News: June 2005

The 'Biodiversity in Urban Gardens in Sheffield' project (BUGS) has been the highest profile formal study in the UK into 'wildlife gardening' and it is about to enter a new phase.

The original BUGS project ran out of Sheffield University and looked at biodiversity in 61 urban gardens over three years. It examined a number of measures commonly recommended to attract biodiversity in gardens to see which was the most effective. Among the most successful measures were nest site provision for solitary bees and wasps and log piles which clearly created habitats that were not there before.

A second project is now under way, recording biodiversity in gardens in four UK cities - Leicester, Cardiff, Belfast and Oxford. Researchers hope they will be able to gain an even better understanding of the biodiversity value of gardens.

Lizzie Murphy. Nature takes its course in city gardens. http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1040847 on June 1st 2005.