Native vs. Non-Native Plants: Public Preferences, Ecosystem Services, and Conservation Strategies for Climate-Resilient Urban Green Spaces

Alessio Russo (), Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez, Annick St-Denis and Mark G. Tjoelker
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Alessio Russo: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez: Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Annick St-Denis: Centre d’Étude de la Forêt, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, QC H2X 1Y4, Canada
Mark G. Tjoelker: Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: Climate change is reshaping urban environments, intensifying the need for resilient green space design and management that supports biodiversity, improves ecosystem services, and adapts to changing conditions. Understanding the trade-offs between native and non-native species selection is important for developing climate-resilient urban green spaces. This review examines public preferences for native versus non-native plant species and their implications for urban green space design and management. We critically analyse the ecosystem services and biodiversity benefits provided by both native and non-native plants in urban spaces, highlighting the complex trade-offs involved. Our findings indicate that while native plants can be underrepresented in urban landscapes, they offer significant ecological benefits including support for local wildlife and pollinators. Some studies have highlighted the climate resilience of native plants; however, they are likely to be more affected by climate change. Therefore, conservation strategies are needed, especially for endemic and threatened plant species. Several studies suggest a more flexible approach that integrates plant species from diverse climatic origins to improve resilience. We also explore conservation gardening (CG) as a socio-ecological strategy to integrate endangered native species into urban landscapes, promoting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. This review stresses the importance of informed plant species selection and community involvement in creating climate-resilient urban green spaces.

Keywords: plant nativeness; adaptive planting strategies; endemic species; climate change; urban forests; conservation gardening (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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