J. Morgan Grove

Understanding and Working With Urban Biodiversity: The Baltimore Ecosystem Study

Introduction The Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) examines urban biodiversity through its integrated, long-term research in an urban social-ecological system. The project includes scientific research, education from elementary to post-graduate levels, and engagement with the Baltimore, Maryland, US community. Established by a National Science Foundation (NSF) competition in 1997, it partners academic institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government research and management agencies (Pickett et al. 2011). The breadth of the partnership is reflected by the authors of this article who represent eight different organisations. Support comes mainly from NSF and the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service.