City of Riverside Urban and Historical Ecology Case Study

The City of Riverside Urban and Historical Ecology Case Study aims to demonstrate the potential of using urban and historical ecology research to optimize habitat restoration. The study focuses on a segment of the Santa Ana River Parkway in and around the City of Riverside, where multiple habitat restoration projects are underway. To inform these projects, SFEI will map the ecosystems that existed in the area prior to large-scale development, identify and quantify the landscape changes that have occurred over the last century, and assess the modern landscape’s ability to support native biodiversity. We will synthesize findings from these analyses into recommendations for habitat restoration that local stakeholders can apply as they design new and enhance existing open spaces.