Outdoor seating in urban areas, while enhancing human comfort, significantly alters the microhabitats of urban anaspids—small, often overlooked crustaceans. These creatures thrive in specific environmental conditions, such as moist, shaded areas with minimal disturbance. The introduction of benches, tables, and other seating structures disrupts these conditions by increasing foot traffic, compacting soil, and reducing moisture retention.

Studies suggest that urban anaspids are particularly sensitive to changes in ground cover and humidity levels. Outdoor seating often replaces natural vegetation with impermeable surfaces, further fragmenting their habitats. However, thoughtfully designed seating areas incorporating green infrastructure, like permeable pavements or adjacent plantings, can mitigate these effects. By balancing human needs with ecological considerations, cities can foster biodiversity while maintaining functional public spaces.

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for sustainable urban planning, ensuring that both humans and native species coexist harmoniously.