A study by scientists at the Central Arizona-Phoenix (CAP) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site found that residential yards in urban areas with native vegetation support local bird species better than those with traditional grass lawns, essentially providing “mini refuges.” The study, published in the online journal PLoS ONE, looked at residential landscapes in Phoenix,… Read more »
BES scientists have pioneered a new system for classifying the diverse land types in urban areas. This groundbreaking land classification system more accurately reflects ecological processes in cities and suburbs and better predicts potential changes in water quality and bird diversity — strengthening the toolbox for urban land managers.
BES scientists have found that cities are more biologically diverse than commonly thought and that large green spaces, small parks, yards, and vacant lands shelter new species of soil invertebrates, rare plants, and significant bird diversity. These studies underscore the importance of maintaining islands of green in urbanizing landscapes.
