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Presented by Shannon Slivinske

Presented by Shannon Slivinske. Private Urban Greenspaces or “Patios” as a Key Element in the Urban Ecology of Tropical Central America. The urban ecology of patio-gardens are valuable in connecting the environment with urban green space and quality of life. Increasing interest factors:

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Presented by Shannon Slivinske

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  1. Presented by Shannon Slivinske Private Urban Greenspaces or “Patios” as a Key Element in the Urban Ecology of Tropical Central America

  2. The urban ecology of patio-gardens are valuable in connecting the environment with urban green space and quality of life. • Increasing interest factors: • climate change • exotics/invasives • habitat/wildlife conservation • sustainability

  3. Leon, West Nicaragua Founded 1610 Adjacent to indigenous Sutiaba settlement Altitude 109 m Dry tropical climate 1385 mm annual rain, peak between May & Oct. 27°C, varying +/- 3° yearly Study Area

  4. Common tree and bush sp. of degraded area: Pithecellobium dulce Gliricidia sepium Byrsonima crassifolia Crescentia alata Indigenous sp. Found in Patios • Common forest sp.: • Bursera simaruba, • Calycophyllum candidissimum • Ceiba pentrandra.

  5. Patios are a Basic Element of Leon Dwellings

  6. Additional implications: - Ecological functioning and resource provisions - Reservoir for native species/resource patch/corridor - Microclimate/climate control for inner-city dwellings Hypothesis • 1. urban plant diversity reflects cultural and historical processes • 2. urban plant diversity independent of historical dynamics, depends on individual

  7. Methods and Data • 53 houses in July-Sept. '01 • 30 houses in July-Sept. '02 • Total houses: 83 • Total patios: 96 • Patio vegetation floristic/structural composition • Patio structure and management • Categorized by plant species, diversity and rarity indicies

  8. Results • 293 spp. • Mean richness: 26.21 • Standard deviation: 19.77 • Half = < 6 patios • 80% tropical • 37.54% native • 57.67% exotic

  9. Composition, Diversity and Structure • Colonial and transitional- greatest sp./area, little spontaneous • Indigenous- greatest sp. richness, spontaneous (or self-seeded) and rare • Recent- greatest diversity but lowest richness and sp./area, high spontaneity

  10. Common Species

  11. Species Mean and Percentage • No significant difference in plant cover except: • Colonials having no understory trees (5-15m) • Indigenous having majority of canopy trees (15m+) • and more than half of their overall species are woody

  12. Colonial- Center of historical district Corridors (microclimate and air circulation) Transitional- Colonial in poorer state Peripheral to historical Human Management Variables • Indigenous- • Neighboring village • Lowest architectural complexity • Highest garden-patio area Recent- • City outskirts • Low economic power • Cheap, small housing

  13. Main Uses

  14. Linear Elements

  15. -Preserved original structure and floristic composition variably -Ecological/ethnobotanical diversity -Complex agroforestry, dry tropical forest Closest: Ornamentals, herbaceous, spices, medicinals, small bushes/palms (irrigated) Farther: Fruit trees & interplanted timber trees Farthest: Spontaneous Indigenous Patio-Gardens

  16. Indigenous patios-- sustainable agroforestry systems: 60 sp. rich- substantial diversity soil conservation (erosion, fertility) microclimate endogenous inputs provides alternative or extra income water conscious PAR interception socialization health benefits Conclusion • Colonial patios-- historical and ecological: • Architectural • microclimate • outstanding mature tree specimens • frequent uncommon species • 40 sp. Rich (higher diversity)

  17. Patios in urban environments are of ecological importance both to humans and surrounding environment and in enhancing quality of life with personal green space.

  18. Molles, Manuel C. Jr., 2008. Species Diversity. Ecology: Concepts and Applications 4th ed., 373-374. Torquebiau, Emmanuel, 1992. Are Tropical Agroforestry Home Gardens Sustainable? Agric. Ecosystems Environ., 41 : 189-207. Fernandes, E. C. M. and P. K. R. Nair, 1986. An Evaluation of the Structure and Function of Tropical Homegardens. Agric. Systems, 21: 279-310. Works Cited

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