Gardening and urban landscaping: Significant players in global change

The global importance of changes from a warming climate, urbanization, and population growth are well recognized. Here the authors argue that the impact of gardening on global change is underestimated. They lay out three ways in which the global supply and use of exotic plants for gardening effects significant change: (1) by supporting invasions for exotic species, (2) through species choices that increase BVOC emissions and therefore smog, and (3) by increasing CO₂ fixation and water use. They argue for greater quantification and recognition of the impacts.