Exploring urban novel ecosystems

Understandings, insights and recommendations for future research and practice

Bibliographic Data

ID9844908
AuthorsMelissa Pineda-Pinto (0000-0001-9644-0569, The University of Melbourne), Marcus Collier (0000-0002-6853-9980, Trinity College Dublin, corresponding author), Clair Cooper (0000-0002-6565-2582, Trinity College Dublin), Mairéad O’Donnell (0000-0001-9308-110X, Trinity College Dublin), Fiona Nulty (Trinity College Dublin), Natalia Rodriguez Castañeda (Trinity College Dublin)
Year2024
Volume164
Pages103487
Publication date2024-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFutures (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0016-3287 • E-ISSN: 1873-6378
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.futures.2024.103487
OpenAlexW4403910653
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited65

Novel ecosystems are those that have been altered by human activities and have afterwards experienced abandonment or human disuse, allowing for a new assemblage of species to establish. In urban areas, these ecosystems, are commonly found in post-industrial sites, vacant lots, and other unmanaged spaces. The informality of these ecosystems, assumptions of their low ecological value, and associations with negative attributes continue to prevent recognition of their social-ecological value. Although research in the last decade has started to show the potential of novel ecosystems to address several challenges such as biodiversity loss, there remains a need to understand what areas of research are needed to progress our understanding of these ecosystems in urban areas. This paper uses a modified Delphi methodology, in which a panel of knowledge-holders provided their understandings and insights of urban novel ecosystems. Through this process, we distilled key questions for future research and practice that should drive the investigation of these wild ecosystems for improved decision-making. This study sets out recommendations on how to progress the research questions as part of urban transformative agendas in which urban novel ecosystems offer new possibilities for climate experimentation, social-ecological stewardship and biodiversity conservation. • Urban novel ecosystems – diverse and highly modified ecosystems – are largely under-researched for various reasons. • To identify potential research priorities for urban novel ecosystems a modified Delphi approach was used. • Research priorities include: biodiversity and ecosystem services; landscape perceptions; and decision-making and planning. • An agenda that addresses knowledge gaps around novel ecosystems can contribute to achieving biodiversity-rich futures

Biology · Ecosystem · Engineering ethics · Environmental ethics · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Sociology · Ecology · Engineering · Environmental Science · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Transport and Accessibility