Outdoor seating near lakes, rivers, or coastal areas has become increasingly popular for recreational and commercial purposes. However, its impact on local aquatic ecosystems, particularly copepod populations, is often overlooked. Copepods, tiny crustaceans vital to aquatic food webs, are sensitive to environmental changes caused by human activity.

The introduction of outdoor seating can lead to increased runoff from paved surfaces, introducing pollutants like oil, heavy metals, and microplastics into water bodies. These contaminants disrupt copepod reproduction and survival rates. Additionally, shading from structures like umbrellas or pergolas may alter light penetration, affecting phytoplankton growth—the primary food source for copepods.

Studies suggest that areas with dense outdoor seating show reduced copepod diversity and abundance, which can ripple through the ecosystem, impacting fish and bird species that rely on them. Sustainable design, such as permeable paving and buffer zones, can mitigate these effects while maintaining recreational value. Understanding this balance is crucial for urban planning near sensitive aquatic habitats.