The Environment in the City 133
a gradual adaptation of many other species of wildlife can be seen, which
begin to frequent or establish themselves in cities. In general, this phenomenon is observed much more with animals than with plants, since vegetation
in the city is to a larger extent human controlled, whereas certain animals
manage to survive even when persecuted, thanks to their ability to exploit
the sites and products of human activities.
The phenomenon of the presence of wildlife in cities has been known for a
long time, although it manifests itself in different ways in different historical
periods and different geographical entities. The close ties between primitive
civilisations and the world of nature allowed many wild animals to live in
ancient towns, especially the smaller ones. Pictures and other historical data
inform us of the extent of the phenomenon in ancient Egypt, India, China, etc.
Many species of wild animals, such as monkeys, are even today plentiful in
cities of South and East Asia, are often regarded as sacred and are associated
with religion. Cobras often abound even in the heart of densely populated
urban areas in tropical Asia. Many cities in Africa even today host wild birds
and other animal species. In Europe, the phenomenon has been known for a
long time. Medieval cities, for example, were home to many species of birds
and mammals, and the use of domestic animals such as horses attracted a
myriad of insects and parasites. In medieval London, kites (large buzzard-like
birds of prey) and crows were common and were in fact protected by law.
Many species of wild flora and fauna benefited from the creation of natural
parks within cities. Nowadays urban parks are among the richest sites in the
world for wildlife. It is even possible that in the future city gardens and parks
will play a vital role in saving many plants that are in danger of extinction.
One proof of the great potential for wildlife to develop within cities was
the study of urban areas where human activities had been restricted for
some reason. Classic examples were the areas of London, Warsaw and
other cities that were bombed during World War II and were very quickly
taken over by a wide variety of plants and small animals. However, the
rapid expansion of a city and the rapid change in the environment that it
brings about, e.g. intensive rebuilding, are factors that make it difficult for
wildlife to adapt, and drive it away. Thus, at least in the cities of the developed world, the most and the biggest animals become established where the
environment is stable and favourable, e.g. in small, old houses with gardens.
In recent years an increased tendency for carnivorous animals and raptors
to take up residence in many European, North American and Australian
cities has been observed. One characteristic case is that of the fox, which
had become established in some suburbs of London by 1950 and spread,
mainly in the 1970s, to more than 150 cities in Great Britain. Nowadays
foxes have been observed in many other cities, such as Paris, Amsterdam
and Copenhagen. No mere visitors to the city, these animals are permanent
residents who are born, reproduce, and develop social organisations there.
Similar is the presence of coyotes (Canis latrans) in US cities, and also wild
a gradual adaptation of many other species of wildlife can be seen, which
begin to frequent or establish themselves in cities. In general, this phenomenon is observed much more with animals than with plants, since vegetation
in the city is to a larger extent human controlled, whereas certain animals
manage to survive even when persecuted, thanks to their ability to exploit
the sites and products of human activities.
The phenomenon of the presence of wildlife in cities has been known for a
long time, although it manifests itself in different ways in different historical
periods and different geographical entities. The close ties between primitive
civilisations and the world of nature allowed many wild animals to live in
ancient towns, especially the smaller ones. Pictures and other historical data
inform us of the extent of the phenomenon in ancient Egypt, India, China, etc.
Many species of wild animals, such as monkeys, are even today plentiful in
cities of South and East Asia, are often regarded as sacred and are associated
with religion. Cobras often abound even in the heart of densely populated
urban areas in tropical Asia. Many cities in Africa even today host wild birds
and other animal species. In Europe, the phenomenon has been known for a
long time. Medieval cities, for example, were home to many species of birds
and mammals, and the use of domestic animals such as horses attracted a
myriad of insects and parasites. In medieval London, kites (large buzzard-like
birds of prey) and crows were common and were in fact protected by law.
Many species of wild flora and fauna benefited from the creation of natural
parks within cities. Nowadays urban parks are among the richest sites in the
world for wildlife. It is even possible that in the future city gardens and parks
will play a vital role in saving many plants that are in danger of extinction.
One proof of the great potential for wildlife to develop within cities was
the study of urban areas where human activities had been restricted for
some reason. Classic examples were the areas of London, Warsaw and
other cities that were bombed during World War II and were very quickly
taken over by a wide variety of plants and small animals. However, the
rapid expansion of a city and the rapid change in the environment that it
brings about, e.g. intensive rebuilding, are factors that make it difficult for
wildlife to adapt, and drive it away. Thus, at least in the cities of the developed world, the most and the biggest animals become established where the
environment is stable and favourable, e.g. in small, old houses with gardens.
In recent years an increased tendency for carnivorous animals and raptors
to take up residence in many European, North American and Australian
cities has been observed. One characteristic case is that of the fox, which
had become established in some suburbs of London by 1950 and spread,
mainly in the 1970s, to more than 150 cities in Great Britain. Nowadays
foxes have been observed in many other cities, such as Paris, Amsterdam
and Copenhagen. No mere visitors to the city, these animals are permanent
residents who are born, reproduce, and develop social organisations there.
Similar is the presence of coyotes (Canis latrans) in US cities, and also wild