February 6, 2017
Ohio State entomologist seminar 'Value of vacant urban space for conservation and ecosystem services'
Mary Gardiner, from the entomology department at Ohio State University, will present the seminar "Quantifying the Value of Urban Vacant Land for Conservation and Ecosystem Services" at 4 p.m. Feb. 7 in 231 Waters Hall. Light refreshments will be served before the seminar.
Gardiner's research has focused on the ecology and management of urban and agricultural habitats. She is particularly interested in how ecosystem composition or design, management and landscape context influence relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem function and ecosystem services. She was awarded a large grant to evaluate how vacant lots can be used to bolster biodiversity in urban areas, particularly with respect to pollinators. Her research is of potential value for recovery of degraded urban spaces into ecologically functional green spaces.