A Distinct Urban Biogeochemistry?

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From: environmentalbase.phpblogsite.com

A paper on applying biophysical process and functioning to urban ecology.

Kaye, J.P., Groffman, P.M., Grimm, N.B., Baker, L.A. & Pouyat, R.V. 2006. A Distinct Urban Biogeochemistry? Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 21 (4): 192-199.

Link: http://kayelab.psu.edu/pdf/kaye_trends2006.pdf

ABSTRACT

Most
of the human population lives in urban areas where biogeochemical
cycles are controlled by complex interactions between society and the
environment. Urban ecology is an emerging discipline that seeks to
understand these interactions, and one of the grand challenges for
urban ecologists is to develop models that encompass the myriad of
influences of people on biogeochemistry. We suggest here that existing
models, developed primarily in unmanaged and agricultural ecosystems,
work poorly in urban ecosystems because they do not include human
biogeochemical controls such as impervious surface proliferation,
engineered aqueous flow paths, landscape choices, and human demographic
trends. Incorporating these human controls into biogeochemical models
will advance urban ecology and will require collaborations with
engineers and social scientists.

READ FULL ARTICLE POSTED ON "INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY WEB JOURNAL" HERE:

http://industrialecologyweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/distinct-urban-biogeochemistry.html