By Alejandro Angulo
A main concern for the conservation of urban biodiversity, particularly in municipalities such as Querétaro, is the certification of Biodiversity Fragments, in accordance with the protocol of the Polytechnic University of Santa Rosa Jáuregui. In order to extend a Green Seal, they take into account the presence of native species and their diversity.
Biodiversity Fragments refers to certain portions of the landscape that vary in size and shape, type and heterogeneity. It can include biotic or abiotic communities, and it may contain anthropic—that is, related to human beings—characteristics. These are characterized by their origin, whether natural or anthropic, and related to environmental conditions.
Regarding the ecological value of fragments, the following can be noted:
● Recolonization of species
● Contributes to the heterogeneity by reducing certain flows, like erosion and runoff, and helps in the removal of atmospheric pollutants
● Habitat for species restricted to small patches
● Protection of habitats of small species
The urban biodiversity fragments fulfill more than one function, and depend on more than one factor. For example, the biodiversity of a busy median strip is not be the same as a corner or a linear garden. Several environmental functions of urban biodiversity fragments ought to be taken into account. Examples are the capture of carbon dioxide, the removal of atmospheric pollutants, or providing an environment for the nesting and perching of urban birds.
Establishment of an urban biodiversity fragment is done through regional sustainability, such as:
● Selecting local species, low water requirements, tolerance to pests and diseases, adaptation to local climate;
● Considering climatic indices, such as temperature and rainfall for the region and metropolitan areas of the state;
● Selecting species with greater capacity and rate of carbon dioxide capture;
● Avoiding selection of invasive plant species or ones that represent a danger to the health of citizens or wildlife, and acting prudently in the use of exotic, toxic, or allergenic plants;
● Integrating plant species according to functionality of architectural spaces and their landscape design, and encouraging adoption of public spaces by citizens, industry, or service sectors.
A Biodiversity Fragment is an urban “patch,” a piece of a mosaic. These patches are part of the landscape structure. There are dynamic fragments, and they are a part of the whole. There are events or agents that cause a patch, but something more relevant is the turnover of species through weather. In conclusion, we can say that the urban fragments or patches that we mostly find in the city are small, produced or generated by the action of people. However, there are still remnants of natural patches.
What one observes in a city are patches produced by the urban and transport infrastructure, or by residential, commercial, and industrial developments. A month ago, there was a reform of the State Environmental Code, and the concept of Biodiversity Fragment was proposed by the Institute of Ecology and Climate Change. It is to be regulated and conceptualized within a legal framework as Fragments of Conservation of Urban Biodiversity.
If we succeed in installing and conserving fragments of biodiversity in each small space, whether public or private, we will be advancing its conservation. We will also increase the services within the ecosystem: the capture of carbon dioxide, removal of pollutants, water infiltration, thermoregulation, cultural value, cultivation of medicinal plants, agrobiodiversity, improvement of habitats for small species, including pollinators, shade, acoustic mitigation barriers to reduce noise from the city, natural landscape, relaxation of stress, and protection of ecological interactions. The installation of the fragments of biodiversity reduces the decline of biodiversity.
Based on the above, there are certain floral species to be incorporated into urban open spaces. These will consider the following ecosystem services:
● Providing water, oxygen, food, energy, and shade
● Impacting climate, water purification, and air pollutants, maintaining pollinators, and reducing diseases
● Providing social welfare, such as recreation, tourism, appropriation and identification of spaces, education, inspiration, and ethics, among others.
Bringing in green spaces into cities increases the value of architectural and urban works. This is especially so when trees are introduced, because it converts green areas into spaces that promote social cohesion, reduction of violence, and education about management of natural resources that affect the quality of life.
There needs to be social co-responsibility in establishing and maintaining the urban biodiversity fragments. These are points to be considered:
● Co-responsibility in the management of green areas, including maintenance managers to achieve the survival of the selected plant species, with the support of citizens in case the plants need to be replaced.
● Adoption of a vision of the future. Incorporating local and wild plant species that complement activities related to environmental education for citizens. The promotion of rescue and conservation of local biodiversity—flora and fauna, and improvement in the quality of life. There should also be actions that favor reduction of pollutants, and allergens in the air.
