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Hall DM, Camilo GR, Tonietto RK, Ollerton J, Ahrné K, Arduser M, Ascher JS, Baldock KCR, Fowler R, Frankie G, Goulson D, Gunnarsson B, Hanley ME, Jackson JI, Langellotto G, Lowenstein D, Minor ES, Philpott SM, Potts SG, Sirohi MH, Spevak EM, Stone GN, Threlfall CG. The city as a refuge for insect pollinators. Conserv Biol 2017; 31:24-29. [PMID: 27624925 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Research on urban insect pollinators is changing views on the biological value and ecological importance of cities. The abundance and diversity of native bee species in urban landscapes that are absent in nearby rural lands evidence the biological value and ecological importance of cities and have implications for biodiversity conservation. Lagging behind this revised image of the city are urban conservation programs that historically have invested in education and outreach rather than programs designed to achieve high-priority species conservation results. We synthesized research on urban bee species diversity and abundance to determine how urban conservation could be repositioned to better align with new views on the ecological importance of urban landscapes. Due to insect pollinators' relatively small functional requirements-habitat range, life cycle, and nesting behavior-relative to larger mammals, we argue that pollinators put high-priority and high-impact urban conservation within reach. In a rapidly urbanizing world, transforming how environmental managers view the city can improve citizen engagement and contribute to the development of more sustainable urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon M Hall
- Center for Sustainability, Saint Louis University, Des Peres Hall, 203E; 3694 West Pine Mall; St. Louis, MO 63108, U.S.A
| | - Gerardo R Camilo
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, 3507 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103, U.S.A
| | - Rebecca K Tonietto
- Center for Sustainability, Saint Louis University, Des Peres Hall, 203E; 3694 West Pine Mall; St. Louis, MO 63108, U.S.A
| | - Jeff Ollerton
- Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton, NN2 7AL, U.K
| | - Karin Ahrné
- Swedish Species Information Centre-ArtDatabanken, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7007, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mike Arduser
- Missouri Department of Conservation, 2360 Highway D, St. Charles, MO 63304, U.S.A
| | - John S Ascher
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Katherine C R Baldock
- Biological Sciences & Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
| | - Robert Fowler
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, BN 1 9QG, U.K
| | - Gordon Frankie
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, University of California Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall #3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A
| | - Dave Goulson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, BN 1 9QG, U.K
| | - Bengt Gunnarsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mick E Hanley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, U.K
| | - Janet I Jackson
- Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton, NN2 7AL, U.K
| | - Gail Langellotto
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, 2750 SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A
| | - David Lowenstein
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, 2750 SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A
| | - Emily S Minor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois-Chicago, SES 3346, M/C 066, 845 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, U.S.A
| | - Stacy M Philpott
- Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Mailstop: ENVS, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, U.S.A
| | - Simon G Potts
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K
| | - Muzafar H Sirohi
- Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton, NN2 7AL, U.K
| | - Edward M Spevak
- WildCare Institute Center for Native Pollinator Conservation, IUCN SSC Bumblebee Specialist Group, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110, U.S.A
| | - Graham N Stone
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, The University of Edinburgh, The Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, U.K
| | - Caragh G Threlfall
- Green Infrastructure Research Group, The University of Melbourne, Parkville Victoria 3010, Australia
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Abstract
To circumvent the inherent problem of discriminating between the cost of losing photosynthetic tissue and the cost of producing an inducible defence, the growth response of herbivore-damaged plants was compared with plants damaged mechanically to the same extent but without eliciting the defence. Two experiments were conducted, studying the response of willows (Salix cinerea) to damage by adult leaf beetles (Phratora vulgatissima). In the first experiment, willows produced new leaves with an enhanced leaf trichome density 10-20 d after damage, coinciding in time with the feeding of beetle offspring. The response was relaxed in foliage produced 30-40 d after damage. In the second experiment, which also included mechanical damage, willows exposed to beetle feeding showed an increase in leaf trichome density of the same magnitude (> 70%) as in the first experiment. The cost of producing the defence was a 20% reduction in shoot length growth and biomass production. Willows exposed to mechanical damage had an 8% reduction in shoot length growth compared with control plants, that is, a cost of leaf area removal. The results are the first quantitative estimates of the cost of a plant defence induced by natural and low amounts (3.3%) of herbivory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer Björkman
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7044, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Dalin
- Marine Science Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, CA 93106-6150, USA
| | - Karin Ahrné
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7044, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract
The generation of ecosystem services depends on both social and ecological features. Here we focus on management, its ecological consequences, and social drivers. Our approach combined (1) quantitative surveys of local species diversity and abundance of three functional groups of ecosystem service providers (pollinators, seed dispersers, and insectivores) with (2) qualitative studies of local management practices connected to these services and their underlying social mechanisms, i.e., institutions, local ecological knowledge, and a sense of place. It focused on the ecology of three types of green areas (allotment gardens, cemeteries, and city parks) in the city of Stockholm, Sweden. These are superficially similar but differ considerably in their management. Effects of the different practices could be seen in the three functional groups, primarily as a higher abundance of pollinators in the informally managed allotment gardens and as differences in the composition of seed dispersers and insectivores. Thus, informal management, which is normally disregarded by planning authorities, is important for ecosystem services in the urban landscape. Furthermore, we suggest that informal management has an important secondary function: It may be crucial during periods of instability and change as it is argued to promote qualities with potential for adaptation. Allotment gardeners seem to be the most motivated managers, something that is reflected in their deeper knowledge and can be explained by a sense of place and management institutions. We propose that co-management would be one possible way to infuse the same positive qualities into all management and that improved information exchange between managers would be one further step toward ecologically functional urban landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Andersson
- Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 21 A, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Elmqvist T, Colding J, Barthel S, Borgstrom S, Duit A, Lundberg J, Andersson E, Ahrné K, Ernstson H, Folke C, Bengtsson J. The dynamics of social-ecological systems in urban landscapes: Stockholm and the National Urban Park, Sweden. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004; 1023:308-22. [PMID: 15253913 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1319.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This study addresses social-ecological dynamics in the greater metropolitan area of Stockholm County, Sweden, with special focus on the National Urban Park (NUP). It is part of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) and has the following specific objectives: (1) to provide scientific information on biodiversity patterns, ecosystem dynamics, and ecosystem services generated; (2) to map interplay between actors and institutions involved in management of ecosystem services; and (3) to identify strategies for strengthening social-ecological resilience. The green areas in Stockholm County deliver numerous ecosystem services, for example, air filtration, regulation of microclimate, noise reduction, surface water drainage, recreational and cultural values, nutrient retention, and pollination and seed dispersal. Recreation is among the most important services and NUP, for example, has more than 15 million visitors per year. More than 65 organizations representing 175,000 members are involved in management of ecosystem services. However, because of population increase and urban growth during the last three decades, the region displays a quite dramatic loss of green areas and biodiversity. An important future focus is how management may reduce increasing isolation of urban green areas and enhance connectivity. Comanagement should be considered where locally managed green space may function as buffer zones and for management of weak links that connect larger green areas; for example, there are three such areas around NUP identified. Preliminary results indicate that areas of informal management represent centers on which to base adaptive comanagement, with the potential to strengthen biodiversity management and resilience in the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Elmqvist
- Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, SE- 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
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