Ekologiseminarium

Urban habitats and landscapes are markedly different from non-urban “natural” habitats. One key difference is the higher levels of air pollution in cities. Air pollution is a major threat to health for all living organisms – from plants to humans.

There are many different types of air pollutants but particle matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and tropospheric ozone are the pollutants of greatest concern in urban areas. Most of these air pollutants come either directly or indirectly from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, hence directly linked to traffic-load.

Up to date, most knowledge stems from research on humans and laboratory rodents. However, birds and bumble bees that are common residents in urban environments possess completely different respiratory systems to mammals, hence studies of these taxonomic groups are of great ecological importance. Using both experimental and descriptive approaches of wild birds and bumble bees, I will summarize our findings about the impacts of air pollution on these animal groups.

Welcome!