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Urban Green Infrastructure Connectivity: The Role of Private Semi-Natural Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Raihan Jamil

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA)

  • Jason P. Julian

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA)

  • Jennifer L. R. Jensen

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA)

  • Kimberly M. Meitzen

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666-4684, USA)

Abstract

Green spaces and blue spaces in cities provide a wealth of benefits to the urban social–ecological system. Unfortunately, urban development fragments natural habitats, reducing connectivity and biodiversity. Urban green–blue infrastructure (UGI) networks can mitigate these effects by providing ecological corridors that enhance habitat connectivity. This study examined UGI connectivity for two indicator species in a rapidly developing city in the southern United States. We mapped and analyzed UGI at a high resolution (0.6 m) across the entire city, with a focus on semi-natural areas in private land and residential neighborhoods. Integrating graph theory and a gravity model, we assessed structural UGI networks and ranked them based on their ability to support functional connectivity. Most of the potential habitat corridors we mapped in this project traversed private lands, including 58% of the priority habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler and 69% of the priority habitat for the Rio Grande Wild Turkey. Riparian zones and other areas with dense tree cover were critical linkages in these habitat corridors. Our findings illustrate the important role that private semi-natural areas play in UGI, habitat connectivity, and essential ecosystem services.

Suggested Citation

  • Raihan Jamil & Jason P. Julian & Jennifer L. R. Jensen & Kimberly M. Meitzen, 2024. "Urban Green Infrastructure Connectivity: The Role of Private Semi-Natural Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-25, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:8:p:1213-:d:1450978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Viniece Jennings & April Karen Baptiste & Na’Taki Osborne Jelks & Renée Skeete, 2017. "Urban Green Space and the Pursuit of Health Equity in Parts of the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Drielsma, Michael & Ferrier, Simon & Manion, Glenn, 2007. "A raster-based technique for analysing habitat configuration: The cost–benefit approach," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 202(3), pages 324-332.
    3. Tun Lin & Timo Goeschl, 2004. "Biodiversity Conservation on Private Lands: Information Problems and Regulatory Choices," Working Papers 2004.55, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    4. Bodin, Örjan & Saura, Santiago, 2010. "Ranking individual habitat patches as connectivity providers: Integrating network analysis and patch removal experiments," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(19), pages 2393-2405.
    5. Viniece Jennings & Omoshalewa Bamkole, 2019. "The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space: An Avenue for Health Promotion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, February.
    6. Christina W. Lopez & Madeline T. Wade & Jason P. Julian, 2023. "Nature–Human Relational Models in a Riverine Social–Ecological System: San Marcos River, TX, USA," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-49, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raihan Jamil & Jason P. Julian & Meredith K. Steele, 2025. "Vegetation Structure and Distribution Across Scales in a Large Metropolitan Area: Case Study of Austin MSA, Texas, USA," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-22, March.

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