Skip to main content
Dryad

Data from: Functional diversity and habitat preferences of native grassland plants and ground-dwelling invertebrates in private gardens along an urbanisation gradient

Abstract

Urbanisation influences biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, private domestic gardens provide habitats for many species. Challenging conditions in urban gardens may support species possessing certain traits, but exclude other species. Functional diversity is therefore often altered in urban gardens. We surveyed native grassland plants and ground-dwelling invertebrates (snails, slugs, spiders, millipedes, woodlice, ants, rove beetles), and compiled data on urbanisation (distance to city centre, percentage of sealed area) and garden characteristics. We furthermore derived data on traits and habitat preferences for the species recorded in the gardens from the literature and own measurements. The survey comprised 35 domestic gardens along a rural-urban gradient in the city of Basel, Switzerland and its surroundings.