Urban parks and green spaces in cities have more varieties of soil life than nearby forests or farms. However, this soil biodiversity is more similar across different urban areas, which could make it less able to cope with climate change, according to a recent study.
Scott Chang, a professor at the University of Alberta, co-authored the research. He notes, “We might have underestimated how urbanization affects soil biodiversity.” This study, published in Nature Cities, highlights the surprising uniformity of soil microbial populations across urban parks throughout various cities.
The research team analyzed over 200 soil samples from 13 cities in China, covering different climates. They looked at four land types: forests, farmlands, urban parks, and residential areas. Results showed that urban parks and residential spaces hosted more bacteria, fungi, and protists—tiny organisms—than nearby forests. For instance, the variety of these organisms increased by 14 to 17 percent in urban parks compared to forests.
This boost in diversity likely ties to urban management practices like liming and fertilization, which create better conditions for these species. However, while the urban soils were diverse, they were also about 13 percent more similar to each other than those in forests, leading to reduced ecological uniqueness.
Chang warns that this similarity across urban soils could diminish resilience to environmental stresses. He explains that if these diverse communities respond uniformly to environmental changes, it can lower the overall resilience of urban ecosystems.
This phenomenon isn’t just local; it reflects a growing trend. According to a recent report from the National Academy of Sciences, biodiversity loss is accelerating worldwide. Urban areas, while seemingly thriving, may face vulnerabilities that require attention.
As cities expand, understanding how to preserve biodiversity becomes crucial. More diverse ecosystems can better handle stressors like climate change and pest outbreaks. Thus, this research offers an important perspective on the interplay between urbanization and natural ecosystems.
For a deeper dive into urban biodiversity, you might want to check out this report by the National Academy of Sciences that discusses biodiversity in urban settings and its implications.
In summary, while urban parks are rich in soil life, their similarity across cities could spell trouble for environmental resilience. Balancing urban development with biodiversity might be key for healthier cities.
