Nature in the metropolis: Mapping biodiversity using metropolitan landscape characterization tools

Nature in the metropolis: Mapping biodiversity using metropolitan landscape characterization tools

Tisma, A.
van der Velde, J.R.T.
Nijhuis, S.
Pouderoijen, M.T.

Architecture and The Built Environment

Urbanism

2014-12-31

Cities can be planned and designed to reduce their effect on biodiversity loss and may even be able to sustain biodiversity levels in some instances, due to ‘beta-diversity’. The heterogeneity of metropolitan regions can be expected to have a strong impact on beta-diversity. Tools such as landscape characterization can assist in the understanding of betadiversity in metropolitan regions by mapping the extent and configuration of beta-diversity conditions, in particular microhabitats and habitat mosaic configurations. A new tool for landscape characterization of metropolitan areas (MLC) trialled on the Rotterdam metropolitan region generated thirty-six distinctive landscape types - twelve continuous and twentyfour discontinuous (hybrid) types. Hybrid landscape types are present throughout the whole of the territory and are potential micro-habitats for flora and fauna. The interrelationship of continuous and discontinuous (hybrid) landscape types are potentially valuable habitat mosaic configurations.

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d6daf10e-3b3d-484c-824a-413f3a1f659c

School of Sciences, University of Porto

9789729607677

Proceedings of the ECLAS conference : Landscape, a place of cultivation, Porto (Portugal) 21-23 Sept. 2014

Institutional Repository

conference paper

(c) 2014 The Authors