URBAN ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT: A STUDY OF THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS AMONG SOCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, AND BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES OF THAT ECOSYSTEM.

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0200311
• Project Start Date: Jun 1, 2004
• Project End Date: Jan 31, 2007
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
1680 MADISON AVENUE
WOOSTER,OH 44691

Performing Department
SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Non Technical Summary
Urban complexes constitute unique ecosystems comprised of communities of plants, animals, including humans, that are interdependent with their physical environmennt forming distinct units. Urban ecosystems are relatively stable. They are dynamic and contiunally changing but exist in the same general form for extended time periods. This study will develop a model to guide the management of Urban Ecosystems. The interactions among the various layers within the urban ecosystem are the ultimate target of this study.

Animal Health Component

75%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

75%

Developmental

25%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
124	0530	1070	10%
124	0599	1070	30%
134	0530	1070	20%
134	0599	1070	40%

Knowledge Area
134 - Outdoor Recreation; 124 - Urban Forestry;

Subject Of Investigation
0599 - Recreational resources, general/other; 0530 - Parks and urban green space;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

urban areas

ecosystems

ecosystem management

environment

linkage

communities (ecology)

social structure

institutions

biological properties

urban forestry

outdoor recreation

open space

resource inventory

environmental quality

physical properties

plant communities

communities

rivers

parks

trails

wildlife human relations

hunting

wildlife management

geese

Goals / Objectives
Objective 1 is to develop techniques for inventorying and evaluating the components of the Urban Ecosystem. This requires definition and descriptions of the physcal, biological, and management components. Objective 2 is to develop techniques for monitoring and evaluating changes that take place within the Urban Ecosystem. Objective 3 is to determine linkages among the human, plant, and animal communities as they exist within the uran environment

Project Methods
Initially,in order to keep a very large job under control, the study will concentrate upon the river and park systems. Early emphasis will be placed upon the suburban city of Worthington so as to keep the early study area manageable. Later, concentration on the four river systems that run through the Columbus metropolitan area will provide the first pphases with enough work to develop the methodology for continuing with the rest of the metropolitan area.

Progress 06/01/04 to 01/31/07

Outputs
Dr. Douglass has retired.

Impacts
Undefined

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
This non-technical summary of the project purpose was submitted with the AD-416 for this project: Urban complexes constitute unique ecosystems comprised of communities of plants, animals, including humans, that are interdependent with their physical environmennt forming distinct units. Urban ecosystems are relatively stable. They are dynamic and contiunally changing but exist in the same general form for extended time periods. This study will develop a model to guide the management of Urban Ecosystems. The interactions among the various layers within the urban ecosystem are the ultimate target of this study.

Impacts
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has completed work on a green areas map for the greater Columbus, Ohio region. Urban wildlife problems caused by expanding white-tailed deer and Canada goose populations are being investigated. A new animal. the coyote, has entered the Columbus scene and is creating a significant impact. Stray cat numbers have plummeted with the new predetor arrival. No attacks on humans have been reported.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
The study of social and managerial interactions has begun with an inventory and eveluation of segments of the urban recreation system. Multiple use and bicycle trail inventories have begun with in the Central ohio district. Potential users have some access to information on the available trails. However, the complete picture of facilities along with their attributes is still lacking. The overall park development and uses are being constrained by economics except for the active MetroPark System which has been the sole active player.

Impacts
Urban wildlife interactions with humans is becoming both an attraction and a problem within urban areas. This study has concentrated upon those linear areas accessble through riverside parks and multiple use trails. Specifically, the Canadian Goose introduction program by the Ohio Department of Wildlife has been too successful for many urban trail and park users. There will need to be a study of urban users to compliment the hunter population desires.

Publications

• No publications reported this period