n a recent Landscape Ecology study "Yards increase forest connectivity in urban landscapes”, Australian and United States researchers analyse the importance of yard (garden) canopy connectivity in supporting biodiversity in the urban landscape of Boston, MS. 

The JRC's GuidosToolbox software was used to analyse and quantify the entire tree canopy network spanning 1,220 of Boston’s neighbourhoods.

The analysis included the quantitative assessment of structural composition, connectivity and fragmentation to assess the configuration of the urban green-space potentially affecting tree-dependent wildlife species, such as some birds and arboreal mammals.

The GuidosToolbox metrics of pattern analysis and network connectivity were then related to the land use of 349,305 property parcels.

Source: The European Commission's science and knowledge service

Further information on the JRC website: HERE