A Novel Approach for the Assessment of Cities through Ecosystem Integrity

Ian Macgregor-Fors,Richard Lemoine-Rodríguez,Ina Falfán,Michelle García-Arroyo,Oscar H Marín-Gómez,Miguel Equihua,Octavio Pérez-Maqueo,Miguel A Gómez-Martínez

doi:10.3390/land11010003

Abstract

To tackle urban heterogeneity and complexity, several indices have been proposed, commonly aiming to provide information for decision-makers. In this study, we propose a novel and customizable procedure for quantifying urban ecosystem integrity. Based on a citywide approach, we developed an easy-to-use index that contrasts physical and biological variables of urban ecosystems with a given reference system. The Urban Ecosystem Integrity Index (UEII) is the sum of the averages from the variables that make up its intensity of urbanization and biological components. We applied the UEII in a Mexican tropical city using land surface temperature, built cover, and the richness of native plants and birds. The overall ecosystem integrity of the city, having montane cloud, tropical dry, and temperate forests as reference systems, was low (−0.34 ± SD 0.32), showing that, beyond its biodiverse greenspace network, the built-up structure highly differs from the ecosystems of reference. The UEII showed to be a flexible and easy-to-calculate tool to evaluate ecosystem integrity for cities, allowing for comparisons between or among cities, as well as the sectors/regions within cities. If used properly, the index could become a useful tool for decision making and resource allocation at a city level.

Highlights

Urbanization leaves some of the most impressive imprints of the human population and activities on ecosystem structure and function [1,2]
The Urban Ecosystem tem Integrity Index (UEII) we propose here was conceived as a balance between two urIntegrity Index (UEII) we propose here was conceived as a balance between two urban ban dimensions: the physical and the biological dimensions: the physical and the biological
In the Urban Ecosystem Integrity Index (UEII), the urban intensity component subtracts from the ecosystem integrity, while the biological component adds to it (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Urbanization leaves some of the most impressive imprints of the human population and activities on ecosystem structure and function [1,2]. Its effects, assessed from an urban-metabolism abstraction, extend far beyond city limits, posing pressing social, environmental, and ecological challenges [1,3]. Cities have been proven to provide an important set of advantages in terms of economy, governance, and access to services (e.g., electricity, drinking water, health care, education [4]). Urban lifestyle has a profound impact on ecosystems [5,6,7], but it extensively affects human health [8]. All the above makes it imperative to revisit the way in which we urbanize landscapes and manage our cities to

Methods

Results

Conclusion