The economic and ecological importance of biodiversity

Implementation measures in urban environments

In an era marked by rapid change, protecting and regenerating the natural environment have become imperatives. Biodiversity, which means the multitude of life forms on Earth, plays an essential role in maintaining ecological balance. It directly influences aspects of everyday life – from food and raw materials to energy sources and infrastructure – while ensuring access to indispensable resources such as clean air, water, and productive ecosystems. The scientific community warns: nearly one million species are on the verge of extinction, and natural habitats are shrinking alarmingly.

For example, in the United Kingdom there has been a 19% decline in biodiversity since 1970, exposing major risks, and one in six species is threatened with extinction. The 2023 State of Nature Report clearly illustrates biodiversity loss despite government commitments to environmental protection. This trend not only affects the ecosystems’ capacity to produce resources but may also compromise their functionality, leading to negative consequences for human quality of life. If these systems reach a critical threshold, they can transform, generating new forms of ecosystems with unpredictable functions. Climate change, along with biological invasions and diseases, are key factors in this degradation, and future trends indicate an amplification of their impact.

To maintain ecological balance, the global level of biodiversity should ideally remain above 90%. However, according to 2021 estimates, it has dropped to 75%, highlighting the need for immediate action to avoid an ecological crisis.

Since 2011, the British government has launched six pilot projects to compensate for biodiversity losses in England, assessing their feasibility and applicability. This experience led to the mandatory implementation of the “Biodiversity Net Gain” principle in February 2023. The measure not only reduces the negative impact of developments on the environment but also actively contributes to its improvement. Developers benefit from the opportunity to restore environmental degradation through nature-based solutions, simultaneously addressing climate and biodiversity crises – the principle being to leave the environment in a better state than before.

Ecosystem services provided by urban biodiversity

In a time when access to nature is shrinking, especially in large cities, the value of green areas is becoming increasingly evident. Rapid urbanization makes these spaces essential not only for our health but also for the planet’s stability. Introducing biodiversity into gardens and other urban areas is vital for creating sustainable and vibrant environments. It is necessary to develop nature-inspired solutions that, besides increasing biological diversity, strengthen the bond between people and the environment, generating positive visual and emotional experiences.

Social acceptance is a key element for the long-term success of biodiversity-rich green spaces. Therefore, meadows with thousands of flowers must be accessible and attractive to everyone, and public education and awareness about the importance of these areas are essential.

Combating climate change

Deforestation, tundra destruction, and ocean degradation release large amounts of greenhouse gases, accelerating global warming. Urban construction contributes at least 20% to these changes. In contrast, plants in a biodiverse environment help absorb carbon, acting as natural barriers against weather extremes and reducing temperatures. The coordinated efforts of the UN, the EU, and the scientific community aim to protect at least 30% of ecosystems, developing integrated solutions that address both climate challenges and biodiversity degradation.

Food security

Dependence on agricultural crops makes the food system vulnerable to extreme weather and disease. Moreover, crop yields are closely tied to the activity of pollinators. Thus, conserving and enhancing biodiversity are crucial for climate resilience and for maintaining pollinator populations by providing them with shelter and food sources.

Clean air and water

Biodiversity supports vital processes such as oxygen production and water purification. A species-rich environment ensures the maintenance of these ecosystem services, which are essential for human survival. Due to their high water retention capacity, areas with increased biodiversity help manage urban drainage systems efficiently, especially during heavy rainfall.

Prevention of diseases and pests

Interactions among diverse species help maintain a natural balance, limiting pest outbreaks and epidemics. Genetic diversity within ecosystems reduces their vulnerability, helping preserve a healthy urban environment.

Quality of life

Nature and biological diversity improve health and overall well-being, contributing to a more balanced lifestyle. Green areas promote positive social interactions and add a unique charm to urban landscapes through their richness of species, forms, and colors.

Economic benefits

Integrating biodiverse meadow areas into cities provides remarkable economic advantages compared to complex landscaping designs. These surfaces require lower maintenance costs and consume fewer natural resources, such as water and electricity. Additionally, the costs associated with maintaining elaborate green spaces are much higher. In Romania, for example, maintenance costs for green areas have increased significantly in recent years – in 2015 prices were 75% higher than in 2010, reaching up to 1050% increases in some cities. In Bucharest, the annual budget for green space maintenance exceeds 800 million Euros.

Monthly maintenance of parks and other green areas includes activities such as mowing and trimming hedges, shaping shrubs and trees, irrigation, fertilization, plant growth management, weed and vegetation removal, lawn overseeding, and adapting work to seasonal changes.

For example, for an area of 3 hectares, estimated costs may include:

• Weed herbicide: €6,000 (0.2 €/m²)
• Hedge trimming: €2,400 (€3/m of hedge, approx. 800 m)
• Tree pruning: between €3,000 and €60,000 (for 500 trees, depending on size, between €6 and €100 each)
• Lawn scarification: €15,000 (0.5 €/m²)
• Lawn aeration: €75,000 (2.5 €/m²)
• Overseeding: €48,000 (1.6 €/m²)
• Lawn mowing: €15,000 (0.5 €/m²)

Thus, the monthly maintenance of a 3-hectare green area can reach approximately €190,000, depending on the complexity of the layout and the necessary interventions.

In contrast, diverse vegetation carpets, similar to meadows with thousands of flowers, require far fewer resources. Choosing resilient species allows growth without intensive irrigation, while biological diversity ensures natural resistance to diseases and pests, thus reducing the need for fertilization and chemical treatments. Mowing these meadows is recommended only once a year to protect local fauna and flora, resulting in significantly lower maintenance costs – approximately €0.3/m² + VAT per year, including manual mowing, removal of dead vegetation, and fertilizer application.

Advantages of biodiverse plantations compared to traditional grass surfaces

Urban green spaces bring essential ecological, cultural, and environmental benefits, contributing to biodiversity conservation and improving quality of life. However, many areas are maintained as uniform grass surfaces that provide limited ecosystem benefits. Transitioning to diverse meadows can bring advantages such as improved biodiversity, efficient rainwater management, and superior aesthetic value. However, clear differentiation of the benefits and limitations between uniform lawns and diverse meadows remains underexplored.

Perennial grass-dominated areas cover a significant portion of urban green spaces globally. For example, in the United States grass covers approximately 1.9% of the land surface, in Sweden 0.6%, and globally about 1.4%. Recently, there has been a trend to transform these areas into diverse native meadows to enhance ecosystem services, ensure sustainability, and reduce maintenance costs.

Rapid urbanization and the adoption of landscaping models inspired by Western culture have led to a significant increase in grass-covered surfaces. Projections indicate an expansion of 79% by 2030. Although lawns offer benefits such as improved aesthetics, temperature regulation, and carbon storage, intensive maintenance – through irrigation, mowing, and fertilization – can increase greenhouse gas emissions and lead to high financial costs, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution.

For these reasons, a reevaluation of green space management is necessary. More and more conservationists, urban planners, landscape designers, and citizens recognize the benefits of natural, sustainable, and economically efficient approaches to managing the urban environment. Implementing natural meadows with local species not only enhances recreation and aesthetics but also adds essential ecosystem services.

These arguments highlight the vital importance of biodiversity in the face of contemporary challenges. A proactive approach, one that goes beyond merely reducing the negative impact on nature and aims to strengthen ecosystem resilience, is fundamental for a sustainable future of our planet.