Habitat structure: A fundamental concept and framework for urban soil ecology

Abstract

Habitat structure is defined as the composition and arrangement of physical matter at a location. Although habitat structure is the physical template underlying ecological patterns and processes, the concept is relatively unappreciated and underdeveloped in ecology. However, it provides a fundamental concept for urban ecology because human activities in urban ecosystems are often targeted toward management of habitat structure. In addition, the concept emphasizes the fine-scale, on-the-ground perspective needed in the study of urban soil ecology. To illustrate this, urban soil ecology research is summarized from the perspective of habitat structure effects. Among the key conclusions emerging from the literature review are: (1) habitat structure provides a unifying theme for multivariate research about urban soil ecology; (2) heterogeneous urban habitat structures influence soil ecological variables in different ways; (3) more research is needed to understand relationships among sociological variables, habitat structure patterns and urban soil ecology. To stimulate urban soil ecology research, a conceptual framework is presented to show the direct and indirect relationships among habitat structure and ecological variables. Because habitat structure serves as a physical link between sociocultural and ecological systems, it can be used as a focus for interdisciplinary and applied research (e.g., pest management) about the multiple, interactive effects of urbanization on the ecology of soils.

Vegetation Type and Age Drive Changes in Soil Properties, Nitrogen, and Carbon Sequestration in Urban Parks under Cold Climate

“…Urban sprawl and densification are increasing urban land use rapidly, drastically affecting soils and their function (Pickett et al, 2001;Byrne, 2007;Pavao-Zuckerman, 2008;Pouyat et al, 2010). As urban land use can be equated to soil use (Pouyat et al, 2007a;Setälä et al, 2014), urbanization not only modifies soil structure but also reduces the soil area/volume.…”

As formigas poneromorfas do Brasil

“…De forma geral, a formação e expansão das cidades estão entre as principais causas de perda da biodiversidade nativa (MCKINNEY, 2002;MCKIN-NEY, 2006;FAETH et al, 2011) em escalas regionais e globais (GRIMM et al, 2008). Essa perda se dá devido as cidades criarem e/ou alterarem habitats, forçando adaptações morfológicas ou comportamentais em animais, nas dinâmicas populacionais, nas estruturas das comunidades de organismos (SHOCHAT et al, 2006;BYRNE, 2007), além de benefi ciarem poucas espécies melhor adaptadas à antropização do ambiente, promovendo a homogeneização biótica em diversas escalas espaciais (MCKINNEY, 2006).…”

Implications of urbanization related land use change on the Carbon and Nitrogen cycle from subtropical soils

“…For example, CO 2 concentrations around cities can exceed 500 ppm (Pataki et al 2007), where the global average is currently 400 ppm (NOAA 2016). Byrne (2007) summarized key conclusions from research associated with urbanization. These conclusions are; (1) habitat structure provides a unifying theme for multivariate research about urban soil ecology; (2) heterogeneous urban habitat structures influence soil ecological variables in different ways; (3) more research is needed to understand relationships among sociological variables, habitat structure patterns and urban soil ecology.…”

“…This framework highlights how local, regional and global environmental changes are interlinked and together affect global climate change. However, we are currently only beginning to understand how the process of urbanization influences both ecosystem dynamics in their biogeochemical cycling and contributes to global climate change (Kaye et al 2004;Byrne 2007;Lorenz and Lal 2009;Durán et al 2013). …”

“…Urban soils, however, can also improve critical ecosystem services by providing stormwater treatment, acting as a sink for atmospheric nitrogen (N), and sequestering carbon (C) (Raciti et al 2011a;Golubiewski 2006). How these processes of urbanization influence ecosystem dynamics in biogeochemical cycling and contribute to climate change is only beginning to be understood (Kaye et al 2004;Byrne 2007;Lorenz and Lal 2009). …”