城市野境:比“城市荒野”更准确的措辞

Urban Wildness——A More Correct Term Than “Urban Wilderness”

"荒野"概念具有多样化的特征与多重价值,蕴含着生物、社会-经济及象征意义。为了厘清这一概念,1992年,该术语被列入了世界自然保护联盟的"自然保护地分类"中。然而,近年来"城市荒野"一词开始流行,使那些重视自然荒野区对地球未来健康与福祉的作用并致力于保护这些区域的人士感到担忧。这种用法还很可能令(现在占全球人口大多数的)城市居民对"真正的"荒野是什么感到困惑。狭义上,城市不可能拥有严格意义上的"荒野";但荒野的某些元素可以且应该出现在城市内及城市周边地区,从而提高人类健康和生活品质。基于此,"城市野境"或为更恰当的措辞。因此,本文主张以"城市野境"替代"城市荒野"一词,阐述替代原因的同时列举了城市野境的特征和效益;剖析了"城市野境"的成功案例;阐明野生动物(尤其是捕食者)在城市中的角色和面临的挑战;最后,结合案例说明了将城市居民与野性价值和效益联系起来的公众参与和公众教育方法论。

The concept of wilderness(荒野)has multiple characteristics and values relating to three principal areas:biological,socio-economic,and iconic.To provide clarity of concept,the term was included in the IUCN’s list of Protected Area Categories in 1992.More recently,a current and fashionable expression"urban wilderness"has emerged.For those who believe in the critical importance of natural wilderness areas to the future health and wellbeing of our planet,and who work to protect these areas,the term"urban wilderness"causes much consternation.It is very possible that such usages will create confusion in the mind of urban dwellers—now the majority of the global population—as to what"real"wilderness is.By definition,cities cannot be"wilderness"technically.However,elements of wilderness can and should be present in and around urban areas to enhance human health and quality of life.Rather than calling this urban wilderness,however,the term should be"urban wildness(野境)."This paper presents a rationale for using"urban wildness"to replace"urban wilderness,"citing some of the characteristics and benefits of urban wildness;provides case studies of urban areas that are working successfully with the concept;elucidates the role and challenges of wild animals(especially predators)in urban areas;and finally,gives an example of an engagement and educational methodology connecting urban dwellers to wild values and benefits.