The Various Challenges in Urban Ecosystem Research

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The Various Challenges in Urban Ecosystem
Research

• Heikki Setälä
• University of Helsinki
• Department of Ecological and Environmental
  Sciences

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Hot future topic
Climate change
Other negative consequences ...
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CITIES and global change
Climate change - precipitation - temperature
Land use change - urbanisationn - agriculture etc.
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1) Ecologistss perspective ? Problems with
hydrological cycles
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2) Ecologists perspective ? Problems with Urban
land use
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Why to worry about impermeable, covered soils
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ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
- food

• Water purification
• Nutrient cycling
• Detoxification
• etc.

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Outcomes of urban land use
Down-town Lahti gt million m3 stormwaters to lake
Vesijärvi
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Outcomes of urban land use
Reduced and fragmented urban green space
Biodiversity aspects? Esthetical aspects? ELSE?
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HOLISTIC view of urban systems
Urban ecosystem service network
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Decisions/advice for City officials?
More appreciation towards urban green areas
ESPECIALLY
To consider urban systems as ECOSYSTEMS with
essential life-supprting services
Sustainable future for cities and their
inhabitants