Vegetation density is the main driver of insect species richness and diversity in small private urban front gardens

Abstract

Urbanisation changes the natural ecosystems and vegetation to urban green spaces, and causes insect communities to experience novel challenges for survival. New evidence suggests that urban green spaces, no matter how small, can provide meaningful habitats for insects. Information on design and management of small gardens ( View larger version (41K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17e1ad3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13322forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@43bd23org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@136524d_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Graphical abstract. Shown are either plus or minus signs indicating a positive or negative trends from the models that predict species richness and Shannon biodiversity of insects, pollinators or herbivores by the design of small urban gardens. *indicates a statistically significant trend at p-value < 0.05. A plus or minus sign without* means a visible statistically non-significant trend. A greyed out square indicates exclusion of the term in the model. A white square indicates non-significant and non-visible trend. C_FIG