Ecosystem News 2-2012.pdf

The latest research regarding Beijing’s urban vegetation
In the process of rapid urbanization, human activities play an important role in determining the urban plant species composition, origin, life form and other features of the urban landscape; in turn, urban vegetation can have a far-reaching impact on the urban ecosystem. In a recent systematic field investigation, researchers at the Beijing Urban Ecosystem Research Station studied the number of invasive and naturalized plant species in each district/county in Beijing, where they also gathered information about the factors influencing these species. The researchers then used the data from 214 sampling sites to investigate changes in plant diversity alongside the factors driving these changes through an examination of the quantitative relationships between plant diversity/abundance and land use type, geographical and socio-economic factors across the whole city. Based on the results, the researchers provided some suggestions to the related official agencies for future urban green space construction and design. Contact: Huafeng Wang