Drs. Zaya Lips
Terrestrial Ecology Unit
Department of Biology
Ghent University
K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35
9000 Gent Belgium
E-mail: Zaya.Lips@UGent.be
City corridors: designing and testing urban connectivity for nature
Unsustainable urban development has led to air pollution, climate vulnerability, and is threatening biodiversity worldwide. One proven solution to combat these problems is the addition of blue-green infrastructure (BGI) to cities. Although BGI is already widely implemented, there is a lack of robust measurement and monitoring frameworks to ensure effective design and implementation. This is where LivableCities, an Interreg-funded project, comes in. The aim of this project is to improve current BGI planning, primarily by increasing connectivity between BGI elements and incorporating BGI into challenging urban spaces.
For my research I will focus on the biodiversity aspect of the project. First, I will study the current biodiversity within BGI elements and analyze how this relates to the connectivity between these elements. I will also examine the effect of plant species composition on biodiversity, specifically focusing on the role of native versus non-native plant species. This will help to identify species that are currently absent from certain BGI elements, but could potentially occur through improved planting strategies.
The second part of my research will involve studying BGI on a larger scale, at city level. The goal is to assess how city-wide BGI connectivity influences urban biodiversity. For this purpose, I will use an individual-based model (IBM). I will develop this IBM to simulate realistic species movement across the urban landscape. This model will enable me to generate predictions and, most importantly, provide concrete recommendations on how BGI can be designed more effectively to enhance biodiversity. For example, the model will help identify favorable locations for future corridors. The results from the first part of my research in addition to those of the IBM will strengthen future BGI planning.