Urban Ecology is a rapidly growing field of academic and practical
significance. Urban ecologists have published several conference
proceedings and regularly contribute to the ecological, architectural,
planning, and geography literature. However, important papers in the
field that set the foundation for the discipline and illustrate modern
approaches from a variety of perspectives and regions of the world have
not been collected in a single, accessible book. Foundations of Urban
Ecology does this by reprinting important European and American
publications, filling gaps in the published literature with a few,
targeted original works, and translating key works originally published
in German. This edited volume will provide students and professionals
with a rich background in all facets of urban ecology.
The editors emphasize the drivers, patterns, processes and effects of
human settlement. The papers they synthesize provide readers with a
broad understanding of the local and global aspects of settlement
through traditional natural and social science lenses. This
interdisciplinary vision gives the reader a comprehensive view of the
urban ecosystem by introducing drivers, patterns, processes and effects
of human settlements and the relationships between humans and other
animals, plants, ecosystem processes, and abiotic conditions. The reader
learns how human institutions, health, and preferences influence, and
are influenced by, the others members of their shared urban ecosystem.
