The "Blue" Habitat of Urban & Suburban Areas and approaches for its biodiversity research: A scoping review.

Abstract

This article explores recent research initially driven by interest in studying the "Blue" Habitat of Urban and Suburban Areas (BHUS), focusing on water-related ecosystems. BHUS, encompassing a wide range of aquatic habitats, is crucial to ecosystem health but is increasingly threatened by biodiversity loss resulting from climate change, land-use expansion, and unsustainable practices. Through a scoping review of 93 peer-reviewed studies, this article establishes a framework to classify BHUS types, identify target species, and analyze diverse and latest techniques in water system research. The main themes for studying biodiversity and environmental aspects of these blue habitats are highlighted, along with the urgent need to address BHUS in urban biodiversity conservation. Findings reveal that water systems are biologically rich but present unique research challenges due to their variability and dynamic, interconnected nature. While there is growing recognition of the need to consider human influence, many studies overlook the complex, adaptive nature of BHUS as an integrated system. The article gives insight into establishing a comprehensive framework and integrating diverse methodologies and technologies for specialized research of the BHUS biodiversity, emphasizing the role of advancing technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration between urbanism and ecology. These approaches are essential to support sustainable development that addresses conservation needs and mitigates urbanization's impacts on BHUS. Further research should explore how spatial planning and strategies can more effectively integrate blue habitats to strengthen biodiversity conservation within the global urbanization context.