In 2014 we received funding from the National Science Foundation to develop a Research Coordination Network (RCN) focusing on urban biodiversity research and practice. The Urban Biodiversity Research Coordination Network (UrBioNet) has six goals: 1) to expand a global urban biodiversity database by incorporating data from cities in Africa, South America, and South Asia; 2) to engage scientists and managers globally to compile and synthesize data sets on taxonomic groups in cities with an initial focus on bats, birds, freshwater fish, insect pollinators, and plants; 3) to identify generalities on the patterns and processes shaping urban biodiversity across the world’s cities; 4) to quantify the relative importance of physical, climatic, and social factors in driving patterns of urban biodiversity; and 5) to develop recommendations for monitoring biodiversity in urban areas.
Results/Conclusions
UrBioNet has been successful in developing a global network of over 400 researchers and practitioners with an interest in urban biodiversity. The online database includes species lists and other biodiversity related products from cities around the world. The network's workshops and online graduate course have involved approximately 70 participants and included over 20 graduate students. The network's workshops have been successful in synthesizing data on links between biodiversity and socioeconomic status, life history patterns and traits associated with populations of urban species, and approaches used in assessing, monitoring, and managing biodiversity in cities. This remaining papers in this symposium will highlight the activities of the three UrBioNet workshops and their relevance to urban biodiversity research and practice.