Urban ecosystems : understanding the human environment / Robert A.Francis ,Michael A.Chadwick

Cover; Urban Ecosystems; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; List of illustrations; Preface; 1 An introduction to urban ecology and urban ecosystems; 2 Urban form, structure and dynamics; 3 The urban ecosystem: an overview; 4 Ecosystems within urban regions: green space; 5 Ecosystems within urban regions: the built environment; 6 Urban species; 7 Nature conservation in urban regions; 8 Incorporating ecology in urban planning and design; 9 The future of urban ecosystems; References; Index.

With over half of the global human population living in urban regions, urban ecosystems may now represent the contemporary and future human environment. Consisting of green space and the built environment, they harbour a wide range of species, yet are not well understood. This book aims to review what is currently known about urban ecosystems in a short and approachable text that will serve as a key resource for teaching and learning related to the urban environment. It covers both physical and biotic components of urban ecosystems, key ecological processes, and the management of ec.