Application of a greenspace model to Auckland City, New Zealand

Abstract

The urban forest, with a focus on percentage tree cover, can provide multiple ecosystem services. In comparison, one Greenspace Model for fragmented urban ecosystems suggests that indigenous biodiversity can be better accommodated by a network of nested forest patches across the landscape, with potentially 'a transformative effect on the local cultural sustainability'. This study attempts to apply this idealised model to the Auckland City Isthmus. Network patch intensities and gaps have been identified which appear to be associated with wealthy and deprived areas retrospectively. There is an opportunity for local body policy and local community action to integrate social, cultural and environmental goals to strengthen the ecological network, local ecosystem services and social cohesion.