PULLMAN, Wash. – The value of green spaces in cities to support biodiversity will be discussed in a free, public talk at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in FSHN T101 at Washington State University.
Mary M. Gardiner, Ohio State University entomologist, will talk about research into the ecological value of gardens and small farms that have been established on abandoned lots in inner-city Cleveland. The city has more than 20,000 vacant lots, 209 community gardens and 55 for-profit polyculture farms.
These areas support beneficial pollinator insects, but research has determined that more are needed. In addition, high concentrations of heavy metals were found in the soil.
The implications of these findings for conservation and community health in Cleveland and similar cities will be discussed.
The talk is part of the WSU-University of Idaho Bi-University Guest Seminar Series in Entomology (BUGSS). It is supported by the Lowell T. Farmer Endowment to the UI.