The impact of Urbanization on biodiversity
Map of the least-cost paths for the broad leaf with green space larger than 300 m2 downtown Geneva © 2016 EPFL
In their first semester publication, the biannual "Les Cahiers de l'ASPAN" presents the results of the Urbangene project. The article is interested in the urban density impact on the local wildlife and the journalist has thus interviewed two scientists working for the LASIG, Stéphane Joost and Ivo Widmer. The project is about the impact of urbanization on biodiversity and allowed to identify key "connected area" substantial for the species survival. The urbanisation projects would then have to consider the preservation of these areas during their development. The scientists also used genetic information in order to assess the diversity within species. Genetic data make it possible to peoduce objective information as regards the current state of biodiversity.
Led by the Laboratory of Geographic Information Systems (LASIG) of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in collaboration with the Grand Genève and co-funded by the Gelbert foundation, Urbangene aims to estimate the effects of urbanization on biodiversity by using genetic information. In the Grand Genève area, three species were sampled: the Small White (butterfly), the Broadleaf and the Common frog. In parallel, the connectivity between the green spaces of the Grand Genève area was assessed to identify the most important go-between places to preserve.
The image illustrating this News shows green areas acting as relays in the urban environment. For instance along the Arve (n°1), or parks like the Bastions (n°2), the Observatory (n°3) or the Acacias (n°4). These green areas connect the urban center with the natural environment in periphery, whereas locations like number 5 represents a green space which might soon be isolated.
These models of potential dispersion paths developped during the Master project of Estelle Rochat are completed by the sequencing of sampled species. "The genetic analysis allows us to obtain objective information (quantitative measurements) of the diversity by revealing the hidden face of biodiversity" Ivo Widmer says.
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