Analysis of Landform and Land Cover: Potentials for Urban Biodiversity Conservation against Rising Temperatures

ABSTRACTLandform diversity has been identified as one means to support biodiversity in the face of rising temperatures. The aim of this research is to show methods forresearchers to measure the capability of urban landscapes in safeguardingfauna against the impacts of rising temperatures. A case study of Wellington, New Zealand, shows that 1276 ha of the landscape under study consist of south-facing slopescapable of supporting fauna that are historically adapted to the cool climatic conditions. Approximately 425 ha of this area have an overlap with indigenous land cover classes that are believed to be primary habitats for fauna.