Outdoor seating in urban environments plays a surprisingly significant role in shaping the microhabitats of xenacoelomorphs—small, enigmatic marine worms that occasionally adapt to city life. These creatures, often overlooked, thrive in interstitial spaces created by human infrastructure, such as benches, tables, and pavements.

The presence of outdoor seating alters local microclimates by providing shade, moisture retention, and shelter from predators. Xenacoelomorphs exploit these niches, utilizing the damp undersides of seating or the accumulated organic debris beneath them. Studies suggest that these microhabitats can support higher biodiversity than surrounding concrete-dominated areas, offering refuge for these resilient organisms.

However, frequent cleaning or chemical treatments of seating disrupts these fragile ecosystems. Balancing urban aesthetics with ecological preservation is key to maintaining these unique microhabitats. Further research is needed to understand how xenacoelomorphs adapt to such human-made environments and their broader role in urban biodiversity.