Plants and Habitats of European Cities [Paperback]

A collection of studies on the ecologies of European cities, including Paris, Zurich, and Amsterdam among others. Discussion includes the natural and historical development of each city, local flora, the environmental impact of city growth, and environmental planning, design, and management.

Plants and habitats that make up the ecological systems of various European cities are the focus of this volume. The natural and historical development of each city is discussed, as well as local flora, environmental planning, design and management.

A collection of studies on the ecologies of European cities, including Paris, Zurich, and Amsterdam among others. Discussion includes the natural and historical development of each city, local flora, the environmental impact of city growth, and environmental planning, design, and management.

Foreword.- Preface.- Introduction.- City Accounts.- Epilogue.

Plants and Habitats of European Cities contains details of sixteen cities in the European peninsula from Almeria to St. Petersburg and from Sofia to London. The chapters start with a description of the natural features and history of the cities and then consider how urbanization has affected the environment (for example, pollution, the heat island effect and climatic changes). The recorded botanical history of the city is followed by an account of the flora, which is mainly concerned with flowering plants and ferns. Where there is sufficient information the chapters include summary descriptions of the algae, bryophytes, lichens and fungi. The plant communities and species composition of the major natural and semi-natural habitats are described and followed by accounts of the species found in more typical urban habitats. These include housing areas of different types and densities, industrial zones, unused and previously developed land, parks, cemeteries, allotments and similar habitats, transport routes (for example railway land and road verges) and vals.