Table of Contents

Maria Ignatieva

About the Author

Charles H. Nilon is a professor in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. His research and teaching focus on urban wildlife conservation, urban ecology, and the human dimensions of wildlife conservation. Dr. Nilon is a co-director of three urban biodiversity synthesis projects, including the "Urban Biodiversity Research Coordination Network" (UrBioNet), and is co-president of the International Urban Biodiversity and Design Network (URBIO).

Myla F.J. Aronson is an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Her research and teaching focuses on the patterns, drivers, and management of biodiversity in human dominated landscapes, particularly plant population and community dynamics in urban areas. Dr. Aronson is co-director of three urban biodiversity synthesis projects, including the "Urban Biodiversity Research Coordination Network" (UrBioNet), and serves on the Advisory Board for the International Urban Biodiversity and Design Network (URBIO).

Reviews

“The earliest roots of urban ecology lie in the study of wild and domestic organisms in cities. Nilonand Aronson show the depth and rigor of this research tradition, illustrate its crucial applicationto conservation of global biodiversity, and point to the continued need and creative future for urbanbiodiversity studies.”Steward T.A. Pickett, Distinguished Senior Scientist, Cary Institute ofEcosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York , USA“This is a blockbuster book for the urban century. From the fundamentals, science and theory ofurban biodiversity to practical management issues, Nilon and Aronson have produced a must-havethat should be on the bookshelf of every urban professional.”Karen C. Seto , Frederick C. Hixon Professor of Geography &Urbanization Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA“Rapid urbanization at global scale exerts serious threats to urban biodiversity which is of greatimportance for conservation in terms of implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global BiodiversityFramework; Urban development can not be successful unless its biodiversity is sustainablyutilized. The book offers readers opportunities to understand concepts and theory for urban biodiversityand learn best practices in using and conserving it.”Keping Ma , Vice Chair and Secretary General, Biodiversity Committee,Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China“Old concepts of cities and nature being two separate worlds have been overturned. Studies of theclose interplay of urban conditions and high biodiversity are yielding a new understanding of thestructure of urban nature and its importance to the human experience. This book sets a new standardfor explaining the ecological foundations of urban nature, the current state of knowledge, therole of human actions and management on city species, and a path forward for new research andnew collaborations. Cities are expanding rapidly across the globe; this Handbook will be a guideto incorporating modern ecological perspectives to the design of healthier, more resilient urbanlandscapes and improving conservation of the rich urban biodiversity.”Steven N. Handel , Distinguished Professor of Ecology, Rutgers,The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey , USA