Invertebrate higher taxa diversity in managed and unmanaged green spaces in the urban environment of Metropolis GZM (Poland)

The issue of urban biodiversity is an extensively studied subject due to the tremendous loss of biological diversity worldwide. Increasing urbanisation affects local habitats through various mechanisms and has become a point of interest in urban planning and biodiversity conservation. It seems that the preservation of green spaces in cities may at least slow the process ofthe loss of biological diversity. Here, we present the results of our study aiming at finding differences in the diversity of high-level invertebrate taxa (HTA) in various types of urban green spaces in the cities of heavily industrially transformed municipalities of Metropolis GZM in southern Poland. Invertebrate diversity was recorded through pitfall trapping in flower beds, lawns, woodland parks, unmanaged shrubbery and unmanaged lawns in vacant lots with abandoned management. The results indicate a relatively uniform diversity of studied habitats, with significant differences between managed and unmanaged lawns, the latter being significantly more diverse. Results indicate that the reduction of mowing and cutting of urban lawns may increase local diversity and serve as a more economical contribution to creating urban meadows.