Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China and Europe: A Comparison

Transcription

1 8 th IALE, Beijing, August, 2011 Landscape Ecology for Sustainable Environment and Culture Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China and Europe: A Comparison Zheng-hong Kong 上海全丰投资有限公司 SHANGHAI QUANFENG INVESTMENT CO., LTD.

2 Content 1.Introduction 1.1 Concepts of Urban Biodiversity 1.2 Urbanization and Biodiversity 1.3 Biodiversity in Cities 2.Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China and Europe 2.1 Characteristics of Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China 2.2 Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in Europe 2.3 Comparison: Differences under Common Goals 3. Trends, Chances and Challenges 3.1 Trends 3.2 Chances 3.3 Challenges

3 1.Introduction 1.1 Concepts of Urban Biodiversity Müller (2010): Urban biodiversity is the variety and richness of living organisms, including genetic, species and habitat diversity found in and on the edge of cities. Old brownfield, Schöneberber Südgelände / Berlin (from: N.Mueller) Small squirrel around Bratislava REC Slovakia

4 1.2 Urbanization and Biodiversity Urbanization in China and Europe Top 10 Largest Urban Agglomerations in 1975, 2000, and 2025 Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects, The 2007 Revision

5 1.2.1 Urbanization in China and Europe Percentage Urban ( ) Area/Pop Density: km2/ /km2 Germany: 357,021 ; 229 ; Europe(50): 10,180,000; 70; China: 9,640,821; Percentage China Europe Germany Urban Annual Growth Rate( ) Year China Europe 2 Germany Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects, The 2007 Revision

6 1.2 Urbanization and Biodiversity Impacts of Urbanization on Biodiversity Biodiversity Loss Biological Homogenization If we do not learn to build, expand and design our cities with a respect for nature, we will have no nature left anywhere. --Peter Kareivab Beijing, Source: Vancouver (Credit: istockphoto/dan Barnes)

7 1.2.2 Impacts of Urbanization on Biodiversity Global Biodiversity Hotspots

8 1.2.2 Impacts of Urbanization on Biodiversity Vascular Plant Hotspots & Megacities Source: altered Kümmerling 2011

9 1.2.3 Biodiversity Characteristics in China and Europe Biodiversity in China Biodiversity in Europe 600 ecosystem types more than 1/10 of the total number of species in the world 10 thousands species of vascular plants many ecosystem types in Subtropics and Qinghai-Xizang Plateau are the unique one of its kind in the world.. Europe is a continent of breathtaking natural beauty and dramatic contrasts. Its natural heritage includes several thousand types of habitat, 520 species of bird, plant species and at least species of invertebrate. Temperate forest Wang Xiaodong Ass in Qinghai-Xizhang Plateau Wang Xiaodong Mountains in Europe (Kong 2010)

10 1.3 Biodiversity in Cities Native species Declining Apophyte In Berlin Calamagrostis epigejos, Poa palustris and Hypericum perforatum are not only frequent on their original habitats but invade strongly changed sites. Calamagrostis epigejos, from Wikipedia Poa palustris, from Wikipedia Hypericum perforatum, from Wikipedia

11 1.3 Biodiversity in Cities Non-native species have a high proportion in cities due to introduction, immigration and naturalization. neophytes & anecophytes Robinia pseudoacacia, once planted as an ornamental, now common in wasteland Ailanthus altissima now invasive species in the Northern Hemisphere Robinia pseudoacacia, from Wikipedia Ailanthus altissima, from Wikipedia

12 1.3 Biodiversity in Cities non-native species Eichhirnia crasslpes were introduced to China to help purify water body in cities in 1950s. It soon became invasive and difficult to get rid of. Human population growth and naturalized plants in Berlin (Sukopp & Wurzel 2003) Ref.: e. g. Fine & Christoforides 1991, Kowarik 2003, Sukopp&Wurzel 2003

13 1.3 Biodiversity in Cities non-native species The pigeon (Columba livea), a typical bird of rocks and cliffs, meanwhile the most common bird in cities. (Fig. from Ref.: e. g. Kowarik & Starfinger 2002, McKinney 2002

14 1.3 Biodiversity in Cities New taxa are appearing in urban areas adapted to the special ecological conditions in urban habitats New interactions (biocenoses) develop between animals and plants House sparrow Oenothera ssp. Aster ssp. Ref.: e. g. Mueller 2010, Johnston & Selander 1964, Wittig 2004, Keil & Loos 2005

15 1.3 Biodiversity in Cities Urbanization creates new habitats e.g. residential areas and gardens, parks, railway areas, brown fields.. Residential area in Rotternburg Old brownfield, Schöneberger Südgelände / Berlin

16 2.Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China and Europe 2.1 Characteristics of Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China Introducing nature into cities has been traditional culture in urban design and development. Classical Chinese Gardening (CCG), also known as Landscape and Gardening has developed from and with evolution of Chinese cities. One of its core principles is to resemble natural landscapes in cities. Yi-He-Yuan in Beijing, once the former emperors garden, first built in Qiu-Xia-Pu in Shanghai, once a private garden, first built in 1506.

17 2.1.1 Introducing nature into cities has been traditional culture in urban design and development. Traditionally, some people also planted trees or a stand around their houses to create or keep a good Feng-Shui for the houses. Traditional residence in Beijing (up: inside bottom: overview) Source:

18 2.1.1 Introducing nature into cities has been traditional culture in urban design and development. Old Parks vs. New Parks Changfeng Park, Shanghai (Kong, 2006) Century Park, Shanghai (up :down) (Kong, 2007)

19 2.1.2 Urban biodiversity has been generally integrated in regional investigations. Cultivated plants in cities have been better documented. National and International Conferences on Horticultural Plants in Cities Publications about Horticultural plants in Cities

20 2.1.3 Trees and urban forests have been frequently studied. Urban forest in Shanghai Journal of Chinese Urban Forestry

21 2.1.4 Urban green space at the city level has been main object of assessment and design. Spatial pattern, such as patch number, patch size, connectivity are important indicators of successful design. City Green Space Planning and Design of Xiang-jiang city, Jiang-su Province, China www. Jiangsu.gov.cn

22 2.1.5 In China, city as a subject for ecological research initiated in 1970s, established in 1980s and influenced by thoughts from Anglo-American regions and European areas. In the summer of 1988, a group of ecologists from the Federal Republic Germany, Led by Professor H.Sokupp, came to China. Professor H.Sukopp, the father of Urban Ecology Ref. Chen Chang-du Song Yong-chang etc

23 2.2 Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in Europe A long tradition of flora and fauna investigation in urban areas. Particular biotopes, such as ruins and walls or gardens and parks has been studied for centuries. Runneburg, Erfurt (Kong 2011) Park on der Ilm, Weimar (Schulze 2008) Ref. H.Sukopp.2002.

24 2.2.2 Methods and Concepts A common way to study specific urban biota and their habitats is the investigation of their history and the comparison along rural-urban gradients. A concerted approach for urban biodiversity studies have been reached. Erfurt, Germany (Kong, 2010) Ref. H.Sukopp.2004.

25 2.2.2 Methods and Concepts Species level: Data on species origin and time of immigration are frequently used to analyze species list. Comparison among cities has been conducted to analyze the impact of urbanization. Hemeroby concept is used to measure a species response to complex human influence.. Ref. Müller. 1990; Petr Pysek ; H.Sukopp

26 2.2.2 Methods and Concepts Vegetation level: Description of vegetation is almost exclusively with the phytosociological approach. Distribution of communities with respect to habitat type has been widely studied. A green city center-biotope Area Factor- BAF ruen/index_en.shtml Ref. Müller. 1990; Petr Pysek ; H.Sukopp

27 2.2.3.Basic Results and Conclusions Even man-made sites have characteristic combinations of organisms. The similarity between former and present habitat conditions decreases with time and along a gradient from the periphery to the centre. Parts of cities of different ages have different plant species and communities. Changes in urban flora and vegetation include the decline of native species and the introduction and naturalization of non-native plants. Both tendencies have been accelerated since the middle of 19 th century. The majority of alien species that establish in cities have a southern origin. Ref. Müller. 1990; Petr Pysek ; H.Sukopp

28 2.3 Comparison and Analysis: Differences under Common Goals Common goals Conserve and experience nature in cities. Better research, Better design The Yanzhong Green-space,the largest public green-space in Shanghai Facades covered with greenery as an ecosystem and species preservation measure natur_gruen/index_en.shtml

29 Different cognitive perspective concerning urban biodiversity Europe: nature of the city China: nature in the city Course on plants in urban areas in Erfurt, Germany(Kong 2011) Course on plants in urban area, Shanghai, China (Kong, 2005)

30 2.3.3 Different urbanization levels determine design emphasis. Europe: How to conserve current habitats in cities, e.g. biotope mapping China: How to have more green spaces in cities, e.g. green space design

31 2.3.4 Urban biodiversity researches in Europe has taken spontaneous species as main objects. Chinese researchers focus more on cultivated species since we have a tradition to utilize plants. Alexander von Humboldt ( ), Kosmos (1845) Li Shi-Zhen ( ), Compendium of Materia Medica also known as Flora sinensis (1593) Charles Darwin ( ), On the origin of Species(1859)

32 2.3.5 Different study stages determine research emphasis. Europe: Where are they from? How do they evolve? China: Which kind we need? How can they function better? Prof.Sukopp in Schöneberger Südgelände, Berlin (Kong 2010) Field investigations for Flora of China a.org

33 2.3.6 Different concerns about biodiversity in cities. Europe: nature conservation, amenity and recreation China: Amelioration of urban microclimate and environmental quality, air pollution, noise. etc. Citizens do morning exercise in the park in Beijing. Source: Tree shades are popular in summer days in cities. Source: www. Touristjs.com.cn Ref. Jim and Chen EEA

34 2.3.7 Urban biodiversity researches have far more impacts on designs in Europe than in China. Europe: urban researchers have a strong influence on designers as well as policy makers. China: Designers run after urbanization and then followed by researchers.

35 3. Trends, Chances and Chanllenges 3.1 Trends: Bridging science with policy through projects and programmes Hamburg, Green Capital of Europe of 2010 Shenzhen, International Garden City of 2000

36 3.2 Chances Sino-German Workshop on Ecocities and Ecoprovinces: Full group photo (photo: Susanne Lehmann, 2010 in Shenzhen, China) Excursion guide Röös explains the forestry office s strategy for the Eifel National Park (photo: Susanne Lehmann, 2009 in Bonn, Germany)

37 3.2 Chances Germany adopted its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan on 7 November,2007. China adopted its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in In 2010, China adopted an updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for

38 3.2 Chances Urban ecology course has been opened to undergraduates in life sciences or geographical departments in many universities in China. Urban planning and design course is generally opened in Architecture or Art departments. Beijing University, Urban Ecology course was first opened in China. Buildings of 1950s of Tongji University who enjoy a high reputation in urban planning and design.

39 3.3 Challenges Linking urban ecology with urban design Integration of biodiversity in urban development Closer integration of Urban biodiversity research and design Raising greater public awareness of urban biodiversity

40 Acknowledgement

41 Thanks for your attention!