Description

WHY Biodiversity in Urban Nature (BUN): Obligations to international conventions, ecosystem services close to everyday life and reconnection with nature in cities, e.g. psychosocial effects, education, etc..

WHAT is BUN: Biological diversity (biodiversity) at different levels from the genome to ecosystem level. Increasing biodiversity and supporting wildlife of all sorts in urban surroundings. We focus predominantly on the species level and broader taxonomical groups, extending to habitat-types applicable to numerous urban green space types.

HOW to increase BUN: Presentation and discussion of scientific literature and practical measures to increase biodiversity and in- and out-of-class exercises with this; for example, manipulations of urban surroundings which can increase diversity of flora and fauna in the urban environment. We focus on evidence-based solutions from the global research community, active researchers and practitioners working with urban nature in Copenhagen.



Some keywords from the course plan:

• Biodiversity in urban formal green and blue spaces, e.g. public parks, gardens, cemeteries, ponds
• Urban informal spaces, e.g. brownfields - a space for natural processes  
• Measuring urban biodiversity and relevant biotic/abiotic structures
• Living green roofs (and walls) - a reconciliation measure for biodiversity
• Potentials for urban biodiversity through climate adaptation infrastructure, e.g. SUDS
• Green “corridors” and “stepping stones” – life savers for urban organisms
• Habitat continuity: importance of urban forests, parks and cemeteries
• Diverse value of urban nature: ecological, cultural, economic, health, (re)connection with nature

• Importance of plant selection in the urban environment, e.g. native vs exotic species
• Urban soils in relation to biodiversity
• Practical methods for enhancing diversity and abundance of invertebrates, fungi, amphibians, birds and mammals
• Maintenance and management for urban biodiversity 
• Importance of education and communication in regards to increasing social acceptance of biodiversity

When the course has been completed, the participants are expected to have achieved the following:

Knowledge:

- Identification of elements and conditions that promote and increase diversity of mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and other arthropods, plants including forbs and trees, and fungi in the urban environment

- Expected consequences on diversity of practical actions taken

- Interactions between plants, herbivores and organisms on other trophic levels

- Methods for quantification of biodiversity



Skills:

- Able to suggest which actions that in a given situation will result in increased or reduced development in the biodiversity

- Able to explain relationships and interactions among organisms in a given location and situation, and the reasons for absence or presence

- Ability to analyse and evaluate the potential for development of biodiversity  in a given locality

- Measures to put up a goal for development of biodiversity in a given area and for evaluation and documentation of this ambition



Competences:

- Transform theoretical knowledge to practical action in a situation given limited frames

- Assess biological elements, potentials, and possible development barriers in regards to nature areas in the urban environment

- Discuss biological aspects in relation to management with focus on authenticity, aesthetics, recreation and other interests

Recommended qualifications

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.