Green space is not just green

There is often a tendency to view planted space as a single green mass, described simply as ‘planting’, woodland or even just green space. This is convenient, and easy to understand, and broadly it is true, but it is a simplistic way of viewing the immensely diverse worlds that are often just out of reach.

These terms make it easy to forget that no matter how small the green space you may be observing, on closer inspection you will no doubt find that that group of trees, plants and weeds are supporting a wealth of life. Some of which will be visible, other invisible, all equally important. 

The recently published I n s e c t i n s i d e by Penny Metal documents in pictures the five hundred and fifty plus insect species found by the author over a six year period in an ordinary London park. This incredible diversity in such an ordinary space may come as a shock if you view green space as green space, but less of a surprise if you’ve taken the time to observe the wealth of life that even the smallest of spaces can host. Many of these insects will be reliant on plant material to feed and reproduce on, and in turn many of these insects will provide food for local bird life, and so from the green space comes a whole ecosystem. 

As humans it’s in our nature to categorise and simplify our surroundings, this is especially true in our overstimulating urban environments, so green space is what these complex ecosystems become. Slowing down and taking the time to observe these green spaces, will not only begin to engage you in the worlds that exist around you but are so easy to forget, but it will likely make you humble about your own existence, which in my books is no bad thing.