By Ingmar Staude.
This study shifts focus from the usual narrative of gardens dispersing non-native species to exploring their role in conserving native plant species. Gardens can act as refuges for declining native plants, providing safe habitats and aiding their spread into natural landscapes, a role in conservation yet to be fully explored. Analysis of extensive cultivation data and the German Red List shows that widespread cultivation in gardens can bolster native plant populations and potentially improve their endangerment status. However, the ongoing decline in many commonly grown species also indicates a need to pinpoint which ones benefit most from garden cultivation. This study highlights that our cultivated landscapes, often seen as detrimental, could hold an untapped potential in supporting biodiversity conservation.
Relational Thinking 