In accordance to the urban ecology discipline, the overall focus of this research is to examine linkages between ecological and social processes in Baltimore City. The primary research objective is to examine how the spatial and temporal patterns of plant community structure in vacant lots and community gardens affect ecosystem services and socioeconomic processes in an urban watershed. Since the 1950’s, Baltimore City has undergone significant population loss. According to the U. S. Census Bureau data, Baltimore’s population plummeted nearly 12% between 1990 and 2000. As a result of population loss and disinvestment, vacant lots created by demolition of abandoned houses have become prevalent features of several neighborhoods. The highly heterogeneous landscape created by these socioeconomic changes offers unique opportunities to investigate corresponding changes reflecting patterns of vegetation management at the neighborhood level, namely managed community gardens and unmanaged vacant lots.
Results/Conclusions
A preliminary investigation has yielded data useful for developing a Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Results of this GIS show a pattern of high population loss and high numbers of persons in poverty radiating from central portions of the city. The next step in this investigation includes a vegetation survey of selected vacant lots and community gardens located within a 930 acre watershed. Two census tracts within the watershed will be examined and comparative analyses will investigate percentage change in population between 1990 and 2000.The objective for this survey is to determine if there are differences in the vegetation diversity of vacant lots and community gardens between these two tracts. Ultimately, application of a contemporary island biogeography framework will be used to determine if vegetation diversity of vacant lots and community gardens follows typical assumptions of equilibrium theory. Results of this study will be analyzed in conjunction with population change and socioeconomic conditions.
