uBMS

The new global conservation paradigm demands a management of biodiversity beyond the limited protection of threatened species and protected areas. There is a consensus on the potential of cities as a refuge for native biodiversity, and of the need of a new approach for urban planning that facilitates this native biodiversity in the city. Therefore, politicians, scientists and managers around the world propose transforming cities into viable ecosystems for our species.

However, our knowledge about urban biodiversity is still highly limited. Butterflies are one of the best indicators of biodiversity. Given the growing interest of citizens to participate in environmental projects, uBMS proposes to create a network of volunteers who prospect butterflies in two big cities, Madrid and Barcelona. Thus, relevant data will be obtained to evaluate urban biodiversity and we will sensitize the public about its value.

uBMS is a CREAF project in collaboration with the National and Catalan Butterfly Monitor Scheme, the Fauna Monitoring Group (Complutense University of Madrid) and the Autonomous University of Madrid, with the support of the City Councils of Barcelona and Madrid.