Urban ecosystems and ecosystem services have received little research attention in South Asian countries where rapid urban development is currently problematic. We developed a typology of urban ecosystems and an inventory of current ecosystem services for Dhaka – the capital of Bangladesh. Our observations, surveys, analyses, and evaluation revealed a diversity of urban ecosystems including khal (canal), pond, wetland, cultivated land, park/rooftop garden, playground/field, open space/vacant plot, roadside trees, and graveyards. Important provisioning services included fruits, vegetables, fish, fodder, timber, fuelwood, and medicinal/ornamental plants. Regulating services included carbon sequestration and particulate matter removal by park and roadside trees, drainage service by khals and wetlands, and noise abatement by parks. Opportunities for recreation, fishing and sports, walk/exercise, inspirations for art and culture and religious values presented cultural services. Habitat services such as refugia for resident and migratory birds featured in parks, lakes, wetlands and trees on roadsides, playgrounds/fields, and graveyards. Evaluation of the states and values of urban ecosystems and ecosystem services are prerequisites to improving the wellbeing of urban communities particularly in Dhaka but more generally for other major cities in South Asia. Our findings will assist policy makers in sustainable urban ecosystem governance with possible implications for region-wide cooperation.

在当前城市快速发展成问题的南亚国家，城市生态系统和生态系统服务的研究很少受到关注。我们为孟加拉国首都达卡（Dhaka）开发了城市生态系统的类型，并提供了当前生态系统服务的清单。我们的观察，调查，分析和评估揭示了城市生态系统的多样性，包括喀尔（运河），池塘，湿地，耕地，公园/屋顶花园，运动场/田野，开放空间/空地，路边树木和墓地。重要的供应服务包括水果，蔬菜，鱼，饲料，木材，薪材和药用/观赏植物。监管服务包括公园和路边树木的碳固存和颗粒物清除，卡尔斯和湿地的排水服务以及公园的噪声消除。娱乐，钓鱼和运动，散步/运动，艺术和文化的灵感以及宗教价值观的机会提供了文化服务。栖息地服务，例如公园，湖泊，湿地和路边树木，操场/田野和墓地上的树木的居民和候鸟的避难所。对城市生态系统和生态系统服务的状态和价值进行评估是改善城市社区（特别是在达卡，但更普遍地是对南亚其他主要城市）的福祉的前提。我们的发现将帮助政策制定者进行可持续的城市生态系统治理，对区域范围的合作可能产生影响。栖息地服务，例如公园，湖泊，湿地和路边树木，操场/田野和墓地上的树木的居民和候鸟的避难所。对城市生态系统和生态系统服务的状态和价值进行评估是改善城市社区（特别是在达卡，但更普遍地是对南亚其他主要城市）的福祉的前提。我们的发现将帮助政策制定者进行可持续的城市生态系统治理，对区域范围的合作可能产生影响。栖息地服务，例如公园，湖泊，湿地和路边树木，操场/田地和墓地上的树木的居民和候鸟的避难所。对城市生态系统和生态系统服务的状态和价值进行评估是改善城市社区（特别是在达卡，但更普遍地是对南亚其他主要城市）的福祉的前提。我们的发现将帮助政策制定者进行可持续的城市生态系统治理，对区域范围的合作可能产生影响。