When thinking about biodiversity, Australia’s wilderness regions and remote landscapes often come to mind, while urban areas are sometimes dismissed as inferior from a biodiversity standpoint. However, recent research challenges this perception. As urban environments continue to expand and attract more Australians, understanding how to protect and enhance biodiversity within cities becomes essential. Surprisingly, cities can play a pivotal role in conservation efforts, helping us restore balance between human life and the natural world.

Australia is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, with millions of years of geographical isolation giving rise to a stunning variety of endemic species. The country boasts approximately 21,000 plant species, 8,000 vertebrates, and 110,000 invertebrates, most of which cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. In fact, 93% of Australia's flowering plants, 87% of mammals, and 94% of frogs are endemic species. This biodiversity forms a crucial part of Australia’s natural identity and ecological stability.

Yet, this diversity is under severe threat. Since European colonization, over 100 native species have gone extinct, including 10% of Australia’s endemic mammals. Human activities, habitat destruction, and feral animals have contributed to these losses. Additionally, Australia has experienced significant biodiversity crises such as the Black Summer bushfires, which killed or displaced 3 billion vertebrates and 60 billion invertebrates, and four mass coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef in just seven years. With 22 freshwater fish species facing extinction in the next 20 years, urgent action is needed.

Given that 73% of Australians live in major cities, with urbanization expected to rise, integrating biodiversity conservation into our urban existence becomes a necessary part of the solution.

Traditionally, cities have been viewed as net detractors from biodiversity. However, studies such as the one conducted by scientists in Brisbane during the 2020 lockdown reveal a different story. By simply observing their backyard, these researchers identified an astounding 1,100 species of plants, birds, insects, and other wildlife, showing that urban areas are far from barren.

Similarly, the findings highlight the untapped potential of urban environments to support biodiversity. Small green spaces, backyard gardens, parks, and even street trees serve as vital refuges for various species. Urban areas provide microhabitats, food sources, and ecological corridors that allow wildlife to survive and sometimes thrive amidst human activity.

In fact, increasing urban biodiversity can offer solutions to some of our environmental crises. Research by the Biodiversity Council emphasizes that trees alone are not enough—cities need diverse ecosystems. Native plants attract pollinators, such as bees and birds, which in turn help maintain healthy urban green spaces. Preserving urban biodiversity creates a feedback loop that enhances air quality, regulates temperatures, reduces flooding, and fosters human well-being.

To embrace biodiversity as part of urban life, we need to shift our perspective. Cities are not just places of human activity—they can also be ecosystems that support wildlife. Here are three actionable steps that individuals and communities can take to protect and enhance urban biodiversity.

One of the simplest ways to promote biodiversity is to integrate native plants and habitat features into urban spaces. By planting native shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses in backyards, balconies, or community gardens, residents can attract pollinators and provide food and shelter for wildlife. Water features, such as small ponds or bird baths, help amphibians and birds thrive.

Urban gardening efforts should also focus on minimizing artificial surfaces that trap heat and inhibit natural life. A switch to permeable paving or green roofs encourages vegetation growth, which in turn supports small creatures like insects. Initiatives such as the “Backyard Biodiversity” projects in Brisbane and other cities demonstrate that even small individual actions can collectively create thriving habitats.

City councils and developers play a crucial role in embedding biodiversity into urban design. Citizens can support policies that prioritize green spaces, protect urban wetlands, and plant native species along roads and parks. Advocacy for biodiversity-sensitive urban design—such as creating wildlife corridors—ensures that animals can move freely between green spaces without encountering fatal barriers like roads.

The Biodiversity Council’s research highlights the importance of ecosystems over monocultures. This means that a shift from merely planting ornamental trees to fostering ecological diversity is essential. Supporting native species and removing invasive plants can help restore the natural balance within cities.

Furthermore, people can push for policies that regulate feral animal populations, such as cats and foxes, which are responsible for killing over 2.6 billion native animals annually. Local governments can also be encouraged to adopt sustainable lighting practices that reduce light pollution, helping nocturnal species thrive.

Citizen science empowers people to contribute to biodiversity research, even from their own backyards. Several Australian initiatives highlight how individuals can make a meaningful difference:

These projects foster a deeper connection with nature, raise awareness about local biodiversity, and provide critical data to guide conservation strategies. Community involvement not only protects ecosystems but also enhances mental well-being, transforming urban environments into biodiversity hubs where both people and wildlife can thrive.

As Australia’s population becomes increasingly concentrated in urban areas, the need to embrace cities as biodiversity hubs is more urgent than ever. With over three-quarters of Australians living in urban environments, incorporating native plants and wildlife-friendly spaces into cities provides an opportunity to mitigate the loss of biodiversity. Urban ecosystems, sometimes perceived as lifeless, are now recognized as critical to fostering environmental resilience and supporting Australia’s unique species.

Through small actions such as planting native species, advocating for biodiversity-friendly urban policies, and participating in citizen science, individuals can actively contribute to preserving biodiversity. As a bunch of Brisbane housemate scientists discovered, biodiversity can thrive even in the most unexpected places. If we rethink cities as part of nature, we can not only halt biodiversity loss but also create a built urban environment that benefits all life.