Author: Chloe Jones
Contact: chljones@pdx.edu
A recent study from North
Carolina State University found that there are higher biodiversity levels in
urban areas that one might expect. The study specifically focused on ant
species biodiversity in New York City. It found that across the city, there are
over 40 species of ants thriving, despite urban development.
However, a different
University of Iowa study suggests that planting trees and creating green space
in cities is great for attracting species, but maybe not so great for ensuring
the sustainability of biodiversity across urban environments. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141031121246.htm)
One researcher said “In cities, you might have more trees, but you don't
necessarily have more insects associated with them,"
These
two articles made me wonder about Portland. What are we doing to ensure
biodiversity in the city? We are known as such a “green” city, a city with huge
forward momentum in sustainable architecture and development. Despite being
“green,” are we actually maintaining Portland biodiversity?
It didn’t take much research before I came
across The Intertwine Alliance. This is a group focuses on being more aware of
PDX biodiversity and creating practices that sustain biodiversity. In the early
2000s, The Intertwine started The Biodiversity Guide for the Greater
Portland-Vancouver Region. They mapped both urban and green areas to document
the city’s biodiversity and came up with the composition and patterns of this
region’s biodiversity. From their website the guide “describes the status of
the region’s flora, fauna, and natural habitats; changes that have occurred in
the regional landscapes since 1850; and potential losses the region might
experience if appropriate conservation and restoration actions are not taken.”
(http://theintertwine.org/BiodiversityGuide)
Moving forward, The Intertwine can use their maps and guide to manage and
maintain biodiversity in urban areas.
This article has a really
great timeline of how Portland and Vancouver have approached biodiversity sine
early city planning, decades ago: http://www.thenatureofcities.com/2012/12/15/biodiversity-planning-finally-getting-it-right-in-the-portland-vancouver-metro-region/
Resources: links throughout the article
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