In our journal City Diversity, a special issue is calling for papers about urban ecosystems.

In city diversity, urban ecosystems are functional groups of ecosystems within biological systems that use land intensively. Urban ecosystems are structurally complex ecosystems with a highly heterogeneous and dynamic spatial structure created and maintained by human beings. They include cities, smaller settlements and industrial areas, which are made up of different types of patches. Urban ecosystems are incomplete ecosystems that require large inputs of materials and energy from other ecosystems.

The largest urban ecosystems are now concentrated in Europe, India, Japan, eastern China, South America and the United States, mainly on coasts with ports, along rivers and at the intersections of transport routes. Large urban areas have been a feature of the industrialized countries of Europe and North America since the 19th century. Currently, however, the greatest urban growth is taking place in Africa, South and East Asia and Latin America, and the majority of mega-cities (that is, those with more than 10 million inhabitants) will be found there by 2030.

We believe that the knowledge gained from studying biological communities in cities may assist in the development of improved urban design and decision-making in dealing with such problems. Therefore, in this special issue, we invite detailed cases involving urban ecosystems. Other related topics such as urban ecosystem services, urban sprawl, urban landscape, the management of urban ecosystems, etc. are also welcome.

detailed cases involving urban ecosystems. Other related topics such as urban ecosystem services, urban sprawl, urban landscape, the management of urban ecosystems, etc.