Benefits of greenspace

Greenspace is multifunctional – it provides social, economic and environmental benefits. It supports many of the components of ‘ecosystem services’ as defined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Ecosystem services include:

• Supporting services – habitat provision, nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production
• Provisioning services – fresh water, wood
• Regulating services – climate, flood, disease
• Cultural services – aesthetic, educational, recreational.

These are intrinsic to biodiversity, and provide for people’s well-being – security, basic materials for good life, health, and good social relations. As most of our communities exist within the urban environment, the provision of greenspace is essential for the well-being of society.

Environmental benefits

• Air quality
• Carbon dynamics
• Climate amelioration
• Energy crops
• Erosion control
• Flood risk alleviation
• Noise abatement
• Slope stabilisation
• Soil quality
• Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS)
• Water quality

Social and economic benefits

• Access and accessibility
• Culture and heritage
• Economic regeneration
• Education and learning
• Neighbourhood renewal
• Physical health
• Tourism
• Well-being and quality of life
• Woodfuel economics

Ecological benefits

• Biodiversity

Habitats:

• Freshwater ecosystems
• Grassland habitats
• Open habitats
• Park and garden habitats
• Wetland habitats
• Wildflower meadow habitats
• Woodland habitats

Species:

• Bird biodiversity
• Invertebrate biodiversity
• Mammal biodiversity
• Plant biodiversity
• Reptiles and amphibian biodiversity