How do the green components of urban green infrastructure influence the use of ecosystem services? Examples from Leipzig, Germany

Context The pressure on remaining open spaces of urban green infrastructure (UGI) is high due to increasing urbanization and the multiple requirements of a diverse urban population. Thus, a good quality and high capacity for ecosystem services of UGI is crucial to support a good quality of life. Objectives This study analyses the influence of tree cover and other green parameters like species richness on ecosystem service use in urban parks and green brownfields. The outcomes contribute to design and management of resilient UGI. Methods We assessed the diversity of woody and herbaceous flowering species in 36 study sites with low, medium and high tree cover in the city of Leipzig, Germany. UGI users were counted, and randomly selected visitors (n = 1750) were interviewed about their use of ecosystem services. Results We found tree cover in urban parks negatively influencing physical interactions used by respondents. In parks with high tree cover, more respondents were benefitting from regulating services such as noise mediation or shade provision. Brownfield visitors preferred sites with low to medium tree cover, mainly for walking the dog but also for other ecosystem services. Plant species richness did not show significant influence. Conclusions Tree cover in parks and brownfields can be a predictor for a range of ecosystem services typically used by visitors, highlighting how vegetation or green structures in UGI can be employed to steer the use. Brownfields provide additional space for complementary ecosystem service use, thus contributing to the avoidance of potential use conflicts in managed UGI like parks.