BI3EUA2: Ecology of Urban Areas

Module code: BI3EUA2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Phil Baker , email: p.j.baker@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Chris Foster, email: c.w.foster@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

For the first time in history, humans are now an "urban species" as more than 50% of the global population now lives in towns and cities. This change in the distribution of humans away from a predominantly agricultural existence has been rapid, mostly occurring in the 200-250 years since the Industrial Revolution. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the construction of urban areas has been associated with significant negative impacts on global flora and fauna. Whilst some species are not able to survive in urban landscapes (urban avoiders) leading to their localised extirpation, others exploit them less successfully (urban exploiters) whilst some species actively thrive in these novel habitats (urban adapters), including a broad range of non-native / invasive species introduced deliberately or accidentally by humans. Such profound changes to the structure of ecological communities have important implications for key ecological processes within the urban landscape, but also represent the day-to-day pattern of interaction with nature for millions of people with potential implications for human physical and mental health, human-wildlife conflicts and for shaping attitudes to, for example, global wildlife conservation. 

This module will provide you with a detailed knowledge of: (i) the global concept of urban areas and how these have, and continue, to change over time in different parts of the world; (ii) how the physical and ecological characteristics of urban areas, along with the behaviour of human residents, affect the behaviour, density and reproductive output of different taxonomic groups both positively and negatively; (iii) how wildlife can provide a range of important social, cultural and other ecosystem services in urban landscapes but might also be associated with conflicts with human residents (“ecosystem disservices”) which may need to be managed; and (iv) how urban areas could potentially be managed sympathetically as an important conservation resource for some species. This module will also examine issues relating to the ecology of roads and the impacts of the urban environment on human health and how both nature-based and technological-based approaches could be used to create significant benefits for individuals and society. Examples discussed will focus on a broad range of different taxonomic groups / species (including mammalian carnivores, companion cats and dogs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and plants) from around the globe. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Critically discuss and compare the historic, current and future growth of urban areas in different regions and how differences can affect research studies  
2. Critically evaluate how ecological factors, species-specific traits and anthropogenic activities affect abundance, population dynamics, reproductive output and behaviour of urban species and communities 
3. Critically evaluate how different factors affect interactions between human residents and wildlife and nature and the existing management options. 
4. Search for, summarise and effectively communicate scientific literature to different audiences in addition to preparing a grant application for a hypothetical field experiment with associated budget and timetable. 

Module content

Lecture material includes the following topics: 

• Introduction to Urban Ecology </