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Not Always an Amenity: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Provides Highly Variable Ecosystem Services in Both Regulatory and Voluntary Contexts

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  • Joanna P. Solins

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
    Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Mary L. Cadenasso

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Logan E. G. Brissette

    (Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Panama P.O. Box 0843-03092, Panama)

  • Steward T. A. Pickett

    (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA)

Abstract

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is advocated for its potential to provide multiple ecosystem services, including stormwater runoff mitigation, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic value. However, the provision of these ecosystem services depends on both facility design and maintenance, which may vary based on whether GSI was installed to fulfill regulatory construction permit requirements or implemented voluntarily as part of urban greening initiatives. We evaluated 76 GSI facilities distributed across Baltimore, MD, USA, comprising 48 voluntary and 28 regulatory facilities. Each facility was scored on indicators related to the provision of stormwater, habitat, and aesthetic ecosystem services. Ecosystem service scores were highly variable, reflecting a wide range of quality and condition, but we found no significant differences between scores for regulatory and voluntary GSI. However, voluntary GSI scores tended to be higher in areas with greater socioeconomic status, while regulatory facilities showed an inverse relationship. Our findings indicate that GSI facilities can degrade quickly, and that official maintenance requirements for regulatory facilities do not guarantee upkeep. Regulatory requirements did have better outcomes in areas with lower socioeconomic status, though. Degraded GSI facilities may do more harm than good, becoming both unsightly and ineffective at providing intended stormwater or habitat benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna P. Solins & Mary L. Cadenasso & Logan E. G. Brissette & Steward T. A. Pickett, 2025. "Not Always an Amenity: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Provides Highly Variable Ecosystem Services in Both Regulatory and Voluntary Contexts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2648-:d:1614096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Morgan Grove & Laura Ogden & Steward Pickett & Chris Boone & Geoff Buckley & Dexter H. Locke & Charlie Lord & Billy Hall, 2018. "The Legacy Effect: Understanding How Segregation and Environmental Injustice Unfold over Time in Baltimore," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 108(2), pages 524-537, March.
    2. Douglas Massey & Jonathan Tannen, 2015. "A Research Note on Trends in Black Hypersegregation," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(3), pages 1025-1034, June.
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