A presentation of key findings and insights from over two decades
of research, education, and community engagement in the acclaimed
Baltimore Ecosystem Study
In a world of more than seven billion people—who mostly reside in
cities and towns—the Baltimore Ecosystem Study is recognized as a
pioneer in modern urban social-ecological science. After two decades
of research, education, and community engagement, there are insights
to share, generalizations to examine, and research needs to
highlight. This timely volume synthesizes the key findings, melds the
perspectives of different disciplines, and celebrates the benefits of
interacting with diverse communities and institutions in improving
Baltimore’s ecology. These widely applicable insights from
Baltimore contribute to our understanding the ecology of other
cities, provide a comparison for the global process of urbanization,
and inform establishment of urban ecological research elsewhere.
Comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and highly original, it gives voice
to the wide array of specialists who have contributed to this living
urban laboratory.
Steward Pickett is
distinguished senior scientist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies,
and director emeritus, Baltimore Ecosystem Study. Mary Cadenasso is
professor of landscape and urban ecology, University of California,
Davis. J. Morgan Grove is a social scientist with the USDA Forest
Service. Elena Irwin is professor of environmental economics, Ohio
State University. Emma Rosi is senior scientist, Cary Institute of
Ecosystem Studies, and director, Baltimore Ecosystem Study.
Christopher M. Swan is professor of ecology, University of Maryland,
Baltimore County.