Supporting urban ecosystem services across terrestrial, marine and freshwater realms

Elizabeth C Lowe; Rochelle Steven; Rebecca L Morris; Kirsten M Parris; Axton C Aguiar; Cameron E Webb; Ana B Bugnot; Katherine A Dafforn; Rod M Connolly; Mariana Mayer Pinto

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152689

Supporting urban ecosystem services across terrestrial, marine and freshwater realms

Sci Total Environ. 2022 Apr 15:817:152689. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152689. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: lizzy.lowe@mq.edu.au.
² School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
³ National Centre for Coasts and Climate, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
⁴ School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
⁵ School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, NSW 2145, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
⁷ School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
⁸ Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.
⁹ Australian Rivers Institute - Estuaries and Coasts, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
¹⁰ Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia; Centre of Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 34974015
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152689

Abstract

The terrestrial, freshwater and marine realms all provide essential ecosystem services in urban environments. However, the services provided by each realm are often considered independently, which ignores the synergies between them and risks underestimating the benefits derived collectively. Greater research collaboration across these realms, and an integrated approach to management decisions can help to support urban developments and restoration projects in maintaining or enhancing ecosystem services. The aim of this paper is to highlight the synergies and trade-offs among ecosystem services provided by each realm and to offer suggestions on how to improve current practice. We use case studies to illustrate the flow of services across realms. In our call to better integrate research and management across realms, we present a framework that provides a 6-step process for conducting collaborative research and management with an Australian perspective. Our framework considers unifying language, sharing, and understanding of desired outcomes, conducting cost-benefit analyses to minimise trade-offs, using multiple modes of communication for stakeholders, and applying research outcomes to inform regulation. It can be applied to improve collaboration among researchers, managers and planners from all realms, leading to strategic allocation of resources, increased protection of urban natural resources and improved environmental regulation with broad public support.

Keywords: Aquatic ecology; Ecosystem function; Ecosystem processes; Terrestrial ecology; Urbanization.

MeSH terms

Australia
Conservation of Natural Resources*
Ecosystem*
Fresh Water