Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
McCord, Jr., Elzie
Keywords
Green Roof, Urban Ecology, Sustainable City
Area of Concentration
Environmental Science
Abstract
The urban environment is the new frontier for ecological improvement. Urban planting creates a richer ecosystem, enhances biodiversity, improves mental health, and alleviates some of the environmental externalities generated by urban areas (including pollution, runoff and heat island effects). This thesis examines the importance of improving city ecology and explores strategies by which to enact these improvements. Today, new measures-- such as restoration, reforestation, reconciliation and building green roofs-- must be taken to foster urban biodiversity. Developers often overlook the advantages of well-rounded planting programs due to their cost, but education can reverse this trend. Urban environmental research suggests that the benefits of urban greening far outweigh the costs.
Recommended Citation
Ferretti, Leo, "Improving Urban Ecology Bringing Native Back Home" (2011). Theses & ETDs. 4384.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4384