Plant diversity in urban green spaces led to sevenfold increase in insect species, Australian study finds

Scientists find ‘substantial ecological changes’ after greening initiative by major road in Melbourne

The benefits of urban greening initiatives are increasingly well documented: they can help mitigate the effects of urban heating, and improve physical health and mental wellbeing. And even small greening actions in cities can significantly improve local biodiversity, new research suggests.

Increasing the diversity of native plants in a single urban green space resulted in a sevenfold increase in the number of insect species after three years, Australian researchers have found.

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