Greenspace is multifunctional – it provides social, economic and environmental benefits. It supports many of the components of ‘ecosystem services’ as defined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Ecosystem services include:
- Supporting services – habitat provision, nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production
- Provisioning services – fresh water, wood
- Regulating services – climate, flood, disease
- Cultural services – aesthetic, educational, recreational.
These are intrinsic to biodiversity, and provide for people’s well-being – security, basic materials for good life, health, and good social relations. As most of our communities exist within the urban environment, the provision of greenspace is essential for the well-being of society.