Department of
Crop Science

Urban and Suburban Ecology

Content

Flora and vegetation of Mediterranean ecosystems. Vegetation zones in the Mediterranean and Greece, their geographical distribution, and climatic characteristics of each zone. The most significant habitat types in each zone and representative plant species. Morphological and ecological characteristics of plant species. Plant diversity in urban and suburban areas in Greece. The flora of Attica (Athens, coastal areas, and mountains). The fauna of Greece. Fauna from various ecosystems. Mammals, reptiles, birds. Wildlife management. Cities - Historical Overview - Types of cities - City Models - Urbanization - Megacities and Favelas - Demographics. Modern cities - Garden cities - Green cities - Soft cities - Smart cities - Cities of the future. Ecology - Urban Ecology. Principles of sustainable natural resource management. Ecosystem fragmentation - Ecological corridors - Greenways. Biodiversity and urban ecosystems. Examples of protection and enhancement of biodiversity in cities. Urban pollution with an emphasis on atmospheric - gaseous and particulate pollution - impacts on humans and plants. Toxic metals in the urban environment - Studies of heavy metal bioaccumulation in playgrounds in Athens. Noise pollution - Light pollution - Thermal pollution - Health and biodiversity impacts - the use of suitable plant species for their mitigation. Indoor pollution and purification plants. Management of contaminated areas - phytoremediation: the use of plants in decontamination. Bioindicators, atmospheric pollution biometrics. Sustainable management of solid and liquid urban waste - Environmental national and European legislation. Circular economy - recovery-reuse - sustainable management in the urban fabric.

Learning results

Postgraduate students taking the course usually come from diverse academic backgrounds compared to their undergraduate studies. The lectures in the course encompass both theoretical and applied aspects, with the goal of equipping postgraduate students who successfully complete the course with skills that will be valuable for their continuing into a doctoral program or working as specialized scientists. The course examines the functioning of urban ecosystems, the management of key urban environmental issues, and how human activities impact natural and semi-natural ecosystems. It focuses on methods for assessing impacts and practical applications of ecological knowledge for managing urban and suburban parks, including the establishment of Greenways within cities. Additionally, it presents the fundamental principles of Urban Agriculture and methods for managing natural resources in the urban environment. The course aims to develop the following general skills:

• Environmental awareness

• Project planning and management

• Working in an international environment

• Working in an interdisciplinary environment

• Development of free, creative, and inductive thinking

Bibliography

Bibliography: Gaston, K. J., Davies, Z. G., Edmondson, J. L., Evans, K. L., et al. 2010. Urban Ecology. Editor: Kevin J. Gaston, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 9780521743495 Kevin J. Gaston, Thomas Elmqvist, Thomas M. Kinzig, and Peter H. Warren (Eds). 2020. Urban Ecology: Emerging Patterns and Social-Ecological Systems. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780199663309 James Girard. 2013. Principles of Environmental Chemistry. ISBN-10: 1449693520, ISBN-13: 978-1449693527. Frank R. Spellman. 2021. The Science of Environmental Pollution. CRC Press. ISBN:9781000400076, 1000400077 -Related scientific journals: Journal of Urban Ecology Urban Ecosystems Urban Ecology

Faculty

210 529 4466
saitanis@aua.gr
Quantitative Ecology and Environmental Pollution

NEWSLETTER

The Faculty of Crop Science of the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), was founded in June 1989 (Official Journal of the Hellenic Republic Νο. 166Α΄/16-6-1989) it is the first University Faculty of Crop Science founded in Greece
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