Urban landscape pattern affects plant diversity in green spaces: Evidence from street view imagery

Sustainable urban environments are dependent on plant diversity in urban green spaces. However, there is no method to analyze the impact of urban landscape pattern on plant diversity in green spaces. In this study first, we have verified the applicability of Baidu Panorama on plant diversity (Shannon-Wiener index) by comparison to quadrat sampling. This street view imagery-based survey for 40 green spaces in Wuhan showed that the mean ± variance of plant diversity is arbor (1.39 ± 0.13) > weighted (1.34 ± 0.15) > shrub (1.12 ± 0.14) > herb (1.10 ± 0.24). Second, we calculated twelve landscape metrics based on land use and land cover data to describe urban landscape pattern in Wuhan, and found that the geographically weighted regression model had a greater ability to explain the influence of urban landscape on plant diversity. By the examination of plant diversity and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) for species composition, we confirmed that a clear landscape structure and natural ecological lands improve the plant diversity, while artificial lands have both positive and negative effects on them. Third, evidence from local regression revealed that urban landscape pattern affected arbor, shrub, and herb diversity mostly at 1500 m, 1000 m, and 500 m, respectively. More native and exotic plant species appear in green spaces whose surrounding woodland is greater while construction land is less extensive. These findings not only provide experience for the built environment research application of street view imagery but also enlighten the way to protect plant diversity in urban environment. • Via street view imagery, plant diversity in urban green spaces can be effectively measured. • Influence range of urban landscape pattern is 1000/1500 m around green spaces. • Landscape level, cropland, woodland and water benefit plant diversity, while grassland and construction land decrease it. • Green spaces around larger woodlands and less construction land support more plant species.