Urban post-industrial landscapes have unrealized ecological potential

Urbanized and post-industrial sites often host considerable biodiversity but are too frequently dismissed by conservation professionals, in part because current species assemblages differ from the site's natural history. Given the dramatic and often irreversible changes to these sites, we conclude that historic ecosystems do not provide a useful reference for restoration. However, seen through a novel ecosystem lens, these landscapes already have conservation value and thus require nuanced restoration planning that recognizes their current and potential community composition. We highlight slag-dominated sites in the brownfields of the Calumet region as an example of a post-industrial landscape that may serve both as a recreational area for humans and a refuge for native biodiversity.

Automated summary

Urbanized and post-industrial sites often have significant biodiversity, but are often overlooked by conservation professionals. Traditional restoration methods based on historic ecosystems are not suitable for these sites, but instead require nuanced planning that considers the current and potential community composition.