Del| A new report from
the National Environmental Research Institute
(NERI) at Aarhus University presents methods
to calculate nature quality in urban areas
based on vegetation and structure. The methods
have been used to calculate the nature quality
in four districts of Copenhagen County with
a total of nine green areas.
Urban green spaces are
a key element of sustainable urban development.
Urban green spaces provide habitat for flora
and fauna and has a substantial value as
such. But the city's scenery and ecosystems
also provide a variety of services to the
city and its people - ecosystem services
are partly composed of physical and biological
functions such as purification of air, rainwater
drainage and shelter from extreme weather
and partly as social, recreational and aesthetic
qualities that urban green spaces add to
urban life.
This report is about
the biological aspects of urban green areas.
The urban green areas can accommodate a
large number of species but not all species
contribute equally to the quality of nature.
This report describes a method to calculate
the natural quality of urban nature and
presents calculated natural quality of concrete,
selected green areas.
The report is part of
a larger interdisciplinary project at the
National Environmental Research Institute
(NERI) at Aarhus University on Lifestyle
and Nature Quality in urban space , where
Copenhagen has been the subject of project
studies. The study is based on quantitative
analyses of the flora of two to three sites
in each of the four districts of Copenhagen
Vanløse, Ydre Nørrebro, Christians-havn/Holmen
and Sundby/-Ørestaden. The botanical
analysis is made both of the field layer
and of the tree layer. A total of nine sites
were further divided into from two to seven
sub-areas. A total of 32 sub-areas were
analysed. These sub-areas are all terrestrial
including small ponds and water courses,
but not neighbouring larger areas of water.
In addition to classical
variables like number of species and natural
quality based on species scores on a nature
quality scale (a scale adapted to Danish
conditions by NERI National Focal Point)
assessment of nature quality based on species
present also includes a variable for recreational
value of the field layer, which is described
and included.
The analysis of the
data, gathered in this project, gives hints
about what can be done to improve the nature
quality here and now and on a longer time
horizon. Changes in management operation
can here and now improve certain natural
quality variables based on species in the
field and tree layer, recreational nature
value, height structure of the field layer
vegetation and presence of invasive species.
In particular, the experience of the recreational
nature values can be improved by changing
mowing strategies. Thoughtful nature-enhancing
interventions may eventually increase certain
natural quality variables described under
"other structure" including humidity
gradient and terrain variation. For example
old trees can get extended life span by
management, old logs left in situ as a whole
to decay when it becomes necessary to fell,
cut tree stumps left as high stumps to decay,
and large stones can be placed strategically.
Establishment of humidity gradient and of
terrain variations are a good basis for
improved nature quality in monotone parks.
The investigations were
supported financially by Realdania.
Also published from
this project:
Urban green spaces are
a key element of sustainable urban development.
Urban green spaces provide habitat for flora
and fauna and has a substantial value as
such. But the city's scenery and ecosystems
also provide a variety of services to the
city and its people - ecosystem services
are partly composed of physical and biological
functions such as purification of air, rainwater
drainage and shelter from extreme weather
and partly as social, recreational and aesthetic
qualities that urban green spaces add to
urban life.
This report is about
the biological aspects of urban green areas.
The urban green areas can accommodate a
large number of species but not all species
contribute equally to the quality of nature.
This report describes a method to calculate
the natural quality of urban nature and
presents calculated natural quality of concrete,
selected green areas.
The report is part of
a larger interdisciplinary project at the
National Environmental Research Institute
(NERI) at Aarhus University on Lifestyle
and Nature Quality in urban space , where
Copenhagen has been the subject of project
studies. The study is based on quantitative
analyses of the flora of two to three sites
in each of the four districts of Copenhagen
Vanløse, Ydre Nørrebro, Christians-havn/Holmen
and Sundby/-Ørestaden. The botanical
analysis is made both of the field layer
and of the tree layer. A total of nine sites
were further divided into from two to seven
sub-areas. A total of 32 sub-areas were
analysed. These sub-areas are all terrestrial
including small ponds and water courses,
but not neighbouring larger areas of water.
In addition to classical
variables like number of species and natural
quality based on species scores on a nature
quality scale (a scale adapted to Danish
conditions by NERI National Focal Point)
assessment of nature quality based on species
present also includes a variable for recreational
value of the field layer, which is described
and included.
The analysis of the
data, gathered in this project, gives hints
about what can be done to improve the nature
quality here and now and on a longer time
horizon. Changes in management operation
can here and now improve certain natural
quality variables based on species in the
field and tree layer, recreational nature
value, height structure of the field layer
vegetation and presence of invasive species.
In particular, the experience of the recreational
nature values can be improved by changing
mowing strategies. Thoughtful nature-enhancing
interventions may eventually increase certain
natural quality variables described under
"other structure" including humidity
gradient and terrain variation. For example
old trees can get extended life span by
management, old logs left in situ as a whole
to decay when it becomes necessary to fell,
cut tree stumps left as high stumps to decay,
and large stones can be placed strategically.
Establishment of humidity gradient and of
terrain variations are a good basis for
improved nature quality in monotone parks.
The investigations were supported financially
by Realdania.
