Biodiversity and urban agriculture

What is biodiversity?

More than simply a collection of plants and animals, biodiversity is about promoting healthy conditions for organisms to thrive. It includes everything from the tiniest insects to towering trees, and it’s crucial for keeping ecosystems healthy.

Concordia students, faculty and staff are passionate about looking at how urban green spaces — like parks, backyards and community gardens — boost biodiversity in the city. Our university community blends science with community action to protect, enhance and celebrate the incredible diversity of life in and around Montreal.

Reduced mowing areas

To support declining insect populations — particularly local pollinators — Concordia has implemented a reduced mowing schedule for parts of the Loyola Campus. The plan prioritizes a reduction in mowing of areas with difficult slopes or very little foot traffic.

The aim of this new approach to lawn management is to encourage indigenous and locally adapted plants to thrive, as well as increase the biodiversity and climatic resilience of the Loyola Campus.

Affected areas will continue to have its edges mown regularly to reassure passersby that the green space is still being cared for by the university's grounds management team. Signage explaining the benefits of the reduced mowing schedule will also be visible.

What about allergies?

The most common flowering plants found in reduced mowing areas are dandelions, clovers and violets. All of these species produce heavy pollen grains that do not travel on the wind readily.

Any pollen that travels on the wind remains close to the ground and is unlikely to affect individuals who suffer from pollen allergies. Dandelion “fluff” that does travel on the wind is the seed, not an allergen.

Because dandelions flower at the same time as trees produce airborne pollen, people may confuse the source of their allergies. While many believe the flowering of the dandelion is the root cause, the true allergen is more discrete tree flower pollen.

Campus trees

Concordia is home to an urban forest. Between the university's two campuses, more than 2,800 trees and shrubs provide numerous benefits that improve human health such as:

• Reducing hot summer temperatures.
• Improving local air quality.
• Promoting mental wellbeing.

To maintain the health and resilience of Concordia's urban forest, the university ensures there is a diverse number of species — particularly native ones — present on its campuses.

More than 1,400 trees were recently planted throughout the Loyola Campus — more than doubling the campus tree count. The new plantings include three mini-forests and are part of broader efforts to reduce the urban heat island effect.

As the tree stands mature, they will provide much-needed habitat for local wildlife, as well as research opportunities for students and faculty.

Monitoring

To better understand the impact of efforts to support biodiversity, Concordia is conducting a range of monitoring and data collection activities across both campuses.

Campus Biodiversity Network on iNaturalist

Anyone can contribute to this growing database of flora and fauna observations. Any post submitted through iNaturalist from either Concordia campus is automatically included in the project, making it easy to participate in this global citizen science initiative.

Wildlife tracking at Loyola

A new automated radio telemetry antenna on the Henry F. Hall Building roof connects the Loyola Campus to the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, a global research network led by Birds Canada. The system supports real-time monitoring of tagged migratory birds, bats and other animals, helping researchers gather data on wildlife movements while contributing to conservation efforts worldwide.

Acoustic monitoring of bird and bats

Sound recorders placed at select campus sites capture bird and bat activity. The recordings are analyzed using specialized software to identify which species are present on campus.

Urban agriculture on campus

Student- and community-run campus gardens provide a number of advantages to the university community, including:

• Greatly increasing the university's floral diversity.
• Creating beneficial habitats for other living organisms.
• Providing space for recreation activities.
• Serving as outdoor lab spaces for biology and ecology students and researchers.
• Increasing storm water retention on campus grounds.

The produce harvested from the gardens is redirected mostly to campus food groups, sold at on-campus markets or donated to emergency food options. Anyone interested in tasting campus-grown herbs and vegetables can also visit seasonal farmers' markets on both campuses.

The gardens also serve as sites to build community food literacy and sovereignty by teaching growing and cooking skills.

8 gardens

• 6 student- and community-run gardens
• 2 research gardens
• Students and the community have access to all gardens
• Faculty and staff are encouraged to get involved

2,830 M²

• Total area of gardens: 2,830 square metres
• Area dedicated to food production: 1,872 square metres
• Area reserved for pollinators and herb garden: 958 square metres

3 seasons

• 2 new greenhouses are open from spring to fall
• Together they provide an extra 24 square metres of growing capacity