Experience of using different plants in urban ecosystems

Abstract

Global ecological challenges in urban ecosystems, such as climate change, the decreasing availability of clean freshwater, noise pollution, irrational resource use, and overconsumption, compel society to seek rational solutions for their resolution. The most effective approach today remains the application of nature-based solutions within urban ecosystems, which are rooted in the logic and model of natural ecosystems. Thanks to their capacity to perform multiple beneficial functions simultaneously, these solutions can be seamlessly integrated into community development strategies across various sectors, including urban planning, green infrastructure, water resource management, waste management, and public participation, among others. Over the past decade, the European Commission has started to give special attention to nature-based solutions as an integral part of EU research and innovation policies. In 2020, nature-based solutions were officially recognized as a crucial tool for achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal. As part of this initiative, one aspect involves replacing lawns with native species of wildflowers that exhibit greater resilience to the biotic and abiotic factors of the urban environment.