Urban Green Infrastructure: Does Species’ Origin Impair Ecosystem Services Provision?

Mónica Andrade (), Cláudia Fernandes, António Coutinho and Albano Figueiredo
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Mónica Andrade: Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning, Department of Geography and Tourism, University of Coimbra, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal
Cláudia Fernandes: Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento de Território, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
António Coutinho: Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Albano Figueiredo: Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning, Department of Geography and Tourism, University of Coimbra, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal

Land, 2023, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: The adverse effects of urbanized areas’ growth might be mitigated by the multiple ecosystem services that urban green infrastructure provides. However, the design and composition of such infrastructure is still a hotly debated issue, mainly considering the challenges associated with the use of exotic plant species. To assess if there is a clear association between the species’ origin and ecosystem services or ecosystem disservices, an in-depth systematic literature review was carried out based on a bibliometric approach to assess the panorama of the scientific perspective. Based on the results, a detailed analysis was performed for the urban green infrastructure of five European Mediterranean cities, where management and expansion of the urban green infrastructure might act as tools to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. Urban green infrastructure benefits to urban areas and its composition must consider the balance between services and disservices provided by plant species. Data analysis shows that disservices are not exclusively related to exotic species, revealing that plant species selection based on their origin represents a biased approach, as it often disregards the higher capacity of some exotic species to thrive under continuous pressure and disturbance, along with relevant and highly valued cultural services provided. Since exotic species are commonly used, ecosystems formed can be seen as experiments to support decisions, allowing new approaches to planning, designing, and maintaining urban green infrastructure.

Keywords: plant species; native; exotic; ecosystem services; ecosystem disservices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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