Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of plants, animals, and other species living in both natural and urban areas. In the City of Los Angeles, this biodiversity sustains Angelenos. This is because biodiversity provides what are known as ecosystem services, things that are provided to humans by biodiversity for free.

• Ecosystem services include but are not limited to:
• Reducing air and water pollution
• Reducing extreme heat
• Helping grow our food and make healthy soils
• Providing health benefits
• Providing recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits
• Helping build resilience for climate change

The survival and well-being of the City’s residents depend on these ecosystem services provided by biodiversity.

The City of Los Angeles falls within the California Floristic Province, a biodiversity hotspot. This means that we have many incredible, unique species but also that this biodiversity is threatened by human activity that hurts ecosystems like polluting and removing habitat.

In partnership with local experts, LASAN developed the LA Biodiversity Index, a tool used by the City to inform actions to protect, enhance, and restore biodiversity. We first measured the City’s biodiversity in 2022 in our LA Biodiversity Index Baseline Report, assessing 25 metrics across the following three themes:

• Native Species Protection and Enhancement
• Social Equity Considerations
• Governance and Management

In 2022, the City had an overall score of 37 out of 110 points. This score shows the urgent need to improve biodiversity in Los Angeles now.

We next evaluated the City’s biodiversity in our 2025 LA Biodiversity Index Baseline Report. Instead of measuring a score, we tracked how each metric was changing and provided updates to baseline measurements when needed. While some metrics, particularly in Governance and Management, showed improvement, other areas needed updated, regular data to effectively measure current conditions.

You can find both of these reports below.

As an Angeleno, you can help improve biodiversity in the City of Los Angeles. Consider the following actions you can take:

• Become a community scientist. Through using community science apps like iNaturalist, you can observe species across the City, whether that’s mule deer in large natural areas, monarch butterflies in your local park, birds in trees along your street, or weeds in the sidewalk. These observations help scientists and the City to make informed decisions on biodiversity.
• Create wildlife habitat. When gardening, use diverse, native plant palettes and avoid invasive species. You can use Calscape as a guide. Capture stormwater, reduce paved surfaces, and avoid using pesticides and herbicides when feasible.
• Use other biodiversity-friendly strategies. Consider shielding outdoor lights downward and composting.

You can find more details on how to improve biodiversity in our Biodiversity Guidelines, and be on the lookout for the City’s biodiversity indicator species. These resources can be found below.

Currently, LASAN’s Biodiversity Program is on pause due to funding constraints. However, once funding is resumed for this program, we will continue our work to improve the City’s biodiversity, strategically improving the City’s score on the LA Biodiversity Index. Other City Departments are able to pursue their biodiversity goals, which help meet the City’s overall goal to improve the LA Biodiversity Index by 35% by 2030.