Seminar on the value of urban vacant land for ecosystem services

The seminar was titled “Quantifying the Value of Urban Vacant Land for Conservation and Ecosystem Services” and was held as a part of CBC’s seminar series at the Department of Ecology. Gardiner’s talked about 'vacant lots' in Cleveland, United States and how they contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Vacant lots are old plots where the houses have been demolished - Cleveland is a city where the population is decreasing. Preliminary results suggest that these areas, that are often planted with grasses and flowering plants, can contribute with biological control of the small-scale urban agriculture plots that are becoming common in the city.

Gardiner is also studying how heavy metals, that are common in these environments, may affect natural enemies and pollinators. She has already shown that bumblebees could be adversely affected by fewer larvae produced in very dirty places.