Air pollution is now considered to be the world’s largest environmental health threat, accounting for millions of deaths globally each year. The social group that is particularly exposed to the harmful effects of air pollution is children. Their vulnerability results from higher breathing frequency and being subject to concentration peaks just above the ground. The negative effects of ambient particulate matter also depend on the time of exposure. A daily route to school can constitute an important component of children’s physical activity, but air pollution can pose a threat to their health. Numerous studies have proved that high loads of PM can be effectively reduced by vegetation. Little is known, however, on whether vegetation can also reduce PM during leaf dormancy. In this study we investigated the role of trees in air purification during the leafless period in children’s routes to selected schools located in Warsaw during winter. The results obtained show a weak impact of the tree canopy in winter.

Urban gardens, including family allotment gardens (FAGs) and community gardens (CGs), play an increasingly important role in urban resilience to climate change—particularly through the delivery of regulatory ecosystem services. They occupy as much as 2.6% of Warsaw’s land area and thus have a tangible impact on the entire metropolitan system. These gardens are used in different ways, and each use affects the magnitude of the provided ecosystem services. This preliminary study explores how different types of allotment garden uses affect biodiversity and ecosystem services, addressing a critical knowledge gap in the classification and ecological functioning of urban gardens. We surveyed 44 plots in Warsaw, categorizing them into five vegetation use types: turf, flower, vegetable, orchard, and abandoned. For each plot, we assessed the floristic diversity, vegetation structure (leaf area index, LAI), and six regulatory services: air and soil cooling, water retention, humidity regulation, PM 2.5 retention, and nectar provision. Flower gardens had the highest species diversity (Shannon index = 1.93), while turf gardens had the lowest (1.43) but the highest proportion of native species (92%). Abandoned plots stood out due to the densest vegetation (LAI = 4.93) and ecological distinctiveness. Principal component analysis showed that the selected ecosystem services explained 25% of the variation in vegetation types. We propose a use-based classification of urban gardens and highlight abandoned plots as a functionally unique and overlooked ecological category.

Urban gardens, including Family Allotment Gardens (FAGs) and community gardens (CGs), play an increasingly important role in the ecological and social structure of cities that are to be adapted to climate change. For this purpose, alongside recreational and productive benefits, regulatory ecosystem services are becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study, conducted in Warsaw, was to examine the relationship between five classified types of vegetation use in urban gardens—turf, flower, vegetable, orchard, and abandoned— in the terms of biodiversity and ecosystem services they provide. The study places particular emphasis on floristical biodiversity and regulating services (e.g., microclimate regulation, water retention, air quality improvement, and pollinator support), and introduces a novel consideration of abandoned plots with spontaneous vegetation, which have been marginally addressed in previous studies despite their growing presence in cities. Field data were collected from 44 garden plots. Results showed that while flower and orchard gardens provide the broadest range of regulating ecosystem services, abandoned plots exhibit the highest biodiversity and vegetation density, indicating their potential as future ecological hubs. However, their current contribution to ecosystem functioning remains limited due to their early successional stage. Overall, differences in ecosystem service provision between garden types were smaller than anticipated, suggesting the complexity of multiple factors influencing service quality. There was considerable within-group variation between the identified types, indicating that microscale management and vegetation structure may be more significant than formal garden classification. We argue that the observed, short-term and small-scale forms of greenery in urban gardens are insufficient to produce an impact at a supra-local scale.

The goal of this paper is to explore whether there is potential in the Warsaw community to develop urban gardens (UG) to foster adaptation to climate change. The paper acknowledges the presence of UG in the research-recognised repertoire of climate change adaptation tools and, based on social research, highlights and discusses features essential for the potential of social capital. The characteristics of gardeners and urban gardening leaders, the functions of UG as perceived by gardeners and indicators of success were examined. The results identify factors influencing engagement conditions, longevity premises and effectiveness agents.

Urban gardens (UG) in densely populated cities serve as vital spaces, fostering community well‐being, biodiversity, and local food production. Yet, these gardens face a growing threat from air and soil contamination, particularly in cities like Warsaw (Poland), where proximity to major roads, an international airport, and industrial activities elevates the risks. This study, focusing on six UGs in Warsaw, assessed the soil (including potentially toxic elements (PTE) content using spectrophotometric method, soil toxicity and health risks using OECD 208 test method and US EPA Hazard identification method) and air quality (PM_2.5 concentration) recorded at 1.5 m with a calibrated Nephelometer. The results revealed that soil PTE concentrations remained low, with dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and phytotoxicity tests showing no toxic effects. Both microbial activity and plant growth were unaffected by pollution levels, suggesting that these UGs maintain healthy ecosystems. Moreover, health risk assessments confirmed no significant risks associated with exposure to garden soils for either adults or children. The reduction of PM_2.5 levels within the gardens further highlights their role as protective green spaces. These findings support the idea that UGs, even in areas exposed to urban stressors, do not pose significant environmental or health risks, making them safe, and valuable components of urban infrastructure.