Plants with Purpose: discovering green solutions for urban challenges

Make Space For Nature

Join us as we chat to Caitlyn Johnstone, a Nature Based Solutions Scientist from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), to explore how plants and ecosystems can transform our cities.
Discover how integrating nature-based solutions can make monumental differences in tackling urban issues like flooding and heat. We hear about RBGE's Plants with Purpose research programme investigating the functional traits of plants such as temperature regulation and biodiversity restoration.
Caitlyn’s stories and insights bring to life the adaptability of green infrastructure compared to traditional grey infrastructure. Her passion is contagious as she demonstrates how small, actionable changes in urban planning can lead to significant ecological benefits.
We also discuss simple adaptations you can make in your own garden or greenspace to offer nature a helping hand, such as supporting pollinators throughout their lifecycle and managing rainwater efficiently, resulting in a more resilient environment.

More Information

Royal Garden Botanic Edinburgh

Nature Based Solutions at RGBE

Nature-based solutions, NatureScot

Chapter

1. Plants with Purpose: discovering green solutions for urban challenges (00:00:00)

2. Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Environments (00:00:05)

3. Supporting Biodiversity With Green Infrastructure (00:12:54)

4. Nature-Based Solutions for Biodiversity (00:19:42)

5. Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (00:27:41)

6. Green Infrastructure Benefits in Urban Areas (00:35:40)