Resources
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
Habitats:
- Freshwater ecosystems
- Grassland habitats
- Open habitats
- Park and garden habitats
- Wetland habitats
- Wildflower meadow habitats
- Woodland habitats