Urban planning and landscape greening management drive plant diversity in five tropical cities of China

Abstract Sustainable green space is essential in urban areas to maintain and improve human well-being. However, to better understand the impact of environmental and socioeconomic changes on the sustainability of tropical urban green space landscapes, work is needed to explore the patterns of plant diversity and its drivers in urban green spaces. We explore urban floristic diversity patterns based on samples from 826 urban functional units located in five cities in the tropical coastal region of China. Field surveys were conducted to obtain data on plant diversity, land use types, socioeconomic characteristics, and environmental characteristics within these units. Plant diversity within the cities varied significantly among land use types, with high-rise housing, parks and universities exhibiting higher diversity. The diversity of cultivated plants and regional economy showed significant positive correlation, while an increase in the diversity of spontaneous plants and native species was linked to building age. Management also affected plant diversity, with watering frequency being positively associated and maintenance frequency. Urban plant diversity patterns result from a combination of multiple factors. Socio-economic factors are the primary driver of the patterns of urban plant diversity, as space management and maintenance determine what can grow in different areas. The implications of the study have important practical significance for policymakers and managers in the development and management of urban green spaces more sustainably.