Ecology of Cities and Towns

Introduction

Comparative studies of terrestrial vertebrates are one approach that can be used by researchers to build on the extensive work done by animal ecologists and applied ecologists in cities (Luniak, 1990; VanDruff et al., 1994; Nilon and Pais, 1997). Much of this work pre-dates the renewed interest in cities by mainstream ecologists. The new emphasis on the ecology of cities provides new tools and approaches to conducting comparative studies that will be useful in answering questions about vertebrates in cities. In this chapter I will discuss why comparative studies of vertebrates are important to ecologists, managers and people who live in cities by reviewing the comparative studies that have been done on the vertebrate fauna of cities. I will describe some of the research on vertebrates that occurs within the framework of urban ecosystems research, and I will propose a comparative study that illustrates how contemporary approaches to urban ecology can be applied to a conservation issue.

Comparative studies ask and answer questions about the ecology of cities

The need for comparative studies comes from a need to answer questions about animals in cities. The questions are shaped by different groups (i.e. scientists, the public, resource managers, policy makers and conservationists) that care about animals in cities. Traditional ecologists studying cities ask questions about ecosystem structure and function.