Lawns are a ubiquitous feature of urban and residential landscapes. No matter the city or neighborhood across the U.S., turfgrass lawns are a component of the landscape. Despite their reputation as a sterile habitat devoid of life, in reality, lawns exist across a gradient of biodiversity and management intensity. With rapid urban and residential development and few viable plant options that satisfy the ecosystem services provided by turfgrasses, it is critical that we improve our understanding of the role lawns and their management play in urban biodiversity conservation. Here, I will discuss recent work quantifying the diversity of plants that naturally occur in residential lawns, the disconnect between human-perceived and actual lawn plant diversity, and how these plant communities contribute to arthropod conservation within urban landscapes. I conclude with next steps and tactics for enhancing the conservation value of lawns as an important urban plant system.
