Urban Floras – a contribution to biodiversity

“Urban Floras – a Contribution to Biodiversity”.    

A round-up of research on this topic and a report of the Botanical Society of Scotland’s Urban Flora project 2015-2023; highlighting the role of urban sites for biodiversity.

The 2-day conference will cover the following:

• The physical and chemical environment for plant life in cities. The process of urbanisation as it affects wild-flowers and bryophytes. Plant life on man-made surfaces, urban microclimates and the heat-island effect, atmospheric pollution and hydrological aspects as they affect flooding.
• Characteristics of the Urban Flora. Patterns and trends seen so far, traits of urban plants, selection pressures and evolution. Data for researchers and students. Relationships with insect life and importance of pollinators.
• The human dimension – a discussion. Public perceptions of biodiversity in cities, and the influences of cutting, mowing, planting. Policies and practices of Local Authorities.
• An open public lecture and discussion on the role of botanic gardens in an urban setting.

Proceedings of the Conference will be published as a Special Issue of the journal Plant Ecology and Diversity.

By The Royal Society of Edinburgh