Applied urban ecology for sustainable urban environment

Urban ecology is recognized as a well-established science but may need a consolidated theory (Niemela 1999). The classical urban ecological studies are predominantly focused on the bio-physical research of the urban environment and lack addressing its social context and applicability in planning, design and management (Grimm and Redman 2004; Breuste and Qureshi 2011). However, the recent developments in applied urban ecology demonstrate multidisciplinary approaches and application rapidly improving the theoretical foundations of this science (Young 2009; Qureshi et al. 2010). Urban ecosystems still need improved Urban Ecosyst (2013) 16:675–680 DOI 10.1007/s11252-013-0337-9