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Drivers of Spontaneous Plant Communities in Urban Parks: A Case from Nanjing, China

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  • Wenjie Xu

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Wenjing Dai

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Yanfen Ding

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Shanshan Song

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Qian Liu

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Wei Yang

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

Abstract

Urban plant diversity is one of the key elements for sustainable urban development. Urban plant landscapes not only create a variety of experiences for residents but also have a positive effect on their physiology and psychology. In order to better introduce nature into urban green spaces, this study conducted a field survey in Nanjing, China, to analyze the current situation of spontaneous plants in Nanjing’s urban green spaces and propose a plant planning strategy that takes into account both ecology and residents’ well-being. This study surveyed the herbaceous plant resources in 96 sample plots in nine typical urban parks in Nanjing, and recorded 284 plant species in 192 genera and 78 families. The research results show that the differences in plant diversity, richness, and evenness among urban parks in Nanjing are significant; combined with cluster analysis and ranking results, the total area of urban parks, green space construction time, lighting conditions, and management frequency have an impact on plant communities. Further analysis of the species composition of plant communities showed that moderate management frequency in urban parks can increase plant diversity. With the advantages of both high ecological benefits and low management costs, a model of “artificial plants + native spontaneous plants” was finally proposed for the planting of herbaceous plants in sustainable urban green spaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjie Xu & Wenjing Dai & Yanfen Ding & Shanshan Song & Qian Liu & Wei Yang, 2024. "Drivers of Spontaneous Plant Communities in Urban Parks: A Case from Nanjing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:9:p:3841-:d:1388048
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giles Thomson & Peter Newman, 2021. "Green Infrastructure and Biophilic Urbanism as Tools for Integrating Resource Efficient and Ecological Cities," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(1), pages 75-88.
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