Urban farming and gardening

Areas used for urban farming and gardening, when compared to paved or asphalted grounds, have a positive contribution to climate adaptation. These green areas can be further adapted to climate impacts by introducing appropriate vegetation and crops for allotment and vegetable gardens. They should be, according to the climatic area resistant to droughts; such as saline vegetables and drought-tolerant plants and trees. Other issues also relevant for climate change adaptation include:<ul><li>Increasing the presence of vegetation will increase the water infiltration capacity of the soil, which in turn leads to better adaptation to future needs  in terms of storm water runoff.</li><li>By providing shade, increasing evapotranspiration and transforming sunlight into vegetal material in photosynthesis processes rather than absorbing it, plants and trees have a cooling effect on their environment.</li><li>When using more drought-tolerant plants, water needs for irrigation can be reduced.</li><li>As a consequence of the increased water infiltration capacity the groundwater table will rise improving drought resistance.</li><li>When planting more saline vegetables and drought-tolerant vegetation there will be more food available during dry spells.</li><li>Urban farming and gardening attract a variety of fauna and thereby increases local biodiversity. Moreover, gardens are used as recreational areas and public meeting places for people, improving the environmental qualities of urban areas</li></ul>