Abstract:

Aims: The potential of cities to preserve biodiversity is gaining increased recognition. Urban green spaces (UGS), such as urban parks, play a crucial role in this effort. Research indicates that the ability of UGS to support biodiversity depends on several factors, with management activities being a key determinant. However, the current highly intense and inappropriate management of urban parks continues to hinder biodiversity enhancement. Improving management faces complex challenges in the urban context. In this paper, we focus on the management practices of Chinese urban parks and aim to answer: How can urban parks effectively enhance biodiversity by adjusting management practices? 

Methods: A three-stage approach was employed in this study. First, the current regulatory framework for urban park management and biodiversity conservation was reviewed. Second, fieldwork was conducted to gather critical first-hand data through semi-structured interviews across ten urban parks and botanical gardens. Third, the data were analyzed to generate potential solutions, including a proposed management framework. 

Results: Urban parks serve multiple functions for city residents and are required to meet basic needs such as safety and recreation. Inherent tensions exist between human-oriented needs, such as sanitation and aesthetic landscaping, and biodiversity conservation. Despite these conflicts, it is still possible to improve certain management practices by minimizing trade-offs among competing objectives. 

Conclusion: By identifying areas for improvement and exploring root causes, such as market failures, we propose a policy recommendation for certifying biodiversity-friendly urban parks and present a management framework to guide practical changes in park operations.

Key words: urban biodiversity, Chinese urban parks, urban green spaces, management and maintenance, market failure