The Urban Ecology Initiative

This factsheet provides a basic definition of urban ecology, suggests a new urban ecology research approach, and describes an initiative led by University of Washington researchers to teach urban ecology students an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving that would also provide the community with data on the relationship between urban landscapes and ecological processes.

This factsheet begins by defining urban ecology as “a multidisciplinary approach to the study of dynamic interactions among human and ecological systems” [Second paragraph on page 1].  It describes the effects of urbanization on ecosystems, and what urban ecologists are seeking to understand: in particular “how socio-economic factors (demographics, organizations, political institutions, and technology) and human preferences drive urban patterns and how these patterns affect ecological process and cause ecological change” [Second paragraph on page 1].  This information can be important in sustainable urban planning.  A new research approach is suggested that would address questions related to policy on various issues.  An issue of concern in this factsheet is the current disconnection between the scientific and political communities.  The factsheet stresses the importance of the scientific community being involved in political processes and states that “policy-makers must help formulate relevant scientific questions and participate actively in defining priorities” [First paragraph on page 2].  This factsheet also talks about the need for “a new approach to graduate education” [Second paragraph on page 2] focusing on the following skills/qualities: “interdisciplinarity, breadth, synthesis, flexibility, and sophisticated and unambiguous communication” [Second paragraph on page 2].  “The University of Washington’s Urban Ecology Initiative is developing an interdisciplinary approach to teaching designed to expose students to the very different ways in which social scientists, ecologists, policymakers, and natural resource managers define problems, gather information, and analyze issues” [Fourth paragraph on page 2].  2 pages. 8.5" x 11"

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