Zheng-hong Kong (China) – Urban Biodiversity Research and

8 th IALE, Beijing, 18-23 August, 2011
“Landscape Ecology for Sustainable Environment and Culture”
Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in
China and Europe: A Comparison
Zheng-hong Kong
上海全丰投资有限公司
SHANGHAI QUANFENG INVESTMENT CO., LTD.

1.Introduction
Content
1.1 Concepts of Urban Biodiversity
1.2 Urbanization and Biodiversity
1.3 Biodiversity in Cities
2.Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China and Europe
2.1 Characteristics of Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China
2.2 Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in Europe
2.3 Comparison: Differences under Common Goals
3. Trends, Chances and Challenges
3.1 Trends
3.2 Chances
3.3 Challenges

1.Introduction
1.1 Concepts of Urban Biodiversity
Müller (2010): Urban biodiversity is the variety and richness of living organisms, including
genetic, species and habitat diversity found in and on the edge of cities.
Old brownfield, Schöneberber Südgelände / Berlin
(from: N.Mueller)
Small squirrel around Bratislava © REC Slovakia

1.2 Urbanization and Biodiversity
1.2.1 Urbanization in China and Europe
Top 10 Largest Urban Agglomerations in 1975, 2000, and 2025
Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects, The 2007 Revision

1.2.1 Urbanization in China and Europe
Percentage
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Year
Percentage Urban ( 1950-2050)
2010
2020
2030
2040
2050
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1
China
Europe
Germany
Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects, The 2007 Revision
Area/Pop Density: km2/ /km2
Germany: 357,021 ; 229 ;
Europe(50): 10,180,000; 70;
China: 9,640,821; 139.6
Urban Annual Growth Rate(1950-2050)
1950-1955 1965-1970 1980-1985 1995-2000 2010-2015 2025-2030 2040-2045
China
Europe
Germany

1.2 Urbanization and Biodiversity
1.2.2 Impacts of Urbanization on Biodiversity
�Biodiversity Loss
�Biological Homogenization
Beijing, Source: www.indiatalkies.com/2011/03
“If we do not learn to build, expand
and design our cities with a respect
for nature, we will have no nature
left anywhere.” --Peter Kareivab
Vancouver (Credit: iStockphoto/Dan Barnes)

1.2.2 Impacts of Urbanization on Biodiversity
Global Biodiversity Hotspots

1.2.2 Impacts of Urbanization on Biodiversity
Vascular Plant Hotspots & Megacities
Source: http://www.worldatlas.com/citypops.htm altered Kümmerling 2011

1.2.3 Biodiversity Characteristics in China and Europe
Biodiversity in China
�
�
�
�
600 ecosystem types
more than 1/10 of the total number of
species in the world
10 thousands species of vascular plants
many ecosystem types in Subtropics and
Qinghai-Xizang Plateau are the unique one
of its kind in the world. ….
Temperate forest ©
Wang Xiaodong
Biodiversity in Europe
�
�
Ass in Qinghai-Xizhang Plateau
© Wang Xiaodong
Europe is a continent of breathtaking
natural beauty and dramatic contrasts.
Its natural heritage includes several
thousand types of habitat, 520 species of
bird, 10 000 plant species and at least 100
000 species of invertebrate.
Mountains in Europe (Kong 2010)

1.3 Biodiversity in Cities
•Native species
Declining
Apophyte
In Berlin Calamagrostis
epigejos, Poa palustris
and Hypericum
perforatum are not only
frequent on their original
habitats but invade
strongly changed sites.
Poa palustris, from Wikipedia
Hypericum perforatum, from Wikipedia
Calamagrostis epigejos, from Wikipedia

1.3 Biodiversity in Cities
Non-native species have a high proportion in cities due to introduction, immigration and
naturalization.
neophytes & anecophytes
Robinia pseudoacacia,
once planted as an
ornamental, now common
in wasteland
Ailanthus altissima
now invasive species in
the Northern
Hemisphere
Robinia pseudoacacia, from Wikipedia Ailanthus altissima , from Wikipedia

1.3 Biodiversity in Cities
non-native species
Eichhirnia crasslpes were introduced to
China to help purify water body in cities
in 1950s. It soon became invasive and
difficult to get rid of.
Human population growth and
naturalized plants in Berlin (Sukopp
& Wurzel 2003)
Ref.: e. g. Fine & Christoforides 1991, Kowarik 2003, Sukopp&Wurzel 2003

1.3 Biodiversity in Cities
non-native species
The pigeon
(Columba livea), a
typical bird of
rocks and cliffs,
meanwhile the
most common bird
in cities .
(Fig. from www.puzzles-
games.eu)
Ref.: e. g. Kowarik & Starfinger 2002, McKinney 2002

1.3 Biodiversity in Cities
New taxa are appearing in urban areas
adapted to the special ecological conditions in urban habitats
New interactions (biocenoses) develop between animals and plants
House sparrow
Oenothera ssp.
Ref.: e. g. Mueller 2010, Johnston & Selander 1964, Wittig 2004, Keil & Loos 2005
Aster ssp.

1.3 Biodiversity in Cities
Urbanization creates new habitats e.g. residential areas and gardens, parks, railway
areas, brown fields……………..
Residential area in Rotternburg
Old brownfield, Schöneberger Südgelände / Berlin

2.Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China and Europe
2.1 Characteristics of Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in China
2.1.1 Introducing nature into cities has been traditional culture in urban design and development.
Classical Chinese Gardening (CCG) , also known as Landscape and Gardening has
developed from and with evolution of Chinese cities. One of its core principles is to
resemble natural landscapes in cities.
Yi-He-Yuan in Beijing, once the former emperors’
garden, first built in 1750.
Qiu-Xia-Pu in Shanghai, once a private garden, first
built in 1506.

2.1.1 Introducing nature into cities has been traditional culture in urban design
and development.
Traditionally, some
people also planted trees
or a stand around their
houses to create or keep
a good Feng-Shui for
the houses.
Traditional residence in Beijing
(up: inside bottom: overview)
Source: www.beijingtourist.com

2.1.1 Introducing nature into cities has been traditional culture in urban design
and development.
Old Parks vs. New Parks
Changfeng Park, Shanghai (Kong, 2006) Century Park, Shanghai (up :down) (Kong, 2007)

2.1.2 Urban biodiversity has been generally integrated in regional investigations.
Cultivated plants in cities have been better documented.
National and International
Conferences on Horticultural
Plants in Cities
Publications about
Horticultural plants in Cities

2.1.3 Trees and urban forests have been frequently studied.
Urban forest in Shanghai
Journal of Chinese Urban Forestry

2.1.4 Urban green space at the city level has been main object of assessment
and design.
Spatial pattern, such as patch
number, patch size, connectivity
are important indicators of
successful design.
City Green Space Planning and Design of
Xiang-jiang city, Jiang-su Province, China
www. Jiangsu.gov.cn

2.1.5 In China, city as a subject for ecological research initiated in 1970s,
established in 1980s and influenced by thoughts from Anglo-American
regions and European areas.
In the summer of 1988, a
group of ecologists from the
Federal Republic Germany,
Led by Professor H.Sokupp ,
came to China.
Professor H.Sukopp, the father of Urban Ecology
Ref. Chen Chang-du. 1989. Song Yong-chang etc. 2006.

2.2 Urban Biodiversity Research and Design in Europe
2.2.1 A long tradition of flora and fauna investigation in urban areas.
Particular biotopes, such as ruins and walls or gardens and parks has been studied
for centuries.
Runneburg, Erfurt (Kong 2011)
Ref. H.Sukopp.2002.
“Park on der Ilm”, Weimar (Schulze 2008)

2.2.2 Methods and Concepts
• A common way to study specific
urban biota and their habitats is the
investigation of their history and the
comparison along rural-urban
gradients.
• A concerted approach for urban
biodiversity studies have been
reached.
Ref. H.Sukopp.2004.
Erfurt, Germany (Kong, 2010)

2.2.2 Methods and Concepts
Species level:
• Data on species origin and time
of immigration are frequently
used to analyze species list.
• Comparison among cities has
been conducted to analyze the
impact of urbanization.
• Hemeroby concept is used to
measure a species response to
complex human influence.
.
Ref. Müller. 1990; Petr Pysek. 1995. ; H.Sukopp. 2004.

2.2.2 Methods and Concepts
Vegetation level:
• Description of vegetation is
almost exclusively with the
phytosociological approach.
• Distribution of communities
with respect to habitat type has
been widely studied.
Ref. Müller. 1990; Petr Pysek. 1995. ; H.Sukopp. 2004.
A green city center-Biotope Area Factor- BAF
http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/natur_g
ruen/index_en.shtml

2.2.3.Basic Results and Conclusions
• Even man-made sites have characteristic combinations of organisms.
• The similarity between former and present habitat conditions decreases with time
and along a gradient from the periphery to the centre. Parts of cities of different
ages have different plant species and communities.
• Changes in urban flora and vegetation include the decline of native species and
the introduction and naturalization of non-native plants. Both tendencies have
been accelerated since the middle of 19 th century.
• The majority of alien species that establish in cities have a southern origin.
Ref. Müller. 1990; Petr Pysek. 1995. ; H.Sukopp. 2004.

2.3 Comparison and Analysis: Differences under Common Goals
2.3.1 Common goals
• Conserve and experience nature in cities.
• Better research, Better design
The Yanzhong Green-space ,the largest
public green-space in Shanghai
www.epsh.sh.cn
Facades covered with greenery as an
ecosystem and species preservation
measure
http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/
natur_gruen/index_en.shtml

2.3.2. Different cognitive perspective concerning urban biodiversity
• Europe: nature of the city
• China: nature in the city
Course on plants in urban areas in Erfurt,
Germany(Kong 2011)
Course on plants in urban area,
Shanghai, China (Kong, 2005)

2.3.3 Different urbanization levels determine design emphasis.
• Europe: How to conserve current habitats in cities, e.g. biotope mapping
• China: How to have more green spaces in cities, e.g. green space
design

2.3.4 Urban biodiversity researches in Europe has taken spontaneous species
as main objects. Chinese researchers focus more on cultivated species since
we have a tradition to utilize plants.
Alexander von Humboldt
(1769-1859), Kosmos (1845)
Li Shi-Zhen (1518-1593) ,
Compendium of Materia Medica
also known as Flora sinensis (1593)
Charles Darwin (1809-
1882), On the origin of
Species(1859)

2.3.5 Different study stages determine research emphasis.
• Europe: Where are they from? How do they evolve?
• China: Which kind we need? How can they function better?
Prof.Sukopp in
Schöneberger
Südgelände ,
Berlin (Kong
2010)
Field investigations
for Flora of China
www.biodiversitychin
a.org

2.3.6 Different concerns about biodiversity in cities.
• Europe: nature conservation, amenity and recreation
• China: Amelioration of urban microclimate and
environmental quality, air pollution, noise. etc.
Citizens do morning exercise in the park in Beijing.
Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn
Ref. Jim and Chen. 2006. EEA. 2010.
Tree shades are popular in summer days in cities.
Source: www. Touristjs.com.cn

2.3.7 Urban biodiversity researches have far more impacts on designs in
Europe than in China.
• Europe: urban researchers
have a strong influence on
designers as well as policy
makers.
• China: Designers run after
urbanization and then followed
by researchers.

3. Trends, Chances and Chanllenges
3.1 Trends: Bridging science with policy –through projects and programmes
Hamburg, Green Capital of
Europe of 2010
Shenzhen, International Garden
City of 2000

3.2 Chances
• Sino-German Workshop on
Ecocities and Ecoprovinces:
Full group photo (photo:
Susanne Lehmann, 2010 in
Shenzhen, China)
• Excursion guide Röös explains
the forestry office’s strategy for
the Eifel National Park (photo:
Susanne Lehmann, 2009 in
Bonn, Germany)

3.2 Chances
• Germany adopted its
National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan
on 7 November,2007.
• China adopted its National
Biodiversity Strategy and
Action Plan in 1994. In 2010,
China adopted an updated
National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan for
2011-2030.

3.2 Chances
• Urban ecology course has been
opened to undergraduates in
life sciences or geographical
departments in many
universities in China.
• Urban planning and design
course is generally opened in
Architecture or Art
departments.
Buildings of 1950s of Tongji University who
enjoy a high reputation in urban planning
and design.
Beijing University, Urban Ecology course
was first opened in China.

3.3 Challenges
�Linking urban ecology with urban design
�Integration of biodiversity in urban development
� Closer integration of Urban biodiversity research and design
� Raising greater public awareness of urban biodiversity

Acknowledgement

Thanks for your attention!