Novel Ecosystems in the Urban-Industrial Landscape–Interesting Aspects of Environmental Knowledge Requiring Broadening: A Review

Damian Chmura, Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Agnieszka Hutniczak, Artur Dyczko and Gabriela Woźniak ()
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Damian Chmura: Institute of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Faculty of Materials, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bielsko-Biala, 2 Willowa Str., 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Andrzej M. Jagodziński: Department of Ecology, Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Parkowa Str., 62-035 Kórnik, Poland
Agnieszka Hutniczak: Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 28 Jagiellońska Str., 40-032 Katowice, Poland
Artur Dyczko: Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 7A J. Wybickiego Str., 31-261 Kraków, Poland
Gabriela Woźniak: Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 28 Jagiellońska Str., 40-032 Katowice, Poland

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-16

Abstract: Human activity is affecting and transforming the natural environment, changing the ecosystem mosaic and natural biogeochemical processes in urban-industrial landscapes. Among the anthropogenic ecosystems, there are many present features of Novel Ecosystems (NE), e.g., the de novo created habitats on post-mineral excavation sites. The biological nature of the functional mechanisms of Novel Ecosystems is mostly unknown. In natural and semi-natural ecosystems, biodiversity is considered as the primary element influencing ecosystem processes and functioning. The preliminary studies conducted on post-mineral excavation sites have shown that, in poor oligotrophic habitats, the species composition of the assembled vascular plants is non-analogous, distinctive, and not found in natural and semi-natural habitats. This paper aims to present the gaps between scientific identification of the biological mechanisms driving ecosystem processes and functioning (including the expanding areas of Novel Ecosystems created de novo). Among the identified gaps, the following issues should be listed. The detailed identification and understanding of the processes and biodiversity-dependent functioning of Novel Ecosystems is crucial for proper environmental management, particularly when facing the challenges of ecological constraints and of global change. The ecology of Novel Ecosystems is a social and economic issue because of the relationships with densely populated urban-industrial areas.

Keywords: restoration ecology; ecosystem processes and functioning; disturbed habitats; post-mineral excavation sites; human-transformed landscape; Anthropocene Epoch (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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