Urban Green Infrastructure Connectivity: The Role of Private Semi-Natural Areas

Raihan Jamil, Jason P. Julian (), Jennifer L. R. Jensen and Kimberly M. Meitzen
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Raihan Jamil: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA
Jason P. Julian: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA
Jennifer L. R. Jensen: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA
Kimberly M. Meitzen: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-25

Abstract: Green spaces and blue spaces in cities provide a wealth of benefits to the urban social–ecological system. Unfortunately, urban development fragments natural habitats, reducing connectivity and biodiversity. Urban green–blue infrastructure (UGI) networks can mitigate these effects by providing ecological corridors that enhance habitat connectivity. This study examined UGI connectivity for two indicator species in a rapidly developing city in the southern United States. We mapped and analyzed UGI at a high resolution (0.6 m) across the entire city, with a focus on semi-natural areas in private land and residential neighborhoods. Integrating graph theory and a gravity model, we assessed structural UGI networks and ranked them based on their ability to support functional connectivity. Most of the potential habitat corridors we mapped in this project traversed private lands, including 58% of the priority habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler and 69% of the priority habitat for the Rio Grande Wild Turkey. Riparian zones and other areas with dense tree cover were critical linkages in these habitat corridors. Our findings illustrate the important role that private semi-natural areas play in UGI, habitat connectivity, and essential ecosystem services.

Keywords: urban ecology; land conservation; graph theory; gravity model; ecosystem services; social–ecological systems; Golden-cheeked Warbler; Rio Grande Wild Turkey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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