Urban or Rural flora - which is more diverse in Easter Ross?

Abstract

Ten pairs of 100 metre squares, one urban and one rural, were randomly selected in Easter Ross from the same hectad. They were visited twice for 40 minutes. In winter 100 species were recorded in the urban squares and 97 in the rural, In summer 104 species in the urban and 136 in the rural. Neophytes accounted for 16% in the urban and 3% in the rural samples. Species totals were 143 urban and 159 rural.

Partial access was only possible in most squares and caution is needed in assessing these findings. Possible reasons for the findings include especially herbicide use and also species composition and micro-climate.