Heterogeneity in Urban Ecosystems: Patterns and Process
January 17, 2005 - Band, Larry E.; Cadenasso, Mary; Grimmond, C. Susan; Grove, J. Morgan; Pickett, Steward T. A.
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EmailJournal or Book Title: Ecosystem Function in Heterogeneous Landscapes
Page Number(s): 257-278
Year Published: 2005
Heterogeneity in urban ecosystems derives from a combination of natural and engineered landscape features, as well as behavior of human individuals and institutions. Modern urban regions in North America and elsewhere are no longer uniformly compact and densely populated but have extended into surrounding regions and include intricate mixes of residential, commercial, and residual agricultural, forest, and other managed and unmanaged vegetated areas. Compared to less developed ecosystems, heterogeneity in water, carbon, nutrient, and energy cycling may be enhanced, specifically over the short distances associated with urban development patterns.We review conceptual approaches to characterizing and representing heterogeneity in urban ecosystems and illustrate some of the main sources of heterogeneity resulting from interactions within and between urban patch networks, with special reference to examples drawn from the Baltimore Ecosystem Study.
URL: Heterogeneity in Urban Ecosystems
DOI: 10.1007/0-387-24091-8_13
Type of Publication: Book Chapter
