Outdoor seating in urban areas, from park benches to café terraces, subtly reshapes the microhabitats of tiny, often overlooked creatures like rhombozoans. These microscopic organisms thrive in the interstitial spaces of cities, where moisture, temperature, and organic debris create niches for survival. The introduction of seating alters these conditions—shading the ground, trapping moisture, or even providing new surfaces for biofilm growth, a critical food source for rhombozoans.

Studies suggest that clustered seating can fragment microhabitats, isolating rhombozoan populations, while spaced-out designs may promote connectivity. Materials matter too: wooden benches retain moisture, fostering richer microbial communities, whereas metal or plastic seats create drier, less hospitable zones. Seasonal changes further complicate this dynamic, as summer crowds increase organic debris (e.g., food crumbs), while winter reduces activity.

Urban planners rarely consider rhombozoans, yet these organisms play hidden roles in nutrient cycling and microbial balance. By examining seating layouts through an ecological lens, cities could design spaces that support both human comfort and microscopic biodiversity—a tiny step toward more inclusive urban ecosystems.