NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

The U.S. Population has grown increasingly urban each decade, from 28% in 1910 to 80% in 2000 (US Census Bureau, Demographic Trends in the 20th Century). Currently, the majority of us live and/or work in cities and towns that are part of complex urban ecosystems. Like other ecosystems, urban ecosystems are communities of organisms and environmental features functioning as ecological units.

The natural resources of urban ecosystems have a multitude of social, environmental, and economic values and benefits such as: providing habitat for plants and animals that could otherwise be absent from urban areas; increasing aesthetic appeal, which can boost property value and improve personal contentment; improving air and water quality; reducing noise and lowering energy consumption for heating and cooling; and providing open space for outdoor recreation.


ENVIROTHON Students will be able to:

Identify numerous factors impacting the health and function of these urban ecosystems,
which in turn result in social, environmental, and economic issues and problems

Gain awareness of the social, environmental, and economic values and benefits of urban
natural resources

Investigate the issues surrounding the utilization, management, and protection of these
resources

Develop an understanding of how properly managed urban natural resources can provide an
attractive and healthy green infrastructure for our communities.
Go to Urban Environment Practice Exercise and Sample Questions






©2004 Delaware ENVIROTHON