Biodiversity includes species richness, the genetic variability of an individual species, and the ecosystem diversity (variety of interactions between biotic and abiotic factors within an ecosystem). Urban biodiversity includes biodiversity that borders human settlements, encompassing urban and suburban areas up to the rural periphery. Cities such as Curitiba, Brazil and Vancouver, Canada have kept much of the natural landscape protected even using design techniques to resemble the surrounding natural environment. We often think of human settlements as constantly posing a threat to nature. There is much reason to think this way given that human activities produce pollution, exploit resources and abuse arable land. As I see it, we use less land when we moderately increase density and fewer resources when we improve efficiency in municipal and residential buildings, industry, and transportation. This leads to an overall reduction of our impact on the environment, in addition to human health and wellbeing. Nevertheless, the global phenomenon of urbanization threatens to pull humans away from nature as more people move into crowded cities. One way to tackle this problem is through tactical urbanism including not only preserving whatever landscapes and preserves we can, but also by allowing nature to reclaim unused land. This is perhaps one of the best ways we can help solve the critical problems of biodiversity loss, improve stability of our urban ecosystems, and restore the appreciation humans originally had for nature before they moved into cities. Some ways we can promote biodiversity protection in cities include:
- Using ecosystem goods and services with care and sustainability in mind
- Conserving biodiversity in urban areas and allowing for maximum biodiversity support in current and future sustainable design projects
- Engaging the public through awareness and demonstrating the values cities have in preventing global biodiversity loss
