A fine-scale assessment of the ecosystem service-disservice dichotomy in the context of urban ecosystems affected by alien plant invasions
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SpringerOpen (part of Springer Nature)
Abstract
Background: Natural resources within and around urban landscapes are under increasing pressure from ongoing
urbanisation, and management efforts aimed at ensuring the sustainable provision of ecosystem services (ES) are an
important response. Given the limited resources available for assessing urban ES in many cities, practical approaches
for integrating ES in decision-making process are needed.
Methods: We apply remote sensing techniques (integrating LiDAR data with high-resolution multispectral imagery)
and combined these with supplementary spatial data to develop a replicable approach for assessing the role of
urban vegetation (including invasive alien plants) in providing ES and ecosystem disservices (EDS). We identify areas
denoting potential management trade-offs based on the spatial distribution of ES and EDS using a local-scale case
study in the city of Cape Town, South Africa. Situated within a global biodiversity hotspot, Cape Town must
contend with widespread invasions of alien plants (especially trees and shrubs) along with complex socio-political
challenges. This represents a useful system to examine the challenges in managing ES and EDS in the context of
urban plant invasions.
Results: Areas of high ES provision (for example carbon sequestration, shade and visual amenity) are characterized
by the presence of large trees. However, many of these areas also result in numerous EDS due to invasions of alien
trees and shrubs – particularly along rivers, in wetlands and along the urban edge where tall alien trees have
established and spread into the natural vegetation (for example increased water consumption, increased fire risk
and reduced soil quality). This suggests significant trade-offs regarding the management of species and the ES and
EDS they provide.
Conclusions: The approach applied here can be used to provide recommendations and to guide city planners and
managers to fine-tune management interventions at local scales to maximise the provision of ES.
Description
CITATION: Potgieter, L. J., et al. 2018. A fine-scale assessment of the ecosystem service-disservice dichotomy in the context of urban ecosystems affected by alien plant invasions. Forest Ecosystems, 6:46, doi:10.1186/s40663-019-0200-4.
The original publication is available at https://link.springer.com
The original publication is available at https://link.springer.com
Keywords
Biological invasions, Urban ecology (Biology), Ecosystem services -- Management, Urban vegetation -- Mapping
Citation
Potgieter, L. J., et al. 2018. A fine-scale assessment of the ecosystem service-disservice dichotomy in the context of urban ecosystems affected by alien plant invasions. Forest Ecosystems, 6:46, doi:10.1186/s40663-019-0200-4