TY - BOOK
T1 - Ecological Resilience of Small Urban Parks
T2 - System Functionality and Adaptation to Disturbances
AU - JasmaniI, Zanariah Binti
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Rapid urbanisation has led to urban densification and urban green spaces becoming smaller and
more fragmented. However, the capability of small urban green spaces (e.g. parks) to support
ecological functioning and as habitats for urban species remains largely unexplored, particularly
in tropical regions. This PhD thesis is based on research conducted in Malaysia between 2013
and 2016. The research is at the interface of urban ecology, landscape architecture and the
management of urban green space.
The overall aim of the PhD study is to gain deeper knowledge about the characteristics of small
urban parks in Malaysia (using the case study of Petaling Jaya) through investigation of their
social and ecological qualities for enhancing ecological resilience. The central hypothesis of the
study is that small urban parks’ physical characteristics, vegetation diversity and structure and
human factors all influence their ecological quality, functioning and biodiversity. The key
research question of this PhD study is: ‘how are human and ecological components interrelated
in small urban parks?’ This PhD study comprises three main parts: a method developed for
assessing the social-ecological characteristics of small urban parks (study I), the use of small
urban parks by bird and butterfly species as ecological indicators (studies II and III) and
recommendations for planning, design and management of small urban parks (study IV). Nine
small urban parks in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia were investigated using the combined field survey
method of structured observation and field measurements. Inspired by the literature and previous
works, this study developed a framework to assess the important features of small urban parks
according to three categories of explanatory variables: physical characteristics, vegetation
diversity and human factors. Birds and butterflies (response variables) were used as indicators
for assessing ecological functions and biodiversity because they show clear responses to
environmental change and both taxa are relatively easy to identify. Each category of explanatory
variable consists of several sub-variables or attributes. The attributes of physical characteristics
include park size, land use, park shape, proximity to a road and the presence of a water element.
Elements relating to vegetation diversity, such as the presence and share of native and exotic
species, presence of flowering plants and the percentage of canopy cover, are also examined.
Human factors include activities, visitor density, noise levels and smells. This study’s analysis
uses mixed methods to explain and compare quantitative results with qualitative findings.
Pearson correlations were first performed to examine the relationships between the response and
explanatory variables. Then, multiple regressions, followed by analysis of Akaike’s Information
4
Criterion (AIC), were conducted to identify which of the explanatory variables have a significant
effect on and are the best predictors of the richness and abundance of bird and butterfly species
in small urban parks. The results of the analysis and subsequent discussion on birds and
butterflies are explained separately in detail in studies II and III.
Throughout the field survey, a total of 22 bird and 23 butterfly species were recorded. Most of
the birds and butterflies observed are common species in urban parks in Malaysia, and may be
regarded as generalist species and urban adapters. However, a few passage migrant birds also
had a presence in small urban parks. A total of 89 different plant species, comprising trees, palms
and shrubs, were recorded. There are similarities in plant species across all the small parks
studied, which may be due to the landscaping guidelines provided by the municipality. Overall,
exotic vegetation was planted more than native vegetation. Small urban parks were used mainly
for utilitarian purposes (42%, e.g. for walking or motorcyclist access), recreation (32%, e.g. for
relaxing or family outings) and sports, play and special occasions (26%). The statistical results
demonstrate that the percentage of canopy cover (negative relation) and park size (positive
relation) are the best predictors of the richness of bird species in small urban parks. For bird
abundance in small parks, the percentage of canopy cover (negative relation) and native
vegetation species (positive relation) are the best predictors. Meanwhile, the richness of butterfly
species can be best predicted by the percentage of canopy cover (positive relation) and shrub
species (positive relation). For butterfly abundance, the percentage of canopy cover (positive
relation) and number of native vegetation (positive relation) are the best predictors. Observations
revealed that activities in the surrounding areas influence the presence of birds in the small urban
park. Birds and butterflies react differently to various park maintenance practices (e.g. mowing).
Based on the overall results, findings and discussion of the key features for bird and butterfly
richness and abundance, study IV proposes nine recommendations for small urban parks to
improve their ecological functions and enhance biodiversity. These recommendations aim to
provide landscape architects, urban planners, park managers and municipalities with several
strategies to enhance the biodiversity and ecological qualities of small urban parks which can
directly promote ecological resilience. Although this study was conducted in the tropical country
of Malaysia, the overall findings and considerations are also applicable to many cities in the
Western world. The present study does not conclude that small urban parks are better than large
parks, but rather aims to provide solutions for small green spaces to support ecological functions
and serve as refuges for urban wildlife as cities become more densified.
AB - Rapid urbanisation has led to urban densification and urban green spaces becoming smaller and
more fragmented. However, the capability of small urban green spaces (e.g. parks) to support
ecological functioning and as habitats for urban species remains largely unexplored, particularly
in tropical regions. This PhD thesis is based on research conducted in Malaysia between 2013
and 2016. The research is at the interface of urban ecology, landscape architecture and the
management of urban green space.
The overall aim of the PhD study is to gain deeper knowledge about the characteristics of small
urban parks in Malaysia (using the case study of Petaling Jaya) through investigation of their
social and ecological qualities for enhancing ecological resilience. The central hypothesis of the
study is that small urban parks’ physical characteristics, vegetation diversity and structure and
human factors all influence their ecological quality, functioning and biodiversity. The key
research question of this PhD study is: ‘how are human and ecological components interrelated
in small urban parks?’ This PhD study comprises three main parts: a method developed for
assessing the social-ecological characteristics of small urban parks (study I), the use of small
urban parks by bird and butterfly species as ecological indicators (studies II and III) and
recommendations for planning, design and management of small urban parks (study IV). Nine
small urban parks in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia were investigated using the combined field survey
method of structured observation and field measurements. Inspired by the literature and previous
works, this study developed a framework to assess the important features of small urban parks
according to three categories of explanatory variables: physical characteristics, vegetation
diversity and human factors. Birds and butterflies (response variables) were used as indicators
for assessing ecological functions and biodiversity because they show clear responses to
environmental change and both taxa are relatively easy to identify. Each category of explanatory
variable consists of several sub-variables or attributes. The attributes of physical characteristics
include park size, land use, park shape, proximity to a road and the presence of a water element.
Elements relating to vegetation diversity, such as the presence and share of native and exotic
species, presence of flowering plants and the percentage of canopy cover, are also examined.
Human factors include activities, visitor density, noise levels and smells. This study’s analysis
uses mixed methods to explain and compare quantitative results with qualitative findings.
Pearson correlations were first performed to examine the relationships between the response and
explanatory variables. Then, multiple regressions, followed by analysis of Akaike’s Information
4
Criterion (AIC), were conducted to identify which of the explanatory variables have a significant
effect on and are the best predictors of the richness and abundance of bird and butterfly species
in small urban parks. The results of the analysis and subsequent discussion on birds and
butterflies are explained separately in detail in studies II and III.
Throughout the field survey, a total of 22 bird and 23 butterfly species were recorded. Most of
the birds and butterflies observed are common species in urban parks in Malaysia, and may be
regarded as generalist species and urban adapters. However, a few passage migrant birds also
had a presence in small urban parks. A total of 89 different plant species, comprising trees, palms
and shrubs, were recorded. There are similarities in plant species across all the small parks
studied, which may be due to the landscaping guidelines provided by the municipality. Overall,
exotic vegetation was planted more than native vegetation. Small urban parks were used mainly
for utilitarian purposes (42%, e.g. for walking or motorcyclist access), recreation (32%, e.g. for
relaxing or family outings) and sports, play and special occasions (26%). The statistical results
demonstrate that the percentage of canopy cover (negative relation) and park size (positive
relation) are the best predictors of the richness of bird species in small urban parks. For bird
abundance in small parks, the percentage of canopy cover (negative relation) and native
vegetation species (positive relation) are the best predictors. Meanwhile, the richness of butterfly
species can be best predicted by the percentage of canopy cover (positive relation) and shrub
species (positive relation). For butterfly abundance, the percentage of canopy cover (positive
relation) and number of native vegetation (positive relation) are the best predictors. Observations
revealed that activities in the surrounding areas influence the presence of birds in the small urban
park. Birds and butterflies react differently to various park maintenance practices (e.g. mowing).
Based on the overall results, findings and discussion of the key features for bird and butterfly
richness and abundance, study IV proposes nine recommendations for small urban parks to
improve their ecological functions and enhance biodiversity. These recommendations aim to
provide landscape architects, urban planners, park managers and municipalities with several
strategies to enhance the biodiversity and ecological qualities of small urban parks which can
directly promote ecological resilience. Although this study was conducted in the tropical country
of Malaysia, the overall findings and considerations are also applicable to many cities in the
Western world. The present study does not conclude that small urban parks are better than large
parks, but rather aims to provide solutions for small green spaces to support ecological functions
and serve as refuges for urban wildlife as cities become more densified.
UR - https://soeg.kb.dk/permalink/45KBDK_KGL/fbp0ps/alma99122886745105763
M3 - Ph.D. thesis
BT - Ecological Resilience of Small Urban Parks
PB - Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen
ER -
