Adding ecological value to the urban lawnscape. Insect abundance and diversity in grass-free lawns

Smith, Lionel S.; Broyles, Moth; Larzleer, Helen K.; Fellowes, Mark D. E.

doi:10.1007/s10531-014-0788-1

Cited by 60 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Given the reduction in native plant diversity and abundance in urbanized areas (Dreistadt et al 1990;Burton et al 2005;Williams et al 2005;Williams et al 2008;Isaacs et al 2009;Walker et al 2009), it would be surprising if predators were not sensitive to urbanization (McKinney 2006;Jones and Leather 2012;Otoshi et al 2015). Urban management techniques such as treading, bird feeding, mowing and pesticide application negatively impact predacious beetles and hemipterans (Morris and Rispin 1987;Helden and Leather 2004;Orros and Fellowes 2012;Jones and Leather 2012;Orros et al 2015;Bennett and Lovell 2014;Smith et al 2015). Human-induced extinctions and local extirpations are often biased towards higher trophic levels (Pauly et al 1998;Jackson et al 2001;Duffy 2002;Byrnes et al 2005), and that losses of even one or two species that belong to higher trophic levels can cause cascading effects on species present on basal trophic levels (Paine 2002;Schmitz 2003) and critically affect ecosystem processes (Tilman et al 1997;Byrnes et al 2005;Hooper et al 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does urbanization explain differences in interactions between an insect herbivore and its natural enemies and mutualists?

Rocha

Fellowes

2018

Urban Ecosyst

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Urbanization can alter the composition of arthropod communities. However, little is known about how urbanization affects ecological interactions. Using experimental colonies of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli reared on Vicia faba L, we asked if patterns of predator-prey, host-parasitoid and ant-aphid mutualisms varied along an urbanization gradient across a large town in southern England. We recorded the presence of naturally occurring predators, parasitoid wasps and mutualistic ants together with aphid abundance. We examined how biotic (green areas and plant richness) and abiotic features (impervious surfaces and distance to town center) affected (1) aphid colony size, (2) the likelihood of finding predators, mutualistic ants and aphid mummies (indicating the presence of parasitoids), and (3) how the interplay among these factors affected patterns of parasitoid attack, predator abundance, mutualistic interactions and aphid abundance. Aphid abundance was best explained by the number of mutualistic ants attending the colonies. Aphid predators responded negatively to both the proportion of impervious surfaces and to the number of mutualistic ants farming the colonies, and positively to aphid population size, whereas parasitized aphids were found in colonies with higher numbers of aphids and ants. The number of mutualistic ants attending was positively associated with aphid colony size and negatively with the number of aphid predators. Our findings suggest that for insect-natural enemy interactions, urbanization may affect some groups, while not influencing others, and that local effects (mutualists, host plant presence) will also be key determinants of how urban ecological communities are formed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does urbanization explain differences in interactions between an insect herbivore and its natural enemies and mutualists?

Rocha

Fellowes

2018

Urban Ecosyst

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“…Therefore, the vegetation is composed of species that prefer wet, shaded, and fresh habitats. A well-developed shrub understory, a higher diversity of native plants (including trees), and ecological management positively impact the presence of native invertebrate and vertebrate species, notably small woodland species [95][96][97]. In contrast, green roofs have been recorded as being nesting sites for ground-nesting species, such as Alauda arvensis and some others [48].…”

Section: How Redundant Are Green Roofs and Green Walls In Cities?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Roofs and Green Walls for Biodiversity Conservation: A Contribution to Urban Connectivity?

2018

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Green roofs and walls have recently emerged as conservation tools, and they offer promising additional opportunities to enhance biodiversity in cities. However, their ecological conditions remain poorly considered when planning wildlife corridors. To discuss the role of vegetated buildings in landscape connectivity, we reviewed the ecological and technical specificities of green walls and green roofs in light of the key factors concerning urban wildlife (patch size, quality, abundance, and isolation). Green roofs and walls show limited patch sizes, distinct habitat quality at the building scale, and limited redundancy of patch quality within the landscape. We also highlight that the abundance of roof and wall patches is often low. Future research is needed to establish if walls can be vertical corridors for wildlife, thereby reducing the isolation of green roofs. We argue that creating 3D ecological connectivity within the city requires substantial modifications of the design and maintenance of existing green building systems. We suggest that research is needed to integrate the biotic and abiotic characteristics of green buildings to make them more closely resemble those of open green spaces.

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“…Fragmentation and destruction of natural areas occurs as a result of these developments [4]. The biodiversity of urban areas has long been neglected [5], although cities possess many open spaces and public grassland (usually cultivated in the form of lawns) that could help to enhance biodiversity [6][7][8]. The protection of biodiversity in urban areas might thus contribute to the fulfilment of ecosystem functions such as pollination, oxygen production, human well-being and pest regulation [9].…”

Section: The Biodiversity Crisis and The Role Of Urban Areas To Lessementioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Nature: Perception and Acceptance of Alternative Green Space Management and the Change of Awareness after Provision of Environmental Information. A Chance for Biodiversity Protection

2017

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Measurable ecological data, e.g., species diversity, provide inadequate information for achieving the comprehensive protection of biodiversity, because human acceptance attitudes can be important factors in undermining nature protection schemes. We have analysed an ecologically driven urban management system presented to urban habitants. A photograph-based survey answered by 424 participants was used to evaluate their impressions of natural meadows. The positive effect of provided information tables was demonstrated by pre-and post-test designs. Attitudes towards urban nature protection showed a statistical preference for green-area management systems optimising insect protection compared with more regularly mowed meadows and lawns. Thus, the perceptions of people should be considered in processes of biodiversity protection. Our results correlate with personal attitude and education, support the aims of extensive green-space management and should encourage urban planners to integrate biodiversity protection zones into urban planning.

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Adding ecological value to the urban lawnscape. Insect abundance and diversity in grass-free lawns

Cited by 60 publications

References 55 publications

Does urbanization explain differences in interactions between an insect herbivore and its natural enemies and mutualists?

Does urbanization explain differences in interactions between an insect herbivore and its natural enemies and mutualists?

Green Roofs and Green Walls for Biodiversity Conservation: A Contribution to Urban Connectivity?

Urban Nature: Perception and Acceptance of Alternative Green Space Management and the Change of Awareness after Provision of Environmental Information. A Chance for Biodiversity Protection

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