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Diversity
Special Issues
Biodiversity Conservation in Urbanized Ecosystems
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Biodiversity Conservation in Urbanized Ecosystems

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 4052

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gad Perry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Natural Resource Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Interests: biodiversity; conservation; invasive species; behavioral ecology; conservation biology; zoology; ecology and evolution; ecology; evolutionary biology; stable isotope analysis
Dr. Robert Cox

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
Interests: restoration ecology; plant ecology; ecological restoration; community ecology; invasive species; vegetation ecology; natural resource management; grassland ecology; applied ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue of Diversity focused on the conservation of biodiversity in urbanized and exurban ecosystems.

Despite heroic efforts over the past half a century, global biodiversity continues to decrease, a process related to growth in the human population, economic activity, land conversion, and related phenomena. The growing impacts of global climate change threaten to further accelerate these declines. At the same time, more and more people live in or near urban areas, leading to changes in both regional biotas and the human dimensions of conservation. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to urbanization in the context of human quality of life, especially where global climate change is concerned. Attention to the non-human biological and conservation realities of city life has lagged, however, and much of the published research has focused on the well-documented negative impacts, such as homogenization of faunas, increasing presence of non-native taxa, and human–wildlife conflicts. Yet cities and their outlying areas can also offer opportunities for successful conservation action. This Special Issue aims to present studies documenting the challenges, but especially the opportunities, that urban areas and coupled outlying regions offer for biodiversity conservation. We especially welcome studies that focus on poorly documented aspects, whether they be the linkages between cities and their outlying areas, secondary cities, or human dimensions, particularly if they offer examples of the value or potential value of conurbations for long-term conservation of biodiversity whether through urban ecosystem regeneration or other means. If you are interested in contributing to this Special Issue and have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Prof. Dr. Gad Perry
Dr. Robert Cox
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • urban ecosystem regeneration
  • biodiversity conservation
  • urban green spaces
  • urbanization
  • climate change

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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29 pages, 4657 KiB  
Article
Bird Utilisation of Vertical Space in Urban Environments
by Annalise J. Re, Andrew M. Rogers, Hugh P. Possingham and Salit Kark
Diversity 2025, 17(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17010016 - 27 Dec 2024
Viewed by 966
Abstract
In an increasingly urbanised world, it is important to understand how species interact with human-modified landscapes across all spatial dimensions. Urban areas, modified for higher density living, are characterised by buildings, airborne vehicles, and other uses of the airspace. These obstructions can alter [...] Read more.
In an increasingly urbanised world, it is important to understand how species interact with human-modified landscapes across all spatial dimensions. Urban areas, modified for higher density living, are characterised by buildings, airborne vehicles, and other uses of the airspace. These obstructions can alter the available vertical habitat space and hence impact species that rely on the vertical partitioning of resources. Nonetheless, studies in urban areas typically use 2D variables, which are unsuitable as proxies for 3D processes. To address this gap, bird surveys were conducted across three different types of urban environments that reflect a gradient of extensive to intensive within Brisbane, Australia. Bird activity was recorded across a range of heights. While exceptions occurred, we found that urban birds generally interacted with their environment at heights that reflected the taller structures along the urban gradient. Grouping species by urban tolerance (i.e., whether an urban avoider, adapter, or exploiter) and foraging level helped explain why some species could utilise certain height profiles across the urban structural gradient where others could not. A better understanding of how birds use urban vertical spaces can help identify habitat features that facilitate urban biodiversity and support conservation management in urban environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Conservation in Urbanized Ecosystems)
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Review

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10 pages, 238 KiB  
Review
A Review on Eurasian Otters in Urban Areas: Principles for the Enhancement of Biodiversity
by Connor Lee and Xiaofeng Luan
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050356 - 17 May 2025
Viewed by 239
Abstract
Eurasian otters, as apex predators in freshwater ecosystems, are crucial to maintaining nutrient cycling and habitat stability. Although Eurasian otters prefer unaltered natural habitats, their adaptive and opportunistic behavior allows them to occupy suboptimal environments, including urbanized areas. As urbanization increases, the pressure [...] Read more.
Eurasian otters, as apex predators in freshwater ecosystems, are crucial to maintaining nutrient cycling and habitat stability. Although Eurasian otters prefer unaltered natural habitats, their adaptive and opportunistic behavior allows them to occupy suboptimal environments, including urbanized areas. As urbanization increases, the pressure on apex carnivores like the Eurasian otter will continue to grow. To date, urban stream restoration plans have not used the Eurasian otter as a keystone species, but given their influence across the trophic levels, Eurasian otter-focused restoration plans could enhance otter populations and overall biodiversity in urban areas. Here, we lay out six principles designed as a template for enhancing urban habitats for Eurasian otters as well as biodiversity. The principles (enhancing habitat structure complexity, restoring natural riparian vegetation and habitats, safeguarding water quality, providing native prey species, reducing otter mortality, and promoting positive public perception) are essential for urban ecosystem regeneration focused on Eurasian otters. Although there have been no urban restoration projects specifically tailored toward Eurasian otters, initiatives based on similar principles have been effective in promoting biodiversity and otter presence. Overall, an urban habitat restoration plan focused on Eurasian otters will not just increase otter presence but biodiversity across all trophic levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Conservation in Urbanized Ecosystems)
19 pages, 904 KiB  
Review
A Review on Landscape Factors for Biodiversity Performance Enhancement in Urban Parks
by Qiting Ye, Xiuzhi Wang, Lingzi Liang, Jian-Wen Qiu and Siu-Tai Tsim
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040262 - 7 Apr 2025
Viewed by 795
Abstract
Urbanization significantly reduced natural habitats and biodiversity, creating challenges for sustainable urban development. Urban parks, as essential green spaces, help mitigate these impacts by promoting biodiversity and enhancing urban resilience. This review synthesizes current knowledge on landscape factors that influence biodiversity in urban [...] Read more.
Urbanization significantly reduced natural habitats and biodiversity, creating challenges for sustainable urban development. Urban parks, as essential green spaces, help mitigate these impacts by promoting biodiversity and enhancing urban resilience. This review synthesizes current knowledge on landscape factors that influence biodiversity in urban parks, emphasizing how these parks contribute to biodiversity conservation and urban sustainable development. A comprehensive literature search identified key landscape factors that affect biodiversity, categorized into five groups: park size and shape, vegetation composition, artificial components, landscape patterns, and surrounding land use. The findings reveal that larger park areas, simplified boundaries, diverse vegetation structures, reduced human interference, and improved habitat connectivity are crucial for boosting biodiversity. The review also suggests practical design strategies, such as enhancing green space networks and preserving old trees, to foster biodiversity in urban parks. Overall, this review provides valuable insights for urban planners and landscape designers aiming to create resilient, biodiversity-rich urban spaces that support sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Conservation in Urbanized Ecosystems)
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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 253 KiB  
Review
Greening up the City with Native Species: Challenges and Solutions
by Amy Hardberger, Danielle Craig, Catherine Simpson, Robert D. Cox and Gad Perry
Diversity 2025, 17(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17010056 - 16 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1347
Abstract
Urban green spaces provide many benefits, including to human wellbeing, ecosystem services, and urban wildlife. Thus, there are many reasons to green up urban spaces, especially by using native species. Furthermore, urban green spaces are suited to enhancing biodiversity without negatively impacting food [...] Read more.
Urban green spaces provide many benefits, including to human wellbeing, ecosystem services, and urban wildlife. Thus, there are many reasons to green up urban spaces, especially by using native species. Furthermore, urban green spaces are suited to enhancing biodiversity without negatively impacting food or fiber production. Municipalities and private landowners invest substantially in landscaping and its maintenance. However, much of that outlay supports non-native plants that may be less adapted to local conditions such as rainfall patterns and temperature ranges, thus having greater resource requirements, as well as being less supportive of native wildlife and possessing a greater potential of becoming invasive. Here, we explore ways to increase the use of native plant species in urban settings to reduce the need for watering or chemical application, enhance the support of native species, and reduce the risk of invasion to urban and ex-urban habitats. We identify three main impediments: the perception of native species as less aesthetically pleasing, the availability of native plants in the nursery industry, and the willingness of policymakers to take supportive measures. We propose methods to address all three, providing successful examples from a number of US localities and a case study that demonstrates what drivers might exist and what actions remain to be taken. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Conservation in Urbanized Ecosystems)
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