UK Gardens: An Untapped Resource for Nature Amidst Paving Over and Inequality
Paving Paradise: The Urgent Call to Reclaim UK Gardens for Nature
In an eye-opening report, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) unveiled a startling reality: nearly half of the UK’s garden space is currently paved over. This study, conducted in partnership with AI mapping company Gentian, is the largest audit of UK gardens to date, revealing not just how we treat our gardens, but their untapped potential as vital resources for nature.
A Treasure Trove of Green Space
Covering an impressive 25.8 million gardens across 959,800 hectares (or 2.37 million acres), UK gardens collectively represent 4.6% of the entire UK land area—an area three times larger than all of the nation’s national nature reserves combined. This revelation places gardens at the forefront of biodiversity efforts, emphasizing their importance as habitats for various species.
However, the report highlighted a shocking statistic: 42% of domestic garden space is paved over, with 55% of front gardens and 36% of back gardens succumbing to concrete. This trend not only diminishes the space available for wildlife but also worsens flooding, as impermeable surfaces prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground.
The Hidden Statistics
The report further discovered that there are 18 million square meters of artificial grass across cultivated green spaces, with 7.5 million of these located in private gardens. While designed for aesthetics, artificial grass offers little ecological benefit and contributes to the decline of natural habitats.
Perhaps most striking is that gardens provide homes to over 50 million trees and a myriad of species, hosting about half of the UK’s butterflies, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as over 40% of bird and mammal species. Moreover, gardens store an estimated 158 million tonnes of carbon, playing a crucial role in combating climate change.
Inequality in Garden Access
The RHS report also sheds light on regional inequalities in garden space. For instance, 41% of London is classified as garden space, in stark contrast to only 19% in Leeds, 25% in Edinburgh, and 27% in Cardiff. This disparity is further aggravated by the financial struggles of community gardens, with over a quarter surviving on annual budgets of less than £500 and less than 3% owning their land.
A Call to Action
The RHS is urging homeowners to rethink their garden designs. It’s time to stop paving over precious green space and instead embrace robust planting and permeable paving solutions. These changes can mitigate flooding risks, enhance the cooling potential of gardens, and significantly support biodiversity.
Clare Matterson, the RHS Director General, emphasized the need for equitable access to gardens, particularly in the government’s promise to build 1.5 million new homes. This initiative should guarantee “space to grow” for every household, ensuring that green spaces are treated as essential infrastructure.
Rethinking Our Relationship with Nature
As Prof. Alistair Griffiths, RHS Director of Science and Collections, points out, we often focus on the biodiversity crisis concerning wild plants and wildlife while neglecting the role of cultivated plants. UK gardens constitute a crucial infrastructure that not only provides aesthetic beauty but also offers practical benefits—cooling cities, storing carbon, and supporting diverse wildlife.
It’s imperative that all generations appreciate the value of gardens, recognizing them as more than mere patches of grass or areas for leisure. They are essential parts of our ecosystem, integral to mending our fragile planet for future generations.
Conclusion
The RHS report serves as a powerful reminder of the potential lying dormant in our backyards. As we face environmental crises and urban expansion, let’s seize the opportunity to transform our gardens into thriving habitats for nature. By paving fewer spaces and planting more, we can cultivate a greener, more sustainable future—not just for ourselves but for all living beings sharing our planet.