greenbelt ecosystem
Greenbelts
As with many cities in the US and Internationally, Seattle has areas of forested wilderness running through urban and residential neighborhoods. My home in Seattle is adjacent to one of the greenbelts, so it quickly became the focus of my ecological investigations.
In Seattle, the greenbelts mostly lie on property owned and maintained by the city. Due to the “natural” character of these spaces, maintenance does not regularly occur. However, preservation activities are becoming more common in many Seattle greenbelts.
Urban planners see greenbelts as a healthy aspect of the urban/residential environment, although they are often located in areas not fit for development (often on a steep grade).
In terms of plant ecology, the forest landscape includes native and non-native plants, some invasive. The canopy is generally dominated by big-leaf maple and alder, which is likely re-growth following early logging activities. The understory exhibits the invasive tendencies of English ivy as well as Himalayan blackberry.
As for animals in the greenbelts, aside from hundreds of insect and bird species (including birds of prey), one may find: rat, squirrel, possum, cat, raccoon, dog, coyote, deer, and human, to name a few.
Inhabitants
Aside from the wild animals, the people living (and working) inside the greenbelts contribute to a different sort of wilderness. It is not uncommon to find transient populations living in these wooded spaces, where they can stay, often undisturbed. Recent activity by the property owners in one upscale Seattle neighborhood (citing nuisance and lack of sanitation) has prompted the city to evict the residents in the greenbelt area nearby. Another green-space, nicknamed “the Jungle,” is notorious for drug trafficking as well as related illegal activities: prostitution, assault, and murder. Neighbors here are dealing with a more dangerous wilderness, and are proposing upgrades and bike paths to help cultivate a safer, more usable space for the public.
Greenbelt Ecosystem
The greenbelt ecosystem is an investigation of the natural cycles that occur in this place, which is simultaneously urban and natural. Human proximity is obvious in these spaces. Aside from the people living there, you will see lots of dumped trash as well as occupation debris (mattresses, bottles, etc.). But, here, the natural cycles adapt. The image below depicts dumped carpet, which is now host to moss.
The investigation of life cycles within the greenbelt takes on much more serious implications, when considering the creation and loss of human life. While I find the plant and animal ecology of this space to be inspiring, the complicated issues surrounding homelessness and helplessness sadden me. How should one consider “cultivation” and “pest” with regard to people?
As with many cities in the US and Internationally, Seattle has areas of forested wilderness running through urban and residential neighborhoods. My home in Seattle is adjacent to one of the greenbelts, so it quickly became the focus of my ecological investigations.
In Seattle, the greenbelts mostly lie on property owned and maintained by the city. Due to the “natural” character of these spaces, maintenance does not regularly occur. However, preservation activities are becoming more common in many Seattle greenbelts.
Urban planners see greenbelts as a healthy aspect of the urban/residential environment, although they are often located in areas not fit for development (often on a steep grade).
In terms of plant ecology, the forest landscape includes native and non-native plants, some invasive. The canopy is generally dominated by big-leaf maple and alder, which is likely re-growth following early logging activities. The understory exhibits the invasive tendencies of English ivy as well as Himalayan blackberry.
As for animals in the greenbelts, aside from hundreds of insect and bird species (including birds of prey), one may find: rat, squirrel, possum, cat, raccoon, dog, coyote, deer, and human, to name a few.
Inhabitants
Aside from the wild animals, the people living (and working) inside the greenbelts contribute to a different sort of wilderness. It is not uncommon to find transient populations living in these wooded spaces, where they can stay, often undisturbed. Recent activity by the property owners in one upscale Seattle neighborhood (citing nuisance and lack of sanitation) has prompted the city to evict the residents in the greenbelt area nearby. Another green-space, nicknamed “the Jungle,” is notorious for drug trafficking as well as related illegal activities: prostitution, assault, and murder. Neighbors here are dealing with a more dangerous wilderness, and are proposing upgrades and bike paths to help cultivate a safer, more usable space for the public.
Greenbelt Ecosystem
The greenbelt ecosystem is an investigation of the natural cycles that occur in this place, which is simultaneously urban and natural. Human proximity is obvious in these spaces. Aside from the people living there, you will see lots of dumped trash as well as occupation debris (mattresses, bottles, etc.). But, here, the natural cycles adapt. The image below depicts dumped carpet, which is now host to moss.
The investigation of life cycles within the greenbelt takes on much more serious implications, when considering the creation and loss of human life. While I find the plant and animal ecology of this space to be inspiring, the complicated issues surrounding homelessness and helplessness sadden me. How should one consider “cultivation” and “pest” with regard to people?
