The Importance of Connected and Interspersed Urban Green and Blue Space for Biodiversity: A Case Study in Cork City, Ireland

Urban green and blue space (UGBS) is becoming increasingly important for supporting biodiversity, with the spatial configuration of these landscapes essential to a range taxa. The role UGBS biodiversity well established, but there remains lack consensus on importance overall landscape scale at which configurations are analyzed. Moreover, statistical models often compounded by coarse representations that ignore ‘invisible’ spaces (i.e., gardens brownfield sites). Using Sentinel-2 satellite data maximum likelihood classification, comprehensive landcover map Cork City, Ireland was produced reliable accuracy. FRAGSTATS then used capture metrics regarding study area, city three extents each field site. Field surveys 72 locations captured bird species richness abundance, before generalized linear (GLMs) were parameterized between 50, 100, 200 m scales. classification revealed two-thirds composed space. recorded 62 in city, while GLMs significant driver increasing inversions coefficient estimates, suggesting more nuanced relationship. edge effect phenomenon suggested play key diversity, diversified varied urban important. impact also affected how viewed as connective network within particularly relation metrics. Overall, this has demonstrated intrinsically linked diversity. 38% listed conservation concern Ireland, highlighting can provide habitats vulnerable should inform discussion geography implementation planning initiatives environs.