Passive rewilding of park lawns, non-intervention on residential vacant lots, direct restoration of industrial lots, and conservation of natural and agricultural habitat remnants as sources of different species enhances city biodiversity. To understand the opportunities to rewild residential and industrial vacant areas in cities, this research examined the range of different plants, fungal and bacterial communities found there. The research looked to compare the species variety found in a range of urban habitats to those found in forests and farmed hay meadows.
This research explored how ecosystems differ between urban and rural habitats, offering insights to passive rewilding, with particular reference to communities of plants, fungi, and bacteria. By comparing urban spaces, such as parks, roadsides, and vacant lots with rural landscapes, such as forests and agricultural hay meadows, the study examined how these environments shape biodiversity.
The findings revealed that plants showed the highest levels of ecological novelty in urban settings, with industrial vacant lots hosting the most distinct ecosystems. In contrast, residential vacant lots and park lawns were found to support communities more similar to those in rural areas, particularly hay meadows. Understanding these differences is important for developing effective rewilding strategies and sustainable landscaping practices. Urban areas that already support rural-like ecosystems — such as residential vacant lots — may require less intervention to restore biodiversity. Park lawns demonstrated microbial communities closely resembling those found in hay meadows, suggesting that they hold further potential for ecological enhancement.
Soil health plays a vital role in the success of planting schemes, and this study reinforces the importance of measuring microbial communities, including fungi and bacteria found in soil. These organisms influence nutrient cycling, plant resilience, and long-term soil fertility. Previous research featured by the AIPH Green City Update highlighted the importance of plant selection in urban greening, and the importance of soil health for thriving urban ecosystems.
This research demonstrates the potential to enhance urban habitats to provide a foundation for biodiversity. By recognising the differences in urban spaces, ecological practitioners are better able to manage soil, select appropriate plant species, and contribute to greener, more biodiverse cities using both active and passive rewilding.
Fernández-Pascual, Eduardo, et al. “Compositional novelty of plant, fungal and bacterial communities across urban habitats.” Landscape and Urban Planning 265 (2026): 105517.
