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Carl Folke; Åsa Gren; Jonas Larsson; Robert Costanza. Cities and the Biosphere. Ambio 2021, 1 -2.
AMA StyleCarl Folke, Åsa Gren, Jonas Larsson, Robert Costanza. Cities and the Biosphere. Ambio. 2021; ():1-2.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarl Folke; Åsa Gren; Jonas Larsson; Robert Costanza. 2021. "Cities and the Biosphere." Ambio , no. : 1-2.
More precise explanations are needed to better understand why public green spaces are diminishing in cities, leading to the loss of ecosystem services that humans receive from natural systems. This paper is devoted to the incremental change of green spaces—a fate that is largely undetectable by urban residents. The paper elucidates a set of drivers resulting in the subtle loss of urban green spaces and elaborates on the consequences of this for resilience planning of ecosystem services. Incremental changes of greenspace trigger baseline shifts, where each generation of humans tends to take the current condition of an ecosystem as the normal state, disregarding its previous states. Even well-intended political land-use decisions, such as current privatization schemes, can cumulatively result in undesirable societal outcomes, leading to a gradual loss of opportunities for nature experience. Alfred E. Kahn referred to such decision making as ‘the tyranny of small decisions.’ This is mirrored in urban planning as problems that are dealt with in an ad hoc manner with no officially formulated vision for long-term spatial planning. Urban common property systems could provide interim solutions for local governments to survive periods of fiscal shortfalls. Transfer of proprietor rights to civil society groups can enhance the resilience of ecosystem services in cities.
Johan Colding; Åsa Gren; Stephan Barthel. The Incremental Demise of Urban Green Spaces. Land 2020, 9, 162 .
AMA StyleJohan Colding, Åsa Gren, Stephan Barthel. The Incremental Demise of Urban Green Spaces. Land. 2020; 9 (5):162.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJohan Colding; Åsa Gren; Stephan Barthel. 2020. "The Incremental Demise of Urban Green Spaces." Land 9, no. 5: 162.
Smart growth (SG) is widely adopted by planners and policy makers as an environmentally friendly way of building cities. In this paper, we analyze the environmental validity of the SG-approach based on a review of the scientific literature. We found a lack of proof of environmental gains, in combination with a great inconsistency in the measurements of different SG attributes. We found that a surprisingly limited number of studies have actually examined the environmental rationales behind SG, with 34% of those studies displaying negative environmental outcomes of SG. Based on the insights from the review, we propose that research within this context must first be founded in more advanced and consistent knowledge of geographic and spatial analyses. Second, it needs to a greater degree be based on a system’s understanding of urban processes. Third, it needs to aim at making cities more resilient, e.g., against climate-change effects.
Åsa Gren; Johan Colding; Meta Berghauser-Pont; Lars Marcus. How smart is smart growth? Examining the environmental validation behind city compaction. Ambio 2018, 48, 580 -589.
AMA StyleÅsa Gren, Johan Colding, Meta Berghauser-Pont, Lars Marcus. How smart is smart growth? Examining the environmental validation behind city compaction. Ambio. 2018; 48 (6):580-589.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÅsa Gren; Johan Colding; Meta Berghauser-Pont; Lars Marcus. 2018. "How smart is smart growth? Examining the environmental validation behind city compaction." Ambio 48, no. 6: 580-589.
A pressing issue for mankind is how to combine urban expansion and food production for present and future generations. Using a case study example –the Stockholm County in Sweden- we illustrate how incorporating an ecosystem service perspective into urban planning may help us rethink the urban-rural divide in order to facilitate a sustainable development of the urban agricultural landscape of Stockholm. In our case study we show that semi-natural pollinator habitats will be 12 times as affected by the planned urban expansion than farmland. Hence, the fate and management of semi-natural pollinator habitats need to be prioritized at least as much as saving productive areas for farming in the urban expansion process. We also show that urban green areas, through their potential to act as semi-natural habitats, provide a tangible link between the pollination service and the urban planning process, contributing to a better grounding of the urban expansion in an ecosystem service reality. Also, acknowledging that land use types typically classified as “urban”, such as urban green areas, can ecologically support many “rural” ecosystem services, like pollination and food production, contributes to overcoming the, often unconstructive, urban-rural divide. We conclude that beneath the apparent direct trade-offs between finding suitable land for urban expansion and preserving land for food production, there is potential for compromises, opportunities and synergies.
Åsa Gren; Erik Andersson. Being efficient and green by rethinking the urban-rural divide—Combining urban expansion and food production by integrating an ecosystem service perspective into urban planning. Sustainable Cities and Society 2018, 40, 75 -82.
AMA StyleÅsa Gren, Erik Andersson. Being efficient and green by rethinking the urban-rural divide—Combining urban expansion and food production by integrating an ecosystem service perspective into urban planning. Sustainable Cities and Society. 2018; 40 ():75-82.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÅsa Gren; Erik Andersson. 2018. "Being efficient and green by rethinking the urban-rural divide—Combining urban expansion and food production by integrating an ecosystem service perspective into urban planning." Sustainable Cities and Society 40, no. : 75-82.
We propose a framework to support management that builds on a social–ecological system perspective on the Arctic Ocean. We illustrate the framework’s application for two policy-relevant scenarios of climate-driven change, picturing a shift in zooplankton composition and alternatively a crab invasion. We analyse archetypical system dynamics between the socio-economic, the natural, and the governance systems in these scenarios. Our holistic approach can help managers identify looming problems arising from complex system interactions and prioritise among problems and solutions, even when available data are limited.
Anne-Sophie Crépin; Åsa Gren; Gustav Engström; Daniel Ospina. Operationalising a social–ecological system perspective on the Arctic Ocean. Ambio 2017, 46, 475 -485.
AMA StyleAnne-Sophie Crépin, Åsa Gren, Gustav Engström, Daniel Ospina. Operationalising a social–ecological system perspective on the Arctic Ocean. Ambio. 2017; 46 (3):475-485.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnne-Sophie Crépin; Åsa Gren; Gustav Engström; Daniel Ospina. 2017. "Operationalising a social–ecological system perspective on the Arctic Ocean." Ambio 46, no. 3: 475-485.
The spatial extent of ecological processes has consequences for the generation of ecosystem services related to them. However, management often fails to consider issues of scale when targeting ecological processes underpinning ecosystem services generation. Here, we present a framework for conceptualizing how the amount and spatial scale (here discussed in terms of extent) of management interventions alter interactions among multiple ecosystem services. First, we identify four types of responses of ecosystem service generation: linear, exponential, saturating, and sigmoid, and how these are related to the amount of management intervention at a particular spatial scale. Second, using examples from multiple ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes, we examine how the shape of these relationships can vary with the spatial scale at which the management interventions are implemented. Third, we examine the resulting scale-dependent consequences for trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services as a consequence of interventions. Finally, to inform guidelines for management of multiple ecosystem services in real landscapes, we end with a discussion linking the theoretical relationships with how landscape configurations and placement of interventions can alter the scale at which synergies and trade-offs among services occur.
Regina Lindborg; Line Gordon; Rebecka Henriksson Malinga; Jan Bengtsson; Garry Peterson; Riccardo Bommarco; Lisa Deutsch; Åsa Gren; Maj Rundlöf; Henrik G. Smith. How spatial scale shapes the generation and management of multiple ecosystem services. Ecosphere 2017, 8, 1 .
AMA StyleRegina Lindborg, Line Gordon, Rebecka Henriksson Malinga, Jan Bengtsson, Garry Peterson, Riccardo Bommarco, Lisa Deutsch, Åsa Gren, Maj Rundlöf, Henrik G. Smith. How spatial scale shapes the generation and management of multiple ecosystem services. Ecosphere. 2017; 8 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRegina Lindborg; Line Gordon; Rebecka Henriksson Malinga; Jan Bengtsson; Garry Peterson; Riccardo Bommarco; Lisa Deutsch; Åsa Gren; Maj Rundlöf; Henrik G. Smith. 2017. "How spatial scale shapes the generation and management of multiple ecosystem services." Ecosphere 8, no. 4: 1.
Engström, G., and A. Gren. 2017. Capturing the value of green space in urban parks in a sustainable urban planning and design context: pros and cons of hedonic pricing. Ecology and Society 22(2):21. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09365-220221
Engstr; Asa Gren. Capturing the value of green space in urban parks in a sustainable urban planning and design context: pros and cons of hedonic pricing. Ecology and Society 2017, 22, 1 .
AMA StyleEngstr, Asa Gren. Capturing the value of green space in urban parks in a sustainable urban planning and design context: pros and cons of hedonic pricing. Ecology and Society. 2017; 22 (2):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEngstr; Asa Gren. 2017. "Capturing the value of green space in urban parks in a sustainable urban planning and design context: pros and cons of hedonic pricing." Ecology and Society 22, no. 2: 1.
Timon McPhearson; Dagmar Haase; Nadja Kabisch; Åsa Gren. Advancing understanding of the complex nature of urban systems. Ecological Indicators 2016, 70, 566 -573.
AMA StyleTimon McPhearson, Dagmar Haase, Nadja Kabisch, Åsa Gren. Advancing understanding of the complex nature of urban systems. Ecological Indicators. 2016; 70 ():566-573.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTimon McPhearson; Dagmar Haase; Nadja Kabisch; Åsa Gren. 2016. "Advancing understanding of the complex nature of urban systems." Ecological Indicators 70, no. : 566-573.
Erik Andersson; Stephan Barthel; Sara Borgström; Johan Colding; Thomas Elmqvist; Carl Folke; Åsa Gren. Reconnecting Cities to the Biosphere: Stewardship of Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecosystem Services. Urban Ecology 2015, 3 -19.
AMA StyleErik Andersson, Stephan Barthel, Sara Borgström, Johan Colding, Thomas Elmqvist, Carl Folke, Åsa Gren. Reconnecting Cities to the Biosphere: Stewardship of Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecosystem Services. Urban Ecology. 2015; ():3-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErik Andersson; Stephan Barthel; Sara Borgström; Johan Colding; Thomas Elmqvist; Carl Folke; Åsa Gren. 2015. "Reconnecting Cities to the Biosphere: Stewardship of Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecosystem Services." Urban Ecology , no. : 3-19.
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector and continues to expand alongside terrestrial crop and livestock production. Using portfolio theory as a conceptual framework, we explore how current interconnections between the aquaculture, crop, livestock, and fisheries sectors act as an impediment to, or an opportunity for, enhanced resilience in the global food system given increased resource scarcity and climate change. Aquaculture can potentially enhance resilience through improved resource use efficiencies and increased diversification of farmed species, locales of production, and feeding strategies. However, aquaculture’s reliance on terrestrial crops and wild fish for feeds, its dependence on freshwater and land for culture sites, and its broad array of environmental impacts diminishes its ability to add resilience. Feeds for livestock and farmed fish that are fed rely largely on the same crops, although the fraction destined for aquaculture is presently small (∼4%). As demand for high-value fed aquaculture products grows, competition for these crops will also rise, as will the demand for wild fish as feed inputs. Many of these crops and forage fish are also consumed directly by humans and provide essential nutrition for low-income households. Their rising use in aquafeeds has the potential to increase price levels and volatility, worsening food insecurity among the most vulnerable populations. Although the diversification of global food production systems that includes aquaculture offers promise for enhanced resilience, such promise will not be realized if government policies fail to provide adequate incentives for resource efficiency, equity, and environmental protection.
Max Troell; Rosamond L. Naylor; Marc Metian; Malcolm Beveridge; Peter H. Tyedmers; Carl Folke; Kenneth J. Arrow; Scott Barrett; Anne-Sophie Crépin; Paul R. Ehrlich; Åsa Gren; Nils Kautsky; Simon Levin; Karine Nyborg; Henrik Osterblom; Stephen Polasky; Marten Scheffer; Brian H. Walker; Tasos Xepapadeas; Aart de Zeeuw. Does aquaculture add resilience to the global food system? Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2014, 111, 13257 -13263.
AMA StyleMax Troell, Rosamond L. Naylor, Marc Metian, Malcolm Beveridge, Peter H. Tyedmers, Carl Folke, Kenneth J. Arrow, Scott Barrett, Anne-Sophie Crépin, Paul R. Ehrlich, Åsa Gren, Nils Kautsky, Simon Levin, Karine Nyborg, Henrik Osterblom, Stephen Polasky, Marten Scheffer, Brian H. Walker, Tasos Xepapadeas, Aart de Zeeuw. Does aquaculture add resilience to the global food system? Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2014; 111 (37):13257-13263.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMax Troell; Rosamond L. Naylor; Marc Metian; Malcolm Beveridge; Peter H. Tyedmers; Carl Folke; Kenneth J. Arrow; Scott Barrett; Anne-Sophie Crépin; Paul R. Ehrlich; Åsa Gren; Nils Kautsky; Simon Levin; Karine Nyborg; Henrik Osterblom; Stephen Polasky; Marten Scheffer; Brian H. Walker; Tasos Xepapadeas; Aart de Zeeuw. 2014. "Does aquaculture add resilience to the global food system?" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111, no. 37: 13257-13263.
Although a number of comprehensive reviews have examined global ecosystem services (ES), few have focused on studies that assess urban ecosystem services (UES). Given that more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, understanding the dualism of the provision of and need for UES is of critical importance. Which UES are the focus of research, and what types of urban land use are examined? Are models or decision support systems used to assess the provision of UES? Are trade-offs considered? Do studies of UES engage stakeholders? To address these questions, we analyzed 217 papers derived from an ISI Web of Knowledge search using a set of standardized criteria. The results indicate that most UES studies have been undertaken in Europe, North America, and China, at city scale. Assessment methods involve bio-physical models, Geographical Information Systems, and valuation, but few study findings have been implemented as land use policy.
Dagmar Haase; Neele Larondelle; Erik Andersson; Martina Artmann; Sara Borgström; Jürgen Breuste; Erik Gomez-Baggethun; Åsa Gren; Zoé Hamstead; Rieke Hansen; Nadja Kabisch; Peleg Kremer; Johannes Langemeyer; Emily Lorance Rall; Timon McPhearson; Stephan Pauleit; Salman Qureshi; Nina Schwarz; Annette Voigt; Daniel Wurster; Thomas Elmqvist. A Quantitative Review of Urban Ecosystem Service Assessments: Concepts, Models, and Implementation. Ambio 2014, 43, 413 -433.
AMA StyleDagmar Haase, Neele Larondelle, Erik Andersson, Martina Artmann, Sara Borgström, Jürgen Breuste, Erik Gomez-Baggethun, Åsa Gren, Zoé Hamstead, Rieke Hansen, Nadja Kabisch, Peleg Kremer, Johannes Langemeyer, Emily Lorance Rall, Timon McPhearson, Stephan Pauleit, Salman Qureshi, Nina Schwarz, Annette Voigt, Daniel Wurster, Thomas Elmqvist. A Quantitative Review of Urban Ecosystem Service Assessments: Concepts, Models, and Implementation. Ambio. 2014; 43 (4):413-433.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDagmar Haase; Neele Larondelle; Erik Andersson; Martina Artmann; Sara Borgström; Jürgen Breuste; Erik Gomez-Baggethun; Åsa Gren; Zoé Hamstead; Rieke Hansen; Nadja Kabisch; Peleg Kremer; Johannes Langemeyer; Emily Lorance Rall; Timon McPhearson; Stephan Pauleit; Salman Qureshi; Nina Schwarz; Annette Voigt; Daniel Wurster; Thomas Elmqvist. 2014. "A Quantitative Review of Urban Ecosystem Service Assessments: Concepts, Models, and Implementation." Ambio 43, no. 4: 413-433.
Within-city green infrastructure can offer opportunities and new contexts for people to become stewards of ecosystem services. We analyze cities as social–ecological systems, synthesize the literature, and provide examples from more than 15 years of research in the Stockholm urban region, Sweden. The social–ecological approach spans from investigating ecosystem properties to the social frameworks and personal values that drive and shape human interactions with nature. Key findings demonstrate that urban ecosystem services are generated by social–ecological systems and that local stewards are critically important. However, land-use planning and management seldom account for their role in the generation of urban ecosystem services. While the small scale patchwork of land uses in cities stimulates intense interactions across borders much focus is still on individual patches. The results highlight the importance and complexity of stewardship of urban biodiversity and ecosystem services and of the planning and governance of urban green infrastructure.
Erik Andersson; Stephan Barthel; Sara Borgström; Johan Colding; Thomas Elmqvist; Carl Folke; Åsa Gren. Reconnecting Cities to the Biosphere: Stewardship of Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecosystem Services. Ambio 2014, 43, 445 -453.
AMA StyleErik Andersson, Stephan Barthel, Sara Borgström, Johan Colding, Thomas Elmqvist, Carl Folke, Åsa Gren. Reconnecting Cities to the Biosphere: Stewardship of Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecosystem Services. Ambio. 2014; 43 (4):445-453.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErik Andersson; Stephan Barthel; Sara Borgström; Johan Colding; Thomas Elmqvist; Carl Folke; Åsa Gren. 2014. "Reconnecting Cities to the Biosphere: Stewardship of Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecosystem Services." Ambio 43, no. 4: 445-453.
We explore the potential of urban ecosystem services for improving resilience and quality of life in cities. First, we classify and categorize important ecosystem services and disservices in urban areas. Second, we describe a range of valuation approaches (cultural values, health benefits, economic costs, and resilience) for capturing the importance of urban ecosystem service multiple values. Finally, we analyze how ecosystem service assessment may inform urban planning and governance and provide practical examples from cities in Africa, Europe, and America. From our review, we find that many urban ecosystem services have already been identified, characterized and valued, and have been found to be of great value and importance for human well-being and urban resilience. We conclude that the use of the concept of urban ecosystem services can play a critical role in reconnecting cities to the biosphere, and reducing the ecological footprint and ecological debt of cities while enhancing resilience, health, and quality of life of their inhabitants.
Erik Gómez-Baggethun; Åsa Gren; David N. Barton; Johannes Langemeyer; Timon McPhearson; Patrick O’Farrell; Erik Andersson; Zoé Hamstead; Peleg Kremer. Urban Ecosystem Services. Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities 2013, 175 -251.
AMA StyleErik Gómez-Baggethun, Åsa Gren, David N. Barton, Johannes Langemeyer, Timon McPhearson, Patrick O’Farrell, Erik Andersson, Zoé Hamstead, Peleg Kremer. Urban Ecosystem Services. Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities. 2013; ():175-251.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErik Gómez-Baggethun; Åsa Gren; David N. Barton; Johannes Langemeyer; Timon McPhearson; Patrick O’Farrell; Erik Andersson; Zoé Hamstead; Peleg Kremer. 2013. "Urban Ecosystem Services." Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities , no. : 175-251.