mischa M.; Girdler, E. Binney; Gkelis, Spyros; Godsoe, William; Golemiec, Anneke M.; Golemiec, Mireille; Gonzalez-lagos, Cesar; Gorton, Amanda J.; Gotanda, Kiyoko M.; Granath, Gustaf; Greiner, Stephan; Griffiths, Joanna S.; Grilo, Filipa; Gundel, Pedro E.; Hamilton, Benjamin; Hardin, Joyce M.; He, Tianhua; Heard, Stephen B.; Henriques, Andre F.; Hernandez-poveda, Melissa; Hetherington-rauth, Molly C.; Hill, Sarah J.; Hochuli, Dieter F.; Hodgins, Kathryn A.; Hood, Glen R.; Hopkins, Gareth R.; Hovanes, Katherine A.; Howard, Ava R.; Hubbard, Sierra C.; Ibarra-cerdena, Carlos N.; Iniguez-armijos, Carlos; Jara-arancio, Paola; Jarrett, Benjamin J. M.; Jeannot, Manon; Jimenez-lobato, Vania; Johnson, Mae; Johnson, Oscar; Johnson, Philip P.; Johnson, Reagan; Josephson, Matthew P.; Jung, Meen Chel; Just, Michael G.; Kahilainen, Aapo; Kailing, Otto S.; Karinho-betancourt, Eunice; Karousou, Regina; Kirn, Lauren A.; Kirschbaum, Anna; Laine, Anna-liisa; Lamontagne, Jalene M.; Lampei, Christian; Lara, Carlos; Larson, Erica L.; Lazaro-lobo, Adrian; Le, Jennifer H.; Leandro, Deleon S.; Lee, Christopher; Lei, Yunting; Leon, Carolina A.; Tamara, Manuel E. Lequerica; Levesque, Danica C.; Liao, Wan-jin; Ljubotina, Megan; Locke, Hannah; Lockett, Martin T.; Longo, Tiffany C.; Lundholm, Jeremy T.; Macgillavry, Thomas; Mackin, Christopher R.; Mahmoud, Alex R.; Manju, Isaac A.; Marien, Janine; Martinez, D. Nayeli; Martinez-bartolome, Marina; Meineke, Emily K.; Mendoza-arroyo, Wendy; Merritt, Thomas J. S.; Merritt, Lila Elizabeth L.; Migiani, Giuditta; Minor, Emily S.; Mitchell, Nora; Bazargani, Mitra Mohammadi; Moles, Angela T.; Monk, Julia D.; Moore, Christopher M.; Morales-morales, Paula A.; Moyers, Brook T.; Munoz-rojas, Miriam; Munshi-south, Jason; Murphy, Shannon M.; Murua, Maureen M.; Neila, Melisa; Nikolaidis, Ourania; Njunji, Iva; Nosko, Peter; Nunez-farfan, Juan; Ohgushi, Takayuki; Olsen, Kenneth M.; Opedal, Oystein H.; Ornelas, Cristina; Parachnowitsch, Amy L.; Paratore, Aaron S.; Parody-merino, Angela M.; Paule, Juraj; Paulo, Octavio S.; Pena, Joao Carlos; Pfeiffer, Vera W.; Pinho, Pedro; Piot, Anthony; Porth, Ilga M.; Poulos, Nicholas; Puentes, Adriana; Qu, Jiao; Quintero-vallejo, Estela; Raciti, Steve M.; Raeymaekers, Joost A. M.; Raveala, Krista M.; Rennison, Diana J.; Ribeiro, Milton C.; Richardson, Jonathan L.; Rivas-torres, Gonzalo; Rivera, Benjamin J.; Roddy, Adam B.; Rodriguez-munoz, Erika; Roman, Jose Raul; Rossi, Laura S.; Rowntree, Jennifer K.; Ryan, Travis J.; Salinas, Santiago; Sanders, Nathan J.; Santiago-rosario, Luis Y.; Savage, Amy M.; Scheepens, J. F.; Schilthuizen, Menno; Schneider, Adam C.; Scholier, Tiffany; Scott, Jared L.; Shaheed, Summer A.; Shefferson, Richard P.; Shepard, Caralee A.; Shykoff, Jacqui A.; Silveira, Georgianna; Smith, Alexis D.; Solis-gabriel, Lizet; Soro, Antonella; Spellman, Katie, V; Whitney, Kaitlin Stack; Starke-ottich, Indra; Stephan, Jorg G.; Stephens, Jessica D.; Szulc, Justyna; Szulkin, Marta; Tack, Ayco J. M.; Tamburrino, Italo; Tate, Tayler D.; Tergemina, Emmanuel; Theodorou, Panagiotis; Thompson, Ken A.; Threlfall, Caragh G.; Tinghitella, Robin M.; Toledo-chelala, Lilibeth; Tong, Xin; Uroy, Lea; Utsumi, Shunsuke; Vandegehuchte, Martijn L.; Vanwallendael, Acer; Vidal, Paula M.; Wadgymar, Susana M.; Wang, Ai-ying; Wang, Nian; Warbrick, Montana L.; Whitney, Kenneth D.; Wiesmeier, Miriam; Wiles, J. Tristian; Wu, Jianqiang; Xirocostas, Zoe A.; Yan, Zhaogui; Yao, Jiahe; Yoder, Jeremy B.; Yoshida, Owen; Zhang, Jingxiong; Zhao, Zhigang; Ziter, Carly D.; Zuellig, Matthew P.; Zufall, Rebecca A.; Zurita, Juan E.; Zytynska, Sharon E.; Johnson, Marc T. J. (2022). Global Urban Environmental Change Drives Adaptation in White Clover. Science, 375(6586), 1275+.

View Publication

Abstract

Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations in 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense that also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients were associated with the evolution of clines in defense in 47% of cities throughout the world. Variation in the strength of clines was explained by environmental changes in drought stress and vegetation cover that varied among cities. Sequencing 2074 genomes from 26 cities revealed that the evolution of urban-rural dines was best explained by adaptive evolution, but the degree of parallel adaptation varied among cities. Our results demonstrate that urbanization leads to adaptation at a global scale.

Keywords

Surface Temperature Retrieval; Cyanogenesis Clines; Hydrogen-cyanide; Gene Flow; F-st; Evolution; Polymorphism; Emissivity; Discovery; Framework; Drought; Urban Environments; Urbanization; Environmental Changes; Herbivory; Urban Development; Adaptation; Chemical Defense; Urban Areas; Data Collection; Trifolium Repens

Global Urban Signatures of Phenotypic Change in Animal and Plant Populations

Alberti, Marina; Correa, Cristian; Marzluff, John M.; Hendry, Andrew P.; Palkovacs, Eric P.; Gotanda, Kiyoko M.; Hunt, Victoria M.; Apgar, Travis M.; Zhou, Yuyu. (2017). Global Urban Signatures of Phenotypic Change in Animal and Plant Populations. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America, 114(34), 8951 – 8956.

View Publication

Abstract

Humans challenge the phenotypic, genetic, and cultural makeup of species by affecting the fitness landscapes on which they evolve. Recent studies show that cities might play a major role in contemporary evolution by accelerating phenotypic changes in wildlife, including animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms. Many studies of ecoevolutionary change have focused on anthropogenic drivers, but none of these studies has specifically examined the role that urbanization plays in ecoevolution or explicitly examined its mechanisms. This paper presents evidence on the mechanisms linking urban development patterns to rapid evolutionary changes for species that play important functional roles in communities and ecosystems. Through a metaanalysis of experimental and observational studies reporting more than 1,600 phenotypic changes in species across multiple regions, we ask whether we can discriminate an urban signature of phenotypic change beyond the established natural baselines and other anthropogenic signals. We then assess the relative impact of five types of urban disturbances including habitat modifications, biotic interactions, habitat heterogeneity, novel disturbances, and social interactions. Our study shows a clear urban signal; rates of phenotypic change are greater in urbanizing systems compared with natural and nonurban anthropogenic systems. By explicitly linking urban development to traits that affect ecosystem function, we can map potential ecoevolutionary implications of emerging patterns of urban agglomerations and uncover insights for maintaining key ecosystem functions upon which the sustainability of human wellbeing depends.

Keywords

Phenotypes; Plant Populations; Animal Populations; Biological Evolution; Ecosystems; Urbanization; Sustainability; Anthropocene; Ecoevolution; Ecosystem Function; Modern Life; Evolutionary; Patterns; Ecology; Rates; Disturbance; Dynamics; Traits; Pace; Studies; Genotype & Phenotype; Sustainable Development; Anthropogenic Factors; Fitness; Human Influences; Urban Areas; Urban Development; Species; Disturbances; Wildlife; Fungi; Wildlife Habitats; Social Interactions; Social Factors; Plants (botany); Landscape

Urban Driven Phenotypic Changes: Empirical Observations and Theoretical Implications for Eco-Evolutionary Feedback

Alberti, Marina; Marzluff, John; Hunt, Victoria M. (2017). Urban Driven Phenotypic Changes: Empirical Observations and Theoretical Implications for Eco-Evolutionary Feedback. Philosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society Of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 372(1712).

View Publication

Abstract

Emerging evidence that cities drive micro-evolution raises the question of whether rapid urbanization of Earth might impact ecosystems by causing systemic changes in functional traits that regulate urban ecosystems' productivity and stability. Intraspecific trait variation-variation in organisms' morphological, physiological or behavioural characteristics stemming from genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity-has significant implications for ecological functions such as nutrient cycling and primary productivity. While it is well established that changes in ecological conditions can drive evolutionary change in species' traits that, in turn, can alter ecosystem function, an understanding of the reciprocal and simultaneous processes associated with such interactions is only beginning to emerge. In urban settings, the potential for rapid trait change may be exacerbated by multiple selection pressures operating simultaneously. This paper reviews evidence on mechanisms linking urban development patterns to rapid phenotypic changes, and differentiates phenotypic changes for which there is evidence of micro-evolution versus phenotypic changes which may represent plasticity. Studying how humans mediate phenotypic trait changes through urbanization could shed light on fundamental concepts in ecological and evolutionary theory. It can also contribute to our understanding of eco-evolutionary feedback and provide insights for maintaining ecosystem function over the long term. This article is part of the themed issue 'Human influences on evolution, and the ecological and societal consequences'.

Keywords

Peromyscus-leucopus Populations; Rapid Evolution; Urbanization; Biodiversity; Adaptation; Dynamics; Birds; Environment; Mechanisms; Morphology; Eco-evolution; Ecosystem Function; Urban Ecology; Ecosystems; Plastic Properties; Urban Environments; Evolution; Phenotypic Plasticity; Feedback; Urban Development; Biological Evolution; Plasticity; Environmental Impact; Nutrient Cycles; Environmental Changes; Productivity; Human Influences; Ecological Effects; Urban Areas; Genetic Variability; Physical Characteristics

Urban Ecology Research Lab

The Urban Ecology Research Laboratory (UERL) is an interdisciplinary team of University of Washington researchers and Ph.D. students studying cities as urban ecosystems. The lab studies urban landscapes as hybrid phenomena that emerge from the interactions between human and ecological processes, and the interactions between urban development and ecosystem dynamics.

As part of the University of Washington’s innovative leadership in urban ecology research and education, the UERL transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries to address some of society’s most challenging problems. UERL research interests include: complexity and resilience in coupled natural and human systems, urban landscape patterns and ecosystem function, urban ecosystem management, modeling land cover change, adaptation and scenario planning. The UERL assists planners, decision makers and non-governmental organizations in making informed decisions about urban development in a rapidly changing environment.

The Urban Ecology Research Laboratory is directed by Professor Marina Alberti, and includes interdisciplinary PhD students, post-doctoral research associates, research scientists, and affiliate faculty from diverse disciplines who collaborate to study coupled natural and human systems.

Urban@UW helps BE labs collaborate

The Urban@UW initiative brings together labs that study urban issues from across the University of Washington. Urban@UW works with scholars, policymakers, and community stakeholders in order to strengthen the connection between research and solutions to urban issues through cross-disciplinary and cross-sector collaborative research. Key functions of Urban@UW include amplifying public awareness of ongoing projects, connecting researchers with outside constituencies, providing staff and administrative support services, and providing pilot funding and fundraising assistance. Multiple BE labs are involved, including the Northwest…