Nature in Towns and Cities

The latest in the New Naturalist series documents the parks and green spaces unique to Britain's cities – and the wildlife that has flourished in these habitats.

Not since Richard Fitter’s landmark publication in 1945, ‘London’s Natural History’ – volume 3 in the New Naturalist series – has there been a comprehensive guide to urban natural history. Since then there have been major advances in the conservation of nature in our towns and cities, and there is even more to say about how animals and plants have adapted, in varying degrees, to urbanisation.

But this is not merely an exploration of natural history within the urban environment – David Goode uses his knowledge of urban ecology to describe the range of habitats and species which exist within urban areas, and shows how our understanding is being applied to encourage a greater variety of nature into towns and cities. He illustrates how an ecological approach can be incorporated within planning and design to create a range of habitats from tiny oases to extensive new urban woodland and wetlands.

Reviews

‘Probably the finest work on urban ecology ever written’ Guardian

‘A wealth of habitats and species highlighted … David Goode has done an excellent job.’ Bird Watching

‘Goode paints a picture of the extraordinary amount of wildlife in our towns and cities and shows that new colonisations are going on all the time.’ Charles Clover, The Sunday Times

‘[…] a masterly and detailed account of the development of urban conservation from its earliest origins in the nineteenth century writings of Richard Jefferies and W. H. Hudson to the latest ideas on “green roofs”.’ www.rarebirdalert.co.uk

‘This is a huge contribution to natural history writing. Above all the book is written with knowledge, passion and humour […] this is natural history writing at its best’ Urban Environments Journal

About the author

Professor David Goode has enormous experience of urban natural history and before his retirement worked as the Director of the London Ecology Unit. He has written numerous academic papers and a book called Wild in London. He lives in Bath.