{"id":1532,"date":"2025-11-04T08:00:54","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T09:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/?p=1532"},"modified":"2025-11-04T15:28:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T15:28:51","slug":"biodiversity-and-building-better-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/2025\/11\/04\/biodiversity-and-building-better-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"Biodiversity and Building Better Cities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Biodiversity is like a symphony orchestra, where each species is an instrument playing a unique part, contributing to the balance and harmony of an ecosystem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I like to think of biodiversity<\/em><\/a> as a symphony orchestra, where each note, each instrument\u2014every single part\u2014is needed to make the whole. In the concert called \u201cbiodiversity,\u201d then, every species, from microscopic life to towering trees and vast oceans, plays a vital role. This soundscape supports us, providing the clean water, food and stable ecosystems essential for all animals\u2019 survival. When the beauty and complexity of this mosaic begin to degrade and fade away, we risk losing the very support systems we depend on.<\/p>\n

Biodiversity is a shifting and slippery entity, though, demonstrated by a recent international study that provides the first global evaluation of all terrestrial vertebrate species that have not been declared extinct. It identifies more than 500 species considered to be \u201clost,\u201d those that haven\u2019t been seen by anyone in more than 50 years. How, then, are we to think of these species: as part of the biodiversity matrix or just gone?<\/p>\n

Birds are an example of what we lose when biodiversity wanes. The extinction of hundreds of bird species caused by humans over the last 130,000 years has led to substantial reductions in \u201cavian functional diversity\u201d\u2014which is a measure of the range of different functions and roles that birds undertake within the environment. Their absence has also resulted in the forfeiture of approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history.<\/p>\n

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Although there are still about 11,000 bird species worldwide, bird extinctions caused by humans over the last 130,000 years have resulted in substantial reductions in \u201cavian functional diversity,\u201d a measure of the range of different roles that birds undertake within the environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Luckily, animals and plants can live and thrive in many environments, even in our cities<\/a> and public squares. A more nature-focused approach to the design of public spaces could create opportunities for greater biodiversity and thus well-being for the human population. And artificial intelligence (AI) can help. AI-driven \u201csentiment maps\u201d built from geotagged Instagram posts reveal how city dwellers feel in specific locations. By pairing emotional signals with Google Street View<\/a> imagery, we can pinpoint which physical features\u2014calming streetscapes, lush parks or safety concerns\u2014spark joy or frustration. The goal: feed these real-time mood insights into urban “digital twins” so planners can design spaces that not only function efficiently but also uplift everyday, human experiences.<\/p>\n

The existence of more than 500 animal species remains uncertain<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species<\/a> (IUCN Red List) defines extinct <\/em>as \u201cwhen there is no reasonable doubt the last individual of a species has died,\u201d which can be challenging to verify. According to biodiversity researchers at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia,<\/a> Canada, who reviewed information on 32,802 species on the list, 562 of them are identified as \u201clost.\u201d Seventy-five of these 562 are categorized as \u201cpossibly extinct.\u201d The existence of so many species with an uncertain conservation status, note these scientists, may become increasingly problematic as the extinction crisis<\/a> worsens and more species go missing.<\/p>\n

A total of 311 terrestrial vertebrate species has been declared extinct since 1500, meaning 80% more species are considered lost than have been declared extinct. Reptiles lead the way with 257 species considered lost, followed by 137 species of amphibians,<\/a> 130 species of mammals and 38 species of birds. Many of these lost animals were last seen in megadiverse countries such as Indonesia (69 species), Mexico<\/a> (33 species) and Brazil<\/a> (29 species).<\/p>\n

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A \u201clost species\u201d is not an official category on the IUCN Red List but a term used by various organizations to describe a species that hasn\u2019t been seen for at least a decade. They require scientific rediscovery and status assessment. The most \u201clost species\u201d are in the reptile category, represented by this chameleon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

While not surprising, this concentration is important, say the researchers, who published their results in the journal Animal Conservation<\/em><\/a> in February 2023. The fact that most of these lost species are found in megadiverse, tropical countries is worrying, because such countries are expected to experience the highest numbers of extinctions in the coming decades.<\/p>\n

The scientists hope that their study will help make these lost species a focus in future searches, suggesting that survey efforts should concentrate on these identified hot spots where the existence of many species remains in question. More funding would be needed to support such hot-spot-targeted fieldwork to either rediscover lost species or to remove the reasonable doubt that a particular lost species does, in fact, still exist.<\/p>\n

Human-caused species loss is far greater than expected<\/strong><\/h3>\n

From the well-documented dodo<\/a> to the recent Kaua\u02bbi \u02bb\u014d\u02bb\u014d songbird<\/a> declared extinct in 2023, scientists currently have evidence of at least 600 bird species that have become extinct since the Late Pleistocene, when modern humans started to spread throughout the world. Using the most comprehensive dataset to date of all known bird extinctions during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene, a research team led by scientists from England\u2019s University of Birmingham have now looked beyond the number of extinctions to the wider implications for the planet.<\/p>\n

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Dodos are extinct birds that once inhabited the Precambrian microcontinent of Mauritia. Since the Late Pleistocene\u2014when modern humans started to spread throughout the world\u2014at least 600 bird species have become extinct because of us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

While the sheer number of bird species that have become extinct is a big part of the extinction crisis, the researchers believe that we also need to understand that every species has a function or job within the environment and, therefore, plays a significant role in its ecosystem. Some birds control pests by eating insects; scavenger birds recycle dead matter;<\/a> others eat fruit and disperse the seeds,<\/a> enabling more plants and trees to grow; and some, like hummingbirds,<\/a> are very important pollinators. When those species die out, the important roles that they play (the functional diversity) goes with them.<\/p>\n

In addition to functional diversity, each species also carries a certain amount of evolutionary history. When a species becomes extinct, state the scientists, it\u2019s like chopping off a branch of the tree of life; and all the associated evolutionary history of diversity is also lost. In fact, the scale of anthropogenic bird extinctions to date has resulted in a loss of approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history and 7% of global avian functional diversity\u2014a significantly larger amount than expected based on the number of extinctions.<\/p>\n

Given the wide range of important ecological roles performed by birds, the loss of avian functional diversity, especially, will likely have (and has had) far-reaching implications. These post-extinction aftershocks include reduced flower pollination, diminished seed dispersal, the breakdown of top-down control of insect populations\u2014including many disease vectors and pests\u2014as well as increased disease outbreaks due to reduced consumption of carrion.<\/p>\n

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Hummingbirds are very important pollinators. When a pollinator species dies out, the important role that it played (its functional diversity) vanishes with it. There is an urgent need to identify the ecological functions being lost through extinctions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Much like the expressed need to focus on extinction hot spots in the earlier study mentioned, the authors of this study\u2014published in the journal Science<\/em><\/a> in October 2024\u2014write in their conclusion that these results are a timely reminder that the current extinction crisis is not just about species numbers. By identifying declines in avian evolutionary history and functional diversity driven by human actions, there is an urgent need to understand the impacts of past anthropogenic extinctions on ecosystem functions in order to prepare for the magnitude of the projected 1,000 bird species that are predicted to die out over the next two centuries. This information is vital for setting effective targets for global conservation strategies, as well as ecosystem restoration and rewilding efforts.<\/a><\/p>\n

North American cities could see a major species turnover by the century\u2019s end<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Urban dwellers tend to bond with the biodiversity around them, from backyard birds to city park foxes and squirrels. But due to the effects of climate change, residents of Canadian and U.S. cities may encounter a different cast of critters by 2100.<\/p>\n

Recently, researchers at Apex Resource Management Solutions and the University of Toronto Mississauga in Canada studied the impact of human-caused climate change on more than 2,000 animal species historically found in the 60 most populous North American cities. First, they used online species distribution databases generated by citizen-science initiatives<\/a> to download a record of terrestrial animal species sightings in each city. They then used machine-learning to predict the most suitable conditions for each species, based on three, differing emissions scenarios by the end of the century.<\/p>\n

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Climate change is going to significantly impact the kinds of animals that we\u2019ll see in our backyards and local green spaces. Over the next few decades, familiar species will be leaving the cities and new species will be entering, forever changing the mix of animals in urban areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Results indicated a turnover of urban biodiversity by 2100 across almost all of the cities measured. Cities with high historic species richness were predicted to have the largest declines and fewest gains in species. Geographically, cooler, wetter cities (such as Kansas City and Omaha) may welcome the most new species, with Ottawa, Quebec and Winnipeg nearly doubling their species roster. Warmer cities with higher precipitation (such as those in coastal California) may lose the most species. Arid southwestern cities, such as Albuquerque and Phoenix, are not expected to experience a dramatic species shift, likely due to their resilient ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Fifty-four species may vanish entirely from the 60 tested cities. When examining changes by taxon, over 95% of bird and insect species were predicted to experience a change in the number of cities they occupy. Amphibians, canines and loons may experience the greatest losses in cities; while mice, pelicans, toads and turtles may become more common overall. The authors of the paper, published in the journal PLOS ONE<\/em><\/a> in March 2024, suggest that \u201can individual who lives a lifetime within the same city will likely observe changes in the species that occur around them.\u201d<\/p>\n

As this is a modeling study, these predictions need to be followed by ecological analyses. Further research will address how variables other than climate affect species distribution and explore how city living may bring additional stressors to animals.<\/a> Future projections are dependent on society\u2019s ability to curb greenhouse gas emissions,<\/a> write the researchers, and they encourage ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity.<\/p>\n

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Humans benefit from having a wide range of animals in their surroundings. Despite the mischief that racoons can sometimes cause, they play an important role in ecosystems by serving as gardeners, pest controllers, seed dispersers and carrion-eating cleanup crews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Urban spaces could be designed for all animals<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We know that biodiversity is the foundation of functional ecosystems: diverse ecosystems are more stable<\/a> and have greater resiliency against the effects of climate change. However, humans also benefit directly from having a wide range of animal and plant life in their surroundings. A growing number of studies have demonstrated the positive effects on our immune systems, microbiomes and moods.<\/p>\n

With rising urbanization, especially, it makes sense to take a closer look at the coexistence of humans and nonhuman animals in cities, say terrestrial ecology researchers at Germany\u2019s Technical University of Munich (TUM). Recently, they studied the biodiversity at 103 public squares in Munich, looking at factors such as artificial light sources; the occurrence of lawn, plant and tree growth; size; and the amount of green space within a 3,000-foot radius of the locations. The public squares varied from almost entirely sealed within city structures to parklike ones.<\/p>\n

The researchers revealed their results in the journal Nature Cities<\/em><\/a> in September 2024. Using Munich as an example, they demonstrated how various kinds of spaces can greatly differ in the animals and other organisms that can live there. At the heavily sealed Marienplatz, for example, only 20 species were counted, with just one bird and one moss species, as well as some bat and insect species. Meanwhile, at Pfrontener Platz, a space with bushes, lawns and trees, 156 taxa were found, including 21 different kinds of birds. At Johannisplatz\u2014with grassy areas, hedges and trees, despite being sealed to a relatively large extent\u2014118 species were present.<\/p>\n

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All species benefit from increased urban vegetation because it creates corridors for movement; provides breeding grounds, food and shelter; helps mitigate urban stressors, like heat and noise pollution; and acts as a stopover point for migrating animals. It thereby increases overall biodiversity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

While it\u2019s not surprising that having more plants is generally beneficial to many animal species, this study also shows that bushes, lawns and trees vary widely in terms of the diversity and numbers of the species they attract. Almost all the species investigated found lawns advantageous, as they are home to soil organisms that serve as a food source. Bushes and trees, too, had positive effects, especially when combined with grassy vegetation.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the science team was able to show that some species seek the heat of city centers, while others prefer the cooler, outlying areas, where there is also less light pollution.<\/a><\/p>\n

So far, most public spaces are designed with humans in mind, with little consideration for other animals. But based on these insights, the researchers conclude that the chances for greater biodiversity are increased if instead of applying the same designs to every location, city planners consider the local conditions and the needs of different species. To encourage more bees,<\/a> for example, they should not only plant nectar-bearing flowers but also provide open spaces for habitats and sources of nest-building materials\u2014even close to city centers since pollinators like warm conditions.<\/p>\n

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To encourage more bee species, city planners should not only plant nectar-bearing flowers but also provide open spaces for habitats. About 70% of North American native bees are ground-nesters and require access to bare, mulched or open soil to thrive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

According to the scientists, although spaces fulfill various functions and not every area is suitable for large-scale restructuring, with just a few measures we can allow for more positive relationships between nature and people. By incorporating factors into urban planning that have a favorable influence on biodiversity, we can maximize the potential to do good not only for the environment but also for ourselves.<\/p>\n

AI knows how to listen to a city’s heartbeat<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In a recent study,<\/a> engineering and geography professors at the University of Missouri took a fresh approach to urban research by using artificial intelligence to explore the emotional side of city life. Their goal was to better understand the link between a city\u2019s physical features and how people feel around them.<\/p>\n

Using public Instagram posts with location tags, the researchers trained an AI tool<\/a> to read the emotional tone of the images and text of the posts, identifying whether people were frustrated, happy or relaxed. Then, using Google Street View and a second AI tool, they analyzed what those places looked like in real life and linked those features to how people felt at the moment they posted to social media.<\/p>\n

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Researchers trained AI on social-media photos to read the emotional tone of the images and texts, identifying whether people were frustrated, happy or relaxed. The resulting “emotional dashboard” could guide smarter, more empathetic urban planning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The result was a digital \u201csentiment map\u201d that shows what people are feeling across a city. Next, they plan to use this information to create a digital version of a city, called an \u201curban digital twin,\u201d that can reveal how people are feeling in real time. This kind of emotional mapping gives city leaders a powerful, new mechanism. Instead of relying solely on surveys\u2014which take time and which may not reach everyone they should\u2014this AI-powered method uses data people already share online. For example, if a new park gets lots of \u201chappy posts,\u201d we can start to understand why, say the researchers. It might be the green space,<\/a> the quiet nature or the sense of community people experience there.<\/p>\n

Beyond parks, this tool could help officials identify areas where people feel unsafe, improve services, plan for emergencies or check in on public well-being after disasters. While AI doesn\u2019t replace human input, it does provide another way to spot patterns and trends that might otherwise be missed and that can lead to smarter decisions.<\/p>\n

The future designs of cities could be guided as much by human experiences as by physical materials, say the researchers. They believe this information about how people feel could one day be shown on digital devices next to traffic and weather updates. They envision a tomorrow where data on how people feel becomes a core part of city dashboards, opening the door to designing cities that not only work well but also feel right to the people who live in them.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNature\u201d has a broad definition. It can mean wide, wild spaces with impressive mountain views or urban sidewalks and our own backyards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The nature of \u201cout there\u201d spaces and \u201curban wilds\u201d are cut from the same cloth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fresh urban designs\u2014aided by artificial intelligence\u2014could make our cities even more pleasant to be in and highly livable, not only for us but for the more-than-humans that also reside in them.<\/p>\n

A city without other animals and plants would be unsustainable and collapse, as human survival depends on ecosystem services like decomposition, nutrient cycling and pollination that are provided by other species. For example, without insects to pollinate crops and break down organic matter, plants would die, soil quality would degrade and human food supplies would disappear. The buildup of waste would be extreme; and the essential cycles that provide clean water, fertile soil and oxygen would cease, making a city uninhabitable for humans.<\/p>\n

For some of us, nature <\/em>means wide, open vistas; mountain ranges that seem to go on forever; roadless wildernesses; and expanses of forests. But for all of us, nature<\/em> also encompasses small city parks, sidewalk buffers and what\u2019s just beyond the walls of our homes.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to finding your true places and natural habitats,<\/span><\/p>\n

Candy<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The post Biodiversity and Building Better Cities<\/a> first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Biodiversity is like a symphony orchestra, where each species is an instrument playing a unique part, contributing to the balance and harmony of an ecosystem. I like to think of biodiversity as a symphony orchestra, where each note, each instrument\u2014every single part\u2014is needed to make the whole. In the concert called \u201cbiodiversity,\u201d then, every species, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1532"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1532"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1532\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1546,"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1532\/revisions\/1546"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1532"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.braceducation.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}