2026/05/27 by Kylie Soanes, Holly Kirk · 1 voice
Environmental Science · #Urban Planning and Landscape Design #Environmental Philosophy and Ethics #Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
paper · doi:10.1093/biosci/biag083
Abstract Responding to the biodiversity crisis in cities requires a new model of environmental researcher. Conservation scientists have a critical role to play in shaping the future of biodiverse, ecologically thriving cities. However, many of the principles and paradigms guiding traditional ecology and conservation introduce a rigidity ill-suited to the complex socio-ecological systems of cities. Here, we argue that to be effective in an urban environment, ecologists and conservation scientists first need to overcome lingering mental hurdles and embrace the urban-ness of urban ecosystems. To that end, we employ a framework established by Jane Austen, presenting four commonly observed prides and prejudices that may limit the success of urban ecologists and conservation scientists, and a suite of desirable character traits required to be a truly accomplished urban environmental researcher.