This study, “Reconciling cities with nature: Identifying local Blue-Green Infrastructure interventions for regional biodiversity enhancement,” was written by Donati et al. and published on August 15th, 2022. It seeks to answer the question of how we can better support regional biodiversity enhancement in cities through local Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) interventions. To address this, the researchers focused on how amphibian species are affected by urbanization, using the Swiss lowlands as a case study. Amphibians were chosen because they are particularly sensitive to environmental conditions compared to most other animal groups and because they depend on both terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

The researchers approached this question using habitat suitability models, high-resolution land cover data, and circuit theory models to assess biodiversity patterns in both urban and non-urban areas. In identifying the key habitat features that best support regional biodiversity enhancement, they found that stepping-stone areas allowing amphibians to move between habitats were the most important. The study highlighted features such as forest edges, wet forests, moist soils, and riparian habitats. From this, the researchers concluded that up to 15% of urban spaces could contribute to regional ecological connectivity if strategically planned and intentionally managed. Overall, the study shows that cities, if designed with biodiversity in mind, have the potential to significantly enhance ecological connectivity and support regional biodiversity.

This study is well-written and highly credible, being peer-reviewed and supported by a substantial amount of evidence. It does an excellent job of presenting its research, providing clear justification for its methodology, reasoning, and results. The focus on amphibians is particularly strong, as the authors clearly explain why this group was chosen and how it effectively demonstrates the value of biodiversity in urban contexts.

However, the study struggles somewhat with connecting its findings explicitly to the concept of BGI. BGI is often understood as engineered infrastructure—such as green roofs or rain gardens—designed to improve environmental outcomes in human-made spaces. In this study, however, BGI is framed more broadly, referring to the modification of human-used landscapes to support natural habitats and species. While this is a valid interpretation, the distinction could have been made clearer. Another limitation is the narrow applicability of the findings. Although amphibians are highly sensitive to anthropogenic impacts, results derived from their responses cannot be easily generalized to other species, such as birds or small mammals. This limits the study’s broader ecological relevance.

I personally found this study extremely interesting and eye-opening, particularly in its approach to using natural habitat features as a form of Blue-Green Infrastructure—an area of habitat management I had not previously considered. While this type of infrastructure was new to me, the results confirmed some of my assumptions about regional biodiversity enhancement in cities and also provided surprising insights. I was impressed by the depth of evidence presented, including the various mapping strategies that show cities can increase amphibian connectivity by up to 15% if key habitat features are intentionally incorporated. From this study, I have gained not only a better understanding of BGI but also an appreciation for the optimistic potential cities have to enhance biodiversity when environmental considerations are prioritized in infrastructure planning.

Overall, I found this study to be compelling and thought-provoking, proposing important ideas supported by strong data. While the study is well-executed in terms of methodology and reasoning, it does have some limitations. For instance, certain conceptual elements could have been expanded to make the findings more broadly applicable to other species and urban contexts.

The study effectively conveys its central message: cities can improve environmental conditions and support regional biodiversity if planners actively consider ecological factors in infrastructure design. Nevertheless, the work is far from exhaustive. Future research could explore how these interventions affect other species, such as birds or small mammals, and investigate practical strategies for implementing BGI in existing urban areas. Additionally, examining how cities can retrofit current infrastructure to better support biodiversity would further enhance the study’s practical relevance.

Donati, G. F. A., Bolliger, J., Psomas, A., Maurer, M., & Bach, P. M. (2022). Reconciling cities with nature: Identifying local Blue-Green Infrastructure interventions for regional biodiversity enhancement. Journal of Environmental Management, 316, 115254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115254