1
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Löffler F, Brüggeshemke J, Freienstein FM, Kämpfer S, Fartmann T. Urban rooftops near sports pitches provide a safe haven for a declining shorebird. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9248. [PMID: 38649736 PMCID: PMC11035604 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59693-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Urbanisation has contributed to a severe decline in biodiversity worldwide. However, urban ecosystems can also play an important role in the conservation of threatened species, including ground-nesting birds such as the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). While the coastal populations of this shorebird have declined sharply, there is growing evidence that pairs nesting on urban flat roofs have high reproductive success. However, the reasons for rooftop nesting and the species' habitat use in urban areas remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the territory selection and foraging behaviour of the Eurasian Oystercatcher in the city of Münster (NW Germany). All nesting sites were located on flat roofs (N = 24), most of which were covered with gravel. Overall, reproductive success was high. This was mainly because the roofs provided protection from mammalian predators, leading to increased nest and chick survival. Moreover, breeding performance in the study area was favoured by the proximity of sports pitches. According to our observations, they provided a large amount of easily accessible prey throughout the breeding season. Overall, our study highlights that the reproductive success of the Eurasian Oystercatcher in urban environments is highly dependent on both safe nesting sites on flat roofs and the availability of suitable foraging habitats. Although our study suggests that breeding in urban areas can be beneficial for the model organism, the species' strong territory fidelity makes it very sensitive to the rapid environmental changes occurring in cities. The value of urban ecosystems for bird conservation should therefore be better integrated into urban planning and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Löffler
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Jonas Brüggeshemke
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Felix Maximilian Freienstein
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Steffen Kämpfer
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Thomas Fartmann
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology (IBL), An der Kleimannbrücke 98, 48157, Münster, Germany
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2
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Iknayan KJ, Heath SK, Terrill SB, Wenny DG, Panlasigui S, Wang Y, Beller EE, Spotswood EN. Patterns in bird and pollinator occupancy and richness in a mosaic of urban office parks across scales and seasons. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10958. [PMID: 38435017 PMCID: PMC10905236 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is a leading cause of global biodiversity loss, yet cities can provide resources required by many species throughout the year. In recognition of this, cities around the world are adopting strategies to increase biodiversity. These efforts would benefit from a robust understanding of how natural and enhanced features in urbanized areas influence various taxa. We explored seasonal and spatial patterns in occupancy and taxonomic richness of birds and pollinators among office parks in Santa Clara County, California, USA, where natural features and commercial landscaping have generated variation in conditions across scales. We surveyed birds and insect pollinators, estimated multi-species occupancy and species richness, and found that spatial scale (local, neighborhood, and landscape scale), season, and urban sensitivity were all important for understanding how communities occupied sites. Features at the landscape (distance to streams or baylands) and local scale (tree canopy, shrub, or impervious cover) were the strongest predictors of avian occupancy in all seasons. Pollinator richness was influenced by local tree canopy and impervious cover in spring, and distance to baylands in early and late summer. We then predicted the relative contributions of different spatial scales to annual bird species richness by simulating "good" and "poor" quality sites based on influential covariates returned by the previous models. Shifting from poor to good quality conditions locally increased annual avian richness by up to 6.8 species with no predicted effect on the quality of the neighborhood. Conversely, sites of poor local and neighborhood scale quality in good-quality landscapes were predicted to harbor 11.5 more species than sites of good local- and neighborhood-scale quality in poor-quality landscapes. Finally, more urban-sensitive bird species were gained at good quality sites relative to urban tolerant species, suggesting that urban natural features at the local and landscape scales disproportionately benefited them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yiwei Wang
- San Francisco Bay Bird ObservatoryMilpitasCaliforniaUSA
| | - Erin E. Beller
- Real Estate and Workplace Services Sustainability Team, Google Inc.Mountain ViewCaliforniaUSA
| | - Erica N. Spotswood
- San Francisco Estuary InstituteRichmondCaliforniaUSA
- Second NatureOaklandCaliforniaUSA
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3
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Huang CW, Ooi JQ, Yau SY. The landscape ecological view of vertebrate species richness in urban areas across biogeographic realms. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16647. [PMID: 37789152 PMCID: PMC10547837 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43896-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how the spatial arrangement of remnant green spaces in cities complements biodiversity provides an opportunity for synergy between urban development and biological conservation. However, the geography of urbanization is shifting from Europe and North America to Asia and Africa, and more research is needed for fast-growing regions. To understand how shifting urbanization shapes biodiversity patterns, we analyzed the contribution of landscape factors in explaining vertebrate species richness in urban areas across biogeographic realms. We used variation partitioning to quantify and compare the relative importance of landscape factors (composition and configuration) and environmental factors (climate, elevation, and latitude) in explaining vertebrate species richness in landscapes with at least a million inhabitants across biogeographic realms. Our results pointed out that in the Indo-Malayan, the Afrotropical, and the Neotropical realm (on average of 16.46%) and China and India (11.88%), the influence of landscape factors on vertebrate species richness are significantly higher than that of the Palearctic and Nearctic realms (6.48%). Our findings outline the importance of landscape composition and configuration in shaping biodiversity patterns in regions with fast urban growth during the next two decades, such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeastern Asia. We suggest improving land governance and urban planning to construct eco-friendly landscape structures to mitigate biodiversity loss due to urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Wei Huang
- General Education Center, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 243303, Taiwan.
| | - Jia Qing Ooi
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Si Ying Yau
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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4
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Haight JD, Hall SJ, Fidino M, Adalsteinsson SA, Ahlers AA, Angstmann J, Anthonysamy WJB, Biro E, Collins MK, Dugelby B, Gallo T, Green AM, Hartley L, Jordan MJ, Kay CAM, Lehrer EW, Long RA, MacDougall B, Magle SB, Minier DE, Mowry C, Murray M, Nininger K, Pendergast ME, Remine KR, Ryan T, Salsbury C, Sander HA, Schell CJ, Șekercioğlu ÇH, Shier CJ, Simon KC, St Clair CC, Stankowich T, Stevenson CJ, Wayne L, Will D, Williamson J, Wilson L, Zellmer AJ, Lewis JS. Urbanization, climate and species traits shape mammal communities from local to continental scales. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1654-1666. [PMID: 37667002 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02166-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Human-driven environmental changes shape ecological communities from local to global scales. Within cities, landscape-scale patterns and processes and species characteristics generally drive local-scale wildlife diversity. However, cities differ in their structure, species pools, geographies and histories, calling into question the extent to which these drivers of wildlife diversity are predictive at continental scales. In partnership with the Urban Wildlife Information Network, we used occurrence data from 725 sites located across 20 North American cities and a multi-city, multi-species occupancy modelling approach to evaluate the effects of ecoregional characteristics and mammal species traits on the urbanization-diversity relationship. Among 37 native terrestrial mammal species, regional environmental characteristics and species traits influenced within-city effects of urbanization on species occupancy and community composition. Species occupancy and diversity were most negatively related to urbanization in the warmer, less vegetated cities. Additionally, larger-bodied species were most negatively impacted by urbanization across North America. Our results suggest that shifting climate conditions could worsen the effects of urbanization on native wildlife communities, such that conservation strategies should seek to mitigate the combined effects of a warming and urbanizing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Haight
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Sharon J Hall
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Mason Fidino
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Austin M Green
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Cria A M Kay
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Seth B Magle
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Maureen Murray
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Çagan H Șekercioğlu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Kelly C Simon
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lisa Wayne
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amanda J Zellmer
- Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jesse S Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ, USA
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5
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Knop E, Grimm ML, Korner-Nievergelt F, Schmid B, Liechti F. Patterns of high-flying insect abundance are shaped by landscape type and abiotic conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15114. [PMID: 37704700 PMCID: PMC10499926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42212-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects are of increasing conservation concern as a severe decline of both biomass and biodiversity have been reported. At the same time, data on where and when they occur in the airspace is still sparse, and we currently do not know whether their density is linked to the type of landscape above which they occur. Here, we combined data of high-flying insect abundance from six locations across Switzerland representing rural, urban and mountainous landscapes, which was recorded using vertical-looking radar devices. We analysed the abundance of high-flying insects in relation to meteorological factors, daytime, and type of landscape. Air pressure was positively related to insect abundance, wind speed showed an optimum, and temperature and wind direction did not show a clear relationship. Mountainous landscapes showed a higher insect abundance than the other two landscape types. Insect abundance increased in the morning, decreased in the afternoon, had a peak after sunset, and then declined again, though the extent of this general pattern slightly differed between landscape types. We conclude that the abundance of high-flying insects is not only related to abiotic parameters, but also to the type of landscapes and its characteristics, which, on a long-term, should be taken into account for when designing conservation measures for insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Knop
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Majken Leonie Grimm
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Felix Liechti
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Switzerland
- Swiss Birdradar Solution, Winterthur, Switzerland
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6
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Zhang S, Zhao J, Yao M. Urban landscape-level biodiversity assessments of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates by environmental DNA metabarcoding. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 340:117971. [PMID: 37119629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Globally, expansive urbanization profoundly alters natural habitats and the associated biota. Monitoring biodiversity in cities can provide essential information for conservation management, but the complexity of urban landscapes poses serious challenges to conventional observational and capture-based surveys. Here we assessed pan-vertebrate biodiversity, including both aquatic and terrestrial taxa, using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampled from 109 water sites across Beijing, China. Using eDNA metabarcoding with a single primer set (Tele02), we detected 126 vertebrate species, including 73 fish, 39 birds, 11 mammals, and 3 reptiles belonging to 91 genera, 46 families, and 22 orders. The probability of detection from eDNA varied substantially among species and was related to their lifestyle, as shown by the greater detectability of fish compared to that of terrestrial and arboreal (birds and mammals) groups, as well as the greater detectability of water birds compared to that of forest birds (Wilcoxon rank-sum test p = 0.007). Furthermore, the eDNA detection probabilities across all vertebrates (Wilcoxon rank-sum test p = 0.009), as well as for birds (p < 0.001), were higher at lentic sites in comparison with lotic sites. Also, the detected biodiversity was positively correlated with lentic waterbody size for fish (Spearman p = 0.012), but not for other groups. Our results demonstrate the capacity of eDNA metabarcoding to efficiently surveil diverse vertebrate communities across an extensive spatial scale in heterogenous urban landscapes. With further methodological development and optimization, the eDNA approach has great potential for non-invasive, efficient, economic, and timely assessments of biodiversity responses to urbanization, thus guiding city ecosystem conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jindong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Meng Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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7
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Deviche P, Sweazea K, Angelier F. Past and future: Urbanization and the avian endocrine system. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 332:114159. [PMID: 36368439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Urban environments are evolutionarily novel and differ from natural environments in many respects including food and/or water availability, predation, noise, light, air quality, pathogens, biodiversity, and temperature. The success of organisms in urban environments requires physiological plasticity and adjustments that have been described extensively, including in birds residing in geographically and climatically diverse regions. These studies have revealed a few relatively consistent differences between urban and non-urban conspecifics. For example, seasonally breeding urban birds often develop their reproductive system earlier than non-urban birds, perhaps in response to more abundant trophic resources. In most instances, however, analyses of existing data indicate no general pattern distinguishing urban and non-urban birds. It is, for instance, often hypothesized that urban environments are stressful, yet the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis does not differ consistently between urban and non-urban birds. A similar conclusion is reached by comparing blood indices of metabolism. The origin of these disparities remains poorly understood, partly because many studies are correlative rather than aiming at establishing causality, which effectively limits our ability to formulate specific hypotheses regarding the impacts of urbanization on wildlife. We suggest that future research will benefit from prioritizing mechanistic approaches to identify environmental factors that shape the phenotypic responses of organisms to urbanization and the neuroendocrine and metabolic bases of these responses. Further, it will be critical to elucidate whether factors affect these responses (a) cumulatively or synergistically; and (b) differentially as a function of age, sex, reproductive status, season, and mobility within the urban environment. Research to date has used various taxa that differ greatly not only phylogenetically, but also with regard to ecological requirements, social systems, propensity to consume anthropogenic food, and behavioral responses to human presence. Researchers may instead benefit from standardizing approaches to examine a small number of representative models with wide geographic distribution and that occupy diverse urban ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Deviche
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Karen Sweazea
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Frederic Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372, CNRS - La Rochelle Universite, Villiers en Bois, France
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8
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Abstract
AbstractInvertebrates comprise the most diversified animal group on Earth. Due to their long evolutionary history and small size, invertebrates occupy a remarkable range of ecological niches, and play an important role as “ecosystem engineers” by structuring networks of mutualistic and antagonistic ecological interactions in almost all terrestrial ecosystems. Urban forests provide critical ecosystem services to humans, and, as in other systems, invertebrates are central to structuring and maintaining the functioning of urban forests. Identifying the role of invertebrates in urban forests can help elucidate their importance to practitioners and the public, not only to preserve biodiversity in urban environments, but also to make the public aware of their functional importance in maintaining healthy greenspaces. In this review, we examine the multiple functional roles that invertebrates play in urban forests that contribute to ecosystem service provisioning, including pollination, predation, herbivory, seed and microorganism dispersal and organic matter decomposition, but also those that lead to disservices, primarily from a public health perspective, e.g., transmission of invertebrate-borne diseases. We then identify a number of ecological filters that structure urban forest invertebrate communities, such as changes in habitat structure, increased landscape imperviousness, microclimatic changes and pollution. We also discuss the complexity of ways that forest invertebrates respond to urbanisation, including acclimation, local extinction and evolution. Finally, we present management recommendations to support and conserve viable and diverse urban forest invertebrate populations into the future.
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9
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Svenningsen CS, Bowler DE, Hecker S, Bladt J, Grescho V, Dam NM, Dauber J, Eichenberg D, Ejrnæs R, Fløjgaard C, Frenzel M, Frøslev TG, Hansen AJ, Heilmann‐Clausen J, Huang Y, Larsen JC, Menger J, Nayan NLBM, Pedersen LB, Richter A, Dunn RR, Tøttrup AP, Bonn A. Flying insect biomass is negatively associated with urban cover in surrounding landscapes. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana E. Bowler
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena Institute of Biodiversity Jena Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
| | - Susanne Hecker
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
| | - Jesper Bladt
- Department of Bioscience – Biodiversity and Conservation Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Volker Grescho
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
| | - Nicole M. Dam
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena Institute of Biodiversity Jena Germany
| | - Jens Dauber
- Thünen‐Institute of Biodiversity Braunschweig Germany
| | - David Eichenberg
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
| | - Rasmus Ejrnæs
- Department of Bioscience – Biodiversity and Conservation Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Camilla Fløjgaard
- Department of Bioscience – Biodiversity and Conservation Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Mark Frenzel
- Department of Community Ecology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Halle Germany
| | - Tobias G. Frøslev
- Centre for GeoGenetics GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Anders J. Hansen
- Centre for GeoGenetics GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Jacob Heilmann‐Clausen
- Centre for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
| | - Jonas C. Larsen
- Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Juliana Menger
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus Brazil
| | - Nur L. B. M. Nayan
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
| | - Lene B. Pedersen
- Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Anett Richter
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
- Thünen‐Institute of Biodiversity Braunschweig Germany
| | - Robert R. Dunn
- Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Applied Ecology North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Anders P. Tøttrup
- Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Aletta Bonn
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena Institute of Biodiversity Jena Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig Germany
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10
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Sweet FST, Apfelbeck B, Hanusch M, Garland Monteagudo C, Weisser WW. Data from public and governmental databases show that a large proportion of the regional animal species pool occur in cities in Germany. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cities have been shown to be biodiverse, but it is unclear what fraction of a regional species pool can live within city borders and how this differs between taxa. Among animals, most research has focused on a few well-studied taxa, such as birds or butterflies. For other species, progress is limited by the paucity of data. We used species occurrence data for 11 taxa and 23 German cities from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the different German states, in a 50-km buffer around the city centre, to investigate what proportion of species of the regional species pools also occur in cities. While data could be obtained for all cities from GBIF, state databases only provided data for a subset of cities. Sample coverage of data from GBIF was higher across all taxa than of the state databases. For each database and taxon, we analysed (i) all cities where the number of occurrences of a taxon was >50 and (ii) only those cities where additionally sample coverage was >0.85. Across all taxa studied on average, 44.9 ± 7.2% (GBIF) and 40.8 ± 9.6% (German states) of the species of the regional species pool were also found in cities. When all cities were considered together, more than 76% of all species occurred within city borders. Our results show that German cities harbour a large part of the regional diversity of different taxa when city borders rather than the city centre is considered. This opens up ample opportunities for conservation and for fostering human–nature relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio S T Sweet
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising 85354, Germany
| | - Beate Apfelbeck
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising 85354, Germany
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron-Universität Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, Salzburg 5020, Austria
| | - Maximilian Hanusch
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising 85354, Germany
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, Paris-Lodron-Universität Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, Salzburg 5020, Austria
| | - Cynthia Garland Monteagudo
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising 85354, Germany
| | - Wolfgang W Weisser
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising 85354, Germany
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11
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Maher GM, Johnson GA, Burdine JD. Impervious surface and local abiotic conditions influence arthropod communities within urban greenspaces. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12818. [PMID: 35127289 PMCID: PMC8793725 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The abundance of arthropods is declining globally, and human-modification of natural habitat is a primary driver of these declines. Arthropod declines are concerning because arthropods mediate critical ecosystem functions, and sustained declines may lead to cascading trophic effects. There is growing evidence that properly managed urban environments can provide refugium to arthropods, but few cities have examined arthropods within urban greenspaces to evaluate their management efforts. In this study, we surveyed arthropod communities within a medium-sized, growing city. We investigated arthropod communities (abundance, richness, diversity, community composition) within 16 urban greenspaces across metropolitan Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA). We focused our efforts on urban gardens and pocket prairies, and measured environmental variables at each site. We collected 5,468 individual arthropods that spanned 14 taxonomic orders and 66 morphospecies. The results showed that community composition was influenced by impervious surface, white flower abundance, and humidity. Total arthropod abundance and diversity were positively associated with humidity. For specific orders, Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps) abundance was negatively associated with temperature, and positively associated with site perimeter-area ratio. Hemiptera (true bugs) were negatively associated with impervious surface and positively associated with humidity. These findings show that impervious surfaces impact arthropod communities, but many of the observed changes were driven by local abiotic conditions like temperature and humidity. This suggests that management decisions within urban greenspaces are important in determining the structure of arthropod communities. Future studies on arthropods in cities should determine whether manipulating the abiotic conditions of urban greenspaces influences the composition of arthropod communities. These results should inform city planners and homeowners of the need to properly manage urban greenspaces in cities to maintain diverse arthropod assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett M. Maher
- Division of Science and Kinesiology, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America
| | - Graham A. Johnson
- Division of Science and Kinesiology, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America
| | - Justin D. Burdine
- Division of Science and Kinesiology, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America
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12
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Barrientos-Roldán MJ, Abella-Medrano CA, Ibáñez-Bernal S, Sandoval-Ruiz CA. Landscape Anthropization Affects Mosquito Diversity in a Deciduous Forest in Southeastern Mexico. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:248-256. [PMID: 34477878 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are considered the group of insects that most impacts human health. Land use change, conversion of conserved sites into agricultural environments, urbanization, defaunation, and introduction of domestic animals can affect mosquito diversity positively or negatively, increasing the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases. Here, we describe the diversity of adult mosquitoes in two environments (deciduous forest and anthropized zone) over 2 yr (2014-2016), using eight CDC traps at each site in three climatic seasons (rainy, cold, and dry). We captured 795 individuals belonging to 22 species. We constructed rank-abundance curves to determine spatial and temporal changes in the mosquito communities. We measured alpha diversity using the Shannon index (H'), Shannon exponential (eH) and Simpson dominance (Ds), and beta diversity using Jaccard's coefficient of similarity (Ij). The most abundant species were Culex quinquefasciatus (40.5%), Culex coronator (18.3%), and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis (12.4%). The highest mosquito diversity was in the deciduous forest during the rainy season. Beta diversity analysis showed that species overlap varied among climatic seasons, with the sites sharing 65% species during the rainy season, but only 33% of species during the dry season. We found differences in the diversity of mosquitoes at the two sites, and the mosquito assemblage of the anthropized zone was significantly different from that of the deciduous forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggi Janelly Barrientos-Roldán
- Laboratorio de Artropodología y Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Blvd. Valsequillo y Av. San Claudio. Edificio BIO 1, Ciudad Universitaria. Col. Jardines de San Manuel, C. P. 72570. Puebla, México
| | - Carlos Antonio Abella-Medrano
- Laboratorio de Artropodología y Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Blvd. Valsequillo y Av. San Claudio. Edificio BIO 1, Ciudad Universitaria. Col. Jardines de San Manuel, C. P. 72570. Puebla, México
| | - Sergio Ibáñez-Bernal
- Red de Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351. El Haya, Xalapa, C. P. 91073. Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - César Antonio Sandoval-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Artropodología y Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Blvd. Valsequillo y Av. San Claudio. Edificio BIO 1, Ciudad Universitaria. Col. Jardines de San Manuel, C. P. 72570. Puebla, México
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13
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Casanelles‐Abella J, Müller S, Keller A, Aleixo C, Alós Orti M, Chiron F, Deguines N, Hallikma T, Laanisto L, Pinho P, Samson R, Tryjanowski P, Van Mensel A, Pellissier L, Moretti M. How wild bees find a way in European cities: Pollen metabarcoding unravels multiple feeding strategies and their effects on distribution patterns in four wild bee species. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan Casanelles‐Abella
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems ETH Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Müller
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Alexander Keller
- Organismic and Cellular Interactions Biocenter Faculty of Biology Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Martinsried Germany
| | - Cristiana Aleixo
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
| | - Marta Alós Orti
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Estonian University of Life Sciences Tartu Estonia
| | - François Chiron
- Université Paris‐SaclayCNRSAgroParisTechEcologie Systématique Evolution Orsay France
| | - Nicolas Deguines
- Université Paris‐SaclayCNRSAgroParisTechEcologie Systématique Evolution Orsay France
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose Université de PoitiersUMR CNRS Nouvelle‐Aquitaine France
| | - Tiit Hallikma
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Estonian University of Life Sciences Tartu Estonia
| | - Lauri Laanisto
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Estonian University of Life Sciences Tartu Estonia
| | - Pedro Pinho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
| | - Roeland Samson
- Laboratory of Environmental and Urban Ecology Department of Bioscience Engineering University of Antwerp Antwerp Belgium
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Department of Zoology Poznan University of Life Sciences Poznań Poland
| | - Anskje Van Mensel
- Laboratory of Environmental and Urban Ecology Department of Bioscience Engineering University of Antwerp Antwerp Belgium
| | - Loïc Pellissier
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems ETH Zurich Zurich Switzerland
- Land Change Science Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
| | - Marco Moretti
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
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14
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Abir FA, Ahmmed S, Sarker SH, Fahim AU. Thermal and ecological assessment based on land surface temperature and quantifying multivariate controlling factors in Bogura, Bangladesh. Heliyon 2021; 7:e08012. [PMID: 34589630 PMCID: PMC8461360 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the world has shown considerable concerns about environmental degradation accompanied by urban expansion. In terms of size, Bogura is equivalent to most of the major cities in Bangladesh, yet no thermal and ecological assessment has ever been conducted here. This study uses multitemporal Landsat satellite images between 2001 and 2020 to investigate the thermal and ecological conditions of Bogura Sadar (sub-district). Land surface temperature (LST) is obtained from Landsat images using the widely used radiative transfer equation. The thermal and ecological conditions are evaluated by computing urban heat island (UHI) and urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI) from LST data. The influence of vegetation, built-area, water-body, and bare soil on LST are examined using land cover indices through pixel-level multivariate linear regression analysis. According to the findings of this sub-district-scale (urban and rural areas) study, the mean LST has increased by 0.62 °C in the last 20 years. As per local administrative-wise findings, LST has increased in most areas, regardless of their urban or rural function. The difference between the urban area and the rest of the surroundings was significant (1.74 °C) in 2020. In 2001, UHI affected area was 5.65 km2, which expanded to 8.84 km2 in 2020. Thermal and ecological conditions are worse in urban areas than its surrounding areas. The regression models of the LST and land cover indices could explain more than half (R2: 0.66 to 0.73) of LST variation over the years. Land cover could explain the LST in 2020 to the least extent implying that anthropogenic activities have greater influence than earlier. Land cover could explain less than half of the LST variation in the urban area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Asaf Abir
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Rajapur, Pabna, 6600, Bangladesh
| | - Sabbir Ahmmed
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Rajapur, Pabna, 6600, Bangladesh
| | - Soykot Hossain Sarker
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Rajapur, Pabna, 6600, Bangladesh
| | - Ashraf Uddin Fahim
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Rajapur, Pabna, 6600, Bangladesh
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15
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COVID-19 Pandemic Turns Life-Science Students into “Citizen Scientists”: Data Indicate Multiple Negative Effects of Urbanization on Biota. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13052992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions strongly affect the higher education community and require diverse teaching strategies. We designed a course where we combined online teaching with independently conducted ecological data collections by students using a “citizen science” approach. The aim was to analyze the impact of urbanization on biota by comparing urban and rural grasslands. Seventy-five students successfully conducted the data collections and the results provide evidence for prevailing negative effects of urbanization. Individual numbers of ground-dwelling invertebrates (−25%) and pollinating insects (−33%) were generally lower in urban sites. Moreover, animal and seed predation were reduced in urban grasslands, indicating the potential of urbanization to alter ecosystem functions. Despite the general limitations of online teaching and citizen science approaches, outcomes of this course showed this combination can be a useful teaching strategy, which is why this approach could be used to more actively involve students in scientific research.
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16
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Villarroya-Villalba L, Casanelles-Abella J, Moretti M, Pinho P, Samson R, Van Mensel A, Chiron F, Zellweger F, Obrist MK. Response of bats and nocturnal insects to urban green areas in Europe. Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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17
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Assemblages and seasonal patterns in butterflies across different ecosystems in a sub-tropical zone of Jammu Shiwaliks, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Trop Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42965-020-00139-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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18
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Wilke ABB, Vasquez C, Carvajal A, Ramirez M, Cardenas G, Petrie WD, Beier JC. Effectiveness of adulticide and larvicide in controlling high densities of Aedes aegypti in urban environments. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246046. [PMID: 33493238 PMCID: PMC7833233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Current management and control of Aedes aegypti populations in urban areas are based on the spraying of insecticides. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of spraying larvicide (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) using a truck-mounted Buffalo Turbine and adulticide (Deltamethrin) using a Grizzly ULV Sprayer in an urban area with high densities of Ae. aegypti and many cryptic and difficult to reach aquatic breeding habitats. Experiments were conducted in a tire shop located in Miami-Dade County, Florida with approximately 100,000 used airplane tires. Insecticide interventions were performed after a baseline survey consisting of 3 weeks of collections, followed by two insecticide interventions: (i) application of the adulticide followed by the application of larvicide on the subsequent week; and (ii) application of both adulticide and larvicide on two consecutive weeks. The first insecticide intervention resulted in a non-significant decrease in the relative abundance of Ae. aegypti. On the other hand, the second insecticide intervention significantly reduced the Ae. aegypti relative abundance (P < 0.002). Our results demonstrated that the combined insecticide interventions on two consecutive weeks significantly reduced the relative abundance of Ae. aegypti. This result indicated that the larvicide was successfully propelled reaching cryptical and difficult to reach aquatic habitats. However, even though the number of mosquitoes was greatly reduced, it was still greatly above the 10-mosquito threshold by trap night used by the Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Division to deploy an inspector to survey the area. Considering the lack of new and effective mosquito control tools, efficient and mobile insecticide propellers such as Buffalo Turbine can be of great help to manage mosquito populations in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- André B. B. Wilke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Chalmers Vasquez
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Augusto Carvajal
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Monica Ramirez
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Gabriel Cardenas
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - William D. Petrie
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - John C. Beier
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
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19
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Spotswood EN, Beller EE, Grossinger R, Grenier JL, Heller NE, Aronson MFJ. The Biological Deserts Fallacy: Cities in Their Landscapes Contribute More than We Think to Regional Biodiversity. Bioscience 2021; 71:148-160. [PMID: 33613128 PMCID: PMC7882369 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cities are both embedded within and ecologically linked to their surrounding landscapes. Although urbanization poses a substantial threat to biodiversity, cities also support many species, some of which have larger populations, faster growth rates, and higher productivity in cities than outside of them. Despite this fact, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the potentially beneficial links between cities and their surroundings. We identify five pathways by which cities can benefit regional ecosystems by releasing species from threats in the larger landscape, increasing regional habitat heterogeneity and genetic diversity, acting as migratory stopovers, preadapting species to climate change, and enhancing public engagement and environmental stewardship. Increasing recognition of these pathways could help cities identify effective strategies for supporting regional biodiversity conservation and could provide a science-based platform for incorporating biodiversity alongside other urban greening goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin E Beller
- San Francisco Estuary Institute San Francisco, California in the United States. Erin E. Beller is the Urban Ecology Program manager for the Real Estate and Workplace Services Sustainability Team at Google, Mountain View, California, in the United States
| | - Robin Grossinger
- San Francisco Estuary Institute San Francisco, California in the United States. Erin E. Beller is the Urban Ecology Program manager for the Real Estate and Workplace Services Sustainability Team at Google, Mountain View, California, in the United States
| | - J Letitia Grenier
- San Francisco Estuary Institute San Francisco, California in the United States. Erin E. Beller is the Urban Ecology Program manager for the Real Estate and Workplace Services Sustainability Team at Google, Mountain View, California, in the United States
| | - Nicole E Heller
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Myla F J Aronson
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
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20
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Armstrong JH, Kulikowski AJ, Philpott SM. Urban renewable energy and ecosystems: integrating vegetation with ground-mounted solar arrays increases arthropod abundance of key functional groups. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Petersen TK, Speed JDM, Grøtan V, Austrheim G. Urban aliens and threatened near-naturals: Land-cover affects the species richness of alien- and threatened species in an urban-rural setting. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8513. [PMID: 32444662 PMCID: PMC7244569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65459-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanisation has strong effects on biodiversity patterns, but impacts vary among species groups and across spatial scales. From a local biodiversity management perspective, a more general understanding of species richness across taxonomic groups is required. This study aims to investigate how fine-scale land-cover variables influence species richness patterns of locally threatened and alien species. The study was performed in Trondheim, Norway, covering a steep urbanisation gradient. Spatially correlated Generalised Linear Mixed Effects Models predicting the number of all-, threatened-and alien species by taxon, habitat, habitat heterogeneity and mean aspect within 500 m×500 m grid cells were constructed. The habitat categories were based on detailed land-cover maps. The highest number of threatened species was found in habitats relatively less affected by humans, whereas the number of alien species were only dependent on taxonomic group and spatial correlation. It is shown that land-cover variables within an administrative border can be used to make predictions on species richness within overarching species groups. Recommendations to biodiversity management agencies are to ensure protection of natural habitats to favour locally threatened species, and closely monitor urban areas to mitigate the introduction and spread of alien species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja K Petersen
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gt 47b, Trondheim, Norway. .,Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, NTNU, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - James D M Speed
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gt 47b, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vidar Grøtan
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, NTNU, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gunnar Austrheim
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gt 47b, Trondheim, Norway
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22
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Piano E, Souffreau C, Merckx T, Baardsen LF, Backeljau T, Bonte D, Brans KI, Cours M, Dahirel M, Debortoli N, Decaestecker E, De Wolf K, Engelen JMT, Fontaneto D, Gianuca AT, Govaert L, Hanashiro FTT, Higuti J, Lens L, Martens K, Matheve H, Matthysen E, Pinseel E, Sablon R, Schön I, Stoks R, Van Doninck K, Van Dyck H, Vanormelingen P, Van Wichelen J, Vyverman W, De Meester L, Hendrickx F. Urbanization drives cross-taxon declines in abundance and diversity at multiple spatial scales. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:1196-1211. [PMID: 31755626 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The increasing urbanization process is hypothesized to drastically alter (semi-)natural environments with a concomitant major decline in species abundance and diversity. Yet, studies on this effect of urbanization, and the spatial scale at which it acts, are at present inconclusive due to the large heterogeneity in taxonomic groups and spatial scales at which this relationship has been investigated among studies. Comprehensive studies analysing this relationship across multiple animal groups and at multiple spatial scales are rare, hampering the assessment of how biodiversity generally responds to urbanization. We studied aquatic (cladocerans), limno-terrestrial (bdelloid rotifers) and terrestrial (butterflies, ground beetles, ground- and web spiders, macro-moths, orthopterans and snails) invertebrate groups using a hierarchical spatial design, wherein three local-scale (200 m × 200 m) urbanization levels were repeatedly sampled across three landscape-scale (3 km × 3 km) urbanization levels. We tested for local and landscape urbanization effects on abundance and species richness of each group, whereby total richness was partitioned into the average richness of local communities and the richness due to variation among local communities. Abundances of the terrestrial active dispersers declined in response to local urbanization, with reductions up to 85% for butterflies, while passive dispersers did not show any clear trend. Species richness also declined with increasing levels of urbanization, but responses were highly heterogeneous among the different groups with respect to the richness component and the spatial scale at which urbanization impacts richness. Depending on the group, species richness declined due to biotic homogenization and/or local species loss. This resulted in an overall decrease in total richness across groups in urban areas. These results provide strong support to the general negative impact of urbanization on abundance and species richness within habitat patches and highlight the importance of considering multiple spatial scales and taxa to assess the impacts of urbanization on biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Piano
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Life Sciences and System Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Caroline Souffreau
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Merckx
- Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Group, Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Lisa F Baardsen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thierry Backeljau
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Brussels, Belgium
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristien I Brans
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie Cours
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Natural Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxime Dahirel
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Evolution Unit, Université de Rennes 1 (CNRS), Rennes, France
| | - Nicolas Debortoli
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, URBE, NAXYS, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | | | - Katrien De Wolf
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Brussels, Belgium
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jessie M T Engelen
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Water Research Institute, Verbania-Pallanza, Italy
| | - Andros T Gianuca
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Ecology, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Lynn Govaert
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Fabio T T Hanashiro
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Janet Higuti
- Centre of Research in Limnology, Ichthyology and Aquaculture/PEA, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Luc Lens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Martens
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Natural Environment, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Limnology, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hans Matheve
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Erik Matthysen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eveline Pinseel
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Research Department, Meise Botanic Garden, Meise, Belgium
| | - Rose Sablon
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isa Schön
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Natural Environment, Brussels, Belgium
- Zoology Research Group, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Robby Stoks
- Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karine Van Doninck
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology, URBE, NAXYS, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Dyck
- Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Group, Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Pieter Vanormelingen
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Van Wichelen
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Aquatic Management, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc De Meester
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik Hendrickx
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Brussels, Belgium
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Piano E, Giuliano D, Isaia M. Islands in cities: Urbanization and fragmentation drive taxonomic and functional variation in ground arthropods. Basic Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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24
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Replacement of semi-natural cover with artificial substrates in urban parks causes a decline of house sparrows Passer domesticus in Mediterranean towns. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-00940-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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25
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Nguyen TT, Barber P, Harper R, Linh TVK, Dell B. Vegetation trends associated with urban development: The role of golf courses. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228090. [PMID: 32023270 PMCID: PMC7001943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, cities are growing rapidly in size and density and this has caused profound impacts on urban forest ecosystems. Urbanization requiring deforestation reduces ecosystem services that benefit both city dwellers and biodiversity. Understanding spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation changes associated with urbanization is thus a vital component of future sustainable urban development. We used Landsat time series data for three decades from 1988 to 2018 to characterize changes in vegetation cover and habitat connectivity in the Perth Metropolitan Area, in a rapidly urbanising Australian biodiversity hotspot, as a case study to understand the impacts of urbanization on urban forests. Moreover, as golf courses are a major component in urban areas, we assessed the role of golf courses in maintaining vegetation cover and creating habitat connectivity. To do this we employed (1) land use classification with post-classification change detection, and (2) Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA). Over 17,000 ha of vegetation were cleared and the area of vegetation contributing to biodiversity connectivity was reduced significantly over the three decades. The spatial patterns of vegetation loss and gain were different in each of the three decades (1988–2018) reflecting the implementation of urban planning. Furthermore, MSPA analysis showed that the reduction in vegetation cover led to habitat fragmentation with a significant decrease in the core and bridge classes and an increase in isolated patches in the urban landscape. Golf courses played a useful role in maintaining vegetation cover and contributing to connectivity in a regional biodiversity hotspot. Our findings suggest that for future urban expansion, urban planning needs to more carefully consider the impacts of deforestation on connectivity in the landscape. Moreover, there is a need to take into consideration opportunities for off-reserve conservation in smaller habitat fragments such as in golf courses in sustainable urban management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu Thi Nguyen
- Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF), Ha Noi, Vietnam
- Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Paul Barber
- Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- ArborCarbon Pty Ltd, East Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Richard Harper
- Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Tran Vu Khanh Linh
- Faculty of Forestry, Nong Lam University—Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Bernard Dell
- Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
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Udy KL, Reininghaus H, Scherber C, Tscharntke T. Plant–pollinator interactions along an urbanization gradient from cities and villages to farmland landscapes. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristy L. Udy
- Agroecology University of Goettingen Grisebachstr. 6 Gottingen37077Germany
| | - Hannah Reininghaus
- Agroecology University of Goettingen Grisebachstr. 6 Gottingen37077Germany
- Institute of Landscape Ecology University of Muenster Heisenbergstr. 2 Munster48149Germany
| | - Christoph Scherber
- Agroecology University of Goettingen Grisebachstr. 6 Gottingen37077Germany
- Institute of Landscape Ecology University of Muenster Heisenbergstr. 2 Munster48149Germany
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology University of Goettingen Grisebachstr. 6 Gottingen37077Germany
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A Conceptual Framework for Choosing Target Species for Wildlife-Inclusive Urban Design. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11246972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has highlighted the significance of cities for biodiversity, making them important places for conservation in their own right. Current conservation approaches in cities are mostly defensive. Thus, they focus on remnant pockets of natural areas or try to protect particular species that occur in the built environment. These approaches are vulnerable to further urban development and do not create habitats. An alternative strategy is to make wildlife an integral part of urban development and thereby create a new habitat in the built-up area. Here we address the challenge of choosing target species for such wildlife-inclusive urban design. The starting point of our conceptual framework is the regional species pool, which can be obtained from geo-referenced species data. The existing habitat types on and around the development site and dispersal barriers limit the species numbers to the local species potential. In the next step, the site’s potential for each species is analyzed—how can it be upgraded to host species given the planned development and the life-cycle of the species? For the final choice of target species, traits related to the human–animal interaction are considered. We suggest that stakeholders will be involved in the final species selection. Our approach differs from existing practice, such as expert choice of priority species, by (1) representing an open process where many species are potential targets of conservation, (2) the involvement of stakeholders in a participatory way. Our approach can also be used at larger spatial scales such as quarters or entire cities.
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Schirmer AE, Gallemore C, Liu T, Magle S, DiNello E, Ahmed H, Gilday T. Mapping behaviorally relevant light pollution levels to improve urban habitat planning. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11925. [PMID: 31417105 PMCID: PMC6695421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial nighttime lights have important behavioral and ecological effects on wildlife. Combining laboratory and field techniques, we identified behaviorally relevant levels of nighttime light and mapped the extent of these light levels across the city of Chicago. We began by applying a Gaussian finite mixture model to 998 sampled illumination levels around Chicago to identify clusters of light levels. A simplified sample of these levels was replicated in the laboratory to identify light levels at which C57BL/6J mice exhibited altered circadian activity patterns. We then used camera trap and high-altitude photographic data to compare our field and laboratory observations, finding activity pattern changes in the field consistent with laboratory observations. Using these results, we mapped areas across Chicago exposed to estimated illumination levels above the value associated with statistically significant behavioral changes. Based on this measure, we found that as much as 36% of the greenspace in the city is in areas illuminated at levels greater than or equal to those at which we observe behavioral differences in the field and in the laboratory. Our findings provide evidence that artificial lighting patterns may influence wildlife behavior at a broad scale throughout urban areas, and should be considered in urban habitat planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron E Schirmer
- Northeastern Illinois University, Dept. of Biology, 5500 St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, USA.
| | - Caleb Gallemore
- Lafayette College, International Affairs Program, 730 High St., Easton, PA, 18042, USA
| | - Ting Liu
- Northeastern Illinois University, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, 5500 St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, USA
| | - Seth Magle
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Urban Wildlife Institute, 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA
| | - Elisabeth DiNello
- Northeastern Illinois University, Dept. of Biology, 5500 St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, USA
| | - Humerah Ahmed
- Northeastern Illinois University, Dept. of Biology, 5500 St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, USA
| | - Thomas Gilday
- Northeastern Illinois University, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, 5500 St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, USA
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Dennis M, Scaletta KL, James P. Evaluating urban environmental and ecological landscape characteristics as a function of land-sharing-sparing, urbanity and scale. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215796. [PMID: 31344035 PMCID: PMC6657829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Within urban landscape planning, debate continues around the relative merits of land-sharing (sprawl) and land-sparing (compaction) scenarios. Using three of the ten districts in Greater Manchester (UK) as a case-study, we present a landscape approach to mapping green infrastructure and variation in social-ecological-environmental conditions as a function of land sharing and sparing. We do so for the landscape as a whole and in a more focussed approach for areas of high and low urbanity. Results imply potential trade-offs between land-sharing-sparing scenarios relevant to characteristics critical to urban resilience such as landscape connectivity and diversity, air quality, surface temperature, and access to green space. These trade-offs are complex due to the parallel influence of patch attributes such as land-cover and size and imply that both ecological restoration and spatial planning have a role to play in reconciling tensions between land-sharing and sparing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dennis
- Department of Geography, School of Environment Education and Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Katherine L. Scaletta
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip James
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford, United Kingdom
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Corcos D, Cerretti P, Caruso V, Mei M, Falco M, Marini L. Impact of urbanization on predator and parasitoid insects at multiple spatial scales. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214068. [PMID: 30943220 PMCID: PMC6447152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Landscapes are becoming increasingly urbanized, causing loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, with potentially negative effects on biodiversity. Insects are among the organisms with the largest diversity in urbanized environments. Here, we sampled predator (Ampulicidae, Sphecidae and Crabronidae) and parasitoid (Tachinidae) flower-visiting insects in 36 sites in the city of Rome (Italy). Although the diversity of herbivorous insects in urban areas mostly depends on the availability of flowering plants and nesting sites, predators and parasitoids generally require a larger number of resources during their life cycle, and are expected to be particularly influenced by urbanization. As flower-visitors can easily move between habitat patches, the effect of urbanization was tested at multiple spatial scales (local, landscape and sub-regional). We found that urbanization influenced predator and parasitoid flower-visitors at all three spatial scales. At the local scale, streets and buildings negatively influenced evenness of predators and species richness and abundance of parasitoids probably acting as dispersal barrier. At the landscape scale, higher percentage of urban decreased predator abundance, while increasing their evenness, suggesting an increase in generalist and highly mobile species. Area and compactness (i.e. Contiguity index) of urban green interactively influenced predator communities, whereas evenness of parasitoids increased with increasing Contiguity index. At the sub-regional scale, species richness and abundance of predators increased with increasing distance from the city center. Compared to previous studies testing the effect of urbanization, we found little variation in species richness, abundance and evenness along our urbanization gradient. The current insect fauna has been probably selected for its tolerance to habitat loss and fragmentation, being the result of the intensive anthropogenic alteration occurred in the area in the last centuries. Conservation strategies aimed at predator and parasitoid flying insects have to take in account variables at multiple spatial-scales, as well as the complementarity of resources across the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Corcos
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Legnaro (Padua), Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Pierfilippo Cerretti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Caruso
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mei
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Falco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Marini
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Legnaro (Padua), Italy
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Frank SD, Backe KM, McDaniel C, Green M, Widney S, Dunn RR. Exotic urban trees conserve similar natural enemy communities to native congeners but have fewer pests. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6531. [PMID: 30867988 PMCID: PMC6409088 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban trees serve a critical conservation function by supporting arthropod and vertebrate communities but are often subject to arthropod pest infestations. Native trees are thought to support richer arthropod communities than exotic trees but may also be more susceptible to herbivorous pests. Exotic trees may be less susceptible to herbivores but provide less conservation value as a consequence. We tested the hypotheses that native species in Acer and Quercus would have more herbivorous pests than exotic congeners and different communities of arthropod natural enemies. The density of scale insects, common urban tree pests, was greatest on a native Acer and a native Quercus than exotic congeners in both years of our research (2012 and 2016) and sometimes reached damaging levels. However, differences in predator and parasitoid abundance, diversity, and communities were not consistent between native and exotic species in either genus and were generally similar. For example, in 2012 neither predator nor parasitoid abundance differed among native and exotic Acer congeners but in 2016 a native species, A. saccharum, had the least of both groups. A native, Q. phellos, had significantly more predators and parasitoids in 2012 than its native and exotic congeners but no differences in 2016. Parasitoid communities were significantly different among Acer species and Quercus species due in each case to greater abundance of a single family on one native tree species. These native and exotic tree species could help conserve arthropod natural enemies and achieve pest management goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D. Frank
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kristi M. Backe
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Casey McDaniel
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Matthew Green
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Clemson University Arthropod Collection, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Sarah Widney
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Robert R. Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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A systems approach reveals urban pollinator hotspots and conservation opportunities. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 3:363-373. [PMID: 30643247 PMCID: PMC6445365 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0769-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas are often perceived to have lower biodiversity than the wider countryside, but a few small-scale studies suggest that some urban land uses can support substantial pollinator populations. We present a large-scale, well-replicated study of floral resources and pollinators in 360 sites incorporating all major land uses in four British cities. Using a systems approach, we developed Bayesian network models integrating pollinator dispersal and resource switching to estimate city-scale effects of management interventions on plant-pollinator community robustness to species loss. We show that residential gardens and allotments (community gardens) are pollinator ‘hotspots’: gardens due to their extensive area, and allotments due to their high pollinator diversity and leverage on city-scale plant-pollinator community robustness. Household income was positively associated with pollinator abundance in gardens, highlighting the influence of socio-economic factors. Our results underpin urban planning recommendations to enhance pollinator conservation, using increasing city-scale community robustness as our measure of success.
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33
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Ganser D, Mayr B, Albrecht M, Knop E. Wildflower strips enhance pollination in adjacent strawberry crops at the small scale. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11775-11784. [PMID: 30598775 PMCID: PMC6303775 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wildflower strips (WFS) are increasingly used to counteract the negative consequences of agricultural intensification. To date, it is poorly understood how WFS promote flower visitation and pollination services in nearby insect-pollinated crops. We therefore ask whether WFS enhance pollination service in adjacent strawberry crops, and how such an effect depends on the distance from WFS. Over 2 years, we examined the effects of experimentally sown WFS compared to grassy strips on pollination services in adjacent strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) crops across a total of 19 study sites. Moreover, we examined flower visitation, species richness and community composition of the most important insect pollinator taxa at different within-field locations varying in distance to WFS. We found increased pollination services at the edge of WFS compared to locally reduced pollination services at the center, which resulted in no significant difference in seed set between WFS and control fields. Total flower visits and species richness of pollinators were higher in WFS than in adjacent strawberry fields. Moreover, wild bee visitation was enhanced in adjacent strawberry crops near WFS compared to field centers, and intermediate at field edges near grassy strips. Our study demonstrates that diverse WFS can increase wild bee visitation and pollination services in the field edges of adjacent strawberry crops, but that overall visitation and pollination services do not increase. Moreover, our findings show that major pollinator taxa exhibit distinct responses, resulting in a shift of pollinator community composition as a function of distance to WFS with direct effects on crop pollination. Our results that WFS enhance rather than reduce crop pollination services near WFS should distract possible concerns by farmers that WFS may locally absorb rather than export crop pollinators. Considering the spatial restricted enhancement of wild bees and associated pollination services we suggest to establish WFS in the center of crop fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Ganser
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Barbara Mayr
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | | | - Eva Knop
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
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34
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Aguilera G, Ekroos J, Persson AS, Pettersson LB, Öckinger E. Intensive management reduces butterfly diversity over time in urban green spaces. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0818-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Geospatial Analysis of Horizontal and Vertical Urban Expansion Using Multi-Spatial Resolution Data: A Case Study of Surabaya, Indonesia. REMOTE SENSING 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/rs10101599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization addresses urban expansion, and it leads conversion of the green space into the built-up area. However, previous studies mainly focused on two-dimensional (2D) urban expansion rather than three-dimensional (3D) growth. Here, the purpose of this study is to examine the urban expansion, including built-up and green space for both horizontal and vertical dimensions using geospatial analysis including remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in the sub-Central Business District (CBD) area of Surabaya, Indonesia. The medium resolution remote sensing data for both image and Digital Surface Model (DSM) acquired by Advanced Land-Observing Satellite (ALOS) were applied for time-1 (2010). The orthophoto and DSM derived by LiDAR were used for time-2 (2016). We quantified the built-up and green expansions in 2D (area), which were extracted from land use/land cover (LU/LC) by applying hybrid classification. The built-up and green expansions in 3D (volume) were estimated by generating a surface feature model. The spatial configuration of area expansion was investigated using patch metric, while the volume growth was examined using the volume expansion rate. We got three findings. (1) The built-up and green area had expanded about 11.54% and 95.61%, respectively, from 2010 to 2016. The expansion of green area presented in a notable portion, which was mainly contributed by the conversion of bareland to playground or park. However, the expansion of built-up area was less than the volume expansion of 20.6%. It revealed that built-up growth led to vertical rather than horizontal development. (2) The built-up area expansion tended to scatter configuration, whereas, the green area expansion tended to aggregate in a linear pattern. (3) The ratio of built-up volume expansion to green volume expansion showed a mean of 3.7, indicating that the development of built-up and green volume was imbalanced. The built-up growth presented higher than the green growth, mainly in the areas with more vertical building establishment. The pressing need for higher green volume in the study area was identified in several sites located at surrounding artery and toll roads. Overall, our approach can be applied as a reference in monitoring neighborhood environment through greening programs for sustainable urban development.
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Phillips JN, Berlow M, Derryberry EP. The Effects of Landscape Urbanization on the Gut Microbiome: An Exploration Into the Gut of Urban and Rural White-Crowned Sparrows. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Reducing management intensity and isolation as promising tools to enhance ground-dwelling arthropod diversity in urban grasslands. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0786-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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39
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Durán-Luz J, Sandoval-Ruiz CA, Ibáñez-Bernal S. Phlebotominae and Trichomyiinae (Diptera: Psychodidae) diversity in a tropical dry forest of central Mexico: a comparison of conserved and anthropized habitats. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2018.1486496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juana Durán-Luz
- Laboratorio de Artropodología y Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla, Mexico
- Red Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa, Mexico
| | - César Antonio Sandoval-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Artropodología y Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Sergio Ibáñez-Bernal
- Red Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa, Mexico
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40
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Frey D, Vega K, Zellweger F, Ghazoul J, Hansen D, Moretti M. Predation risk shaped by habitat and landscape complexity in urban environments. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Frey
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology; Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL; Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems; Ecosystem Management; ETH Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Kevin Vega
- Institute of Integrative Biology; Plant Ecological Genetics; ETH Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Florian Zellweger
- Landscape Dynamics and Remote Sensing; Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL; Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Forest Ecology and Conservation Group; Department of Plant Sciences; University of Cambridge; Cambridge UK
| | - Jaboury Ghazoul
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems; Ecosystem Management; ETH Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Dennis Hansen
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Marco Moretti
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology; Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL; Birmensdorf Switzerland
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Uchida K, Fujimoto H, Ushimaru A. Urbanization promotes the loss of seasonal dynamics in the semi-natural grasslands of an East Asian megacity. Basic Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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42
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Luder K, Knop E, Menz MHM. Contrasting responses in community structure and phenology of migratory and non-migratory pollinators to urbanization. DIVERS DISTRIB 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Luder
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Eva Knop
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Myles H. M. Menz
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
- School of Biological Sciences; The University of Western Australia; Crawley WA Australia
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Kozlov MV, Lanta V, Zverev V, Rainio K, Kunavin MA, Zvereva EL. Decreased losses of woody plant foliage to insects in large urban areas are explained by bird predation. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:4354-4364. [PMID: 28317226 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the increasing rate of urbanization, the consequences of this process on biotic interactions remain insufficiently studied. Our aims were to identify the general pattern of urbanization impact on background insect herbivory, to explore variations in this impact related to characteristics of both urban areas and insect-plant systems, and to uncover the factors governing urbanization impacts on insect herbivory. We compared the foliar damage inflicted on the most common trees by defoliating, leafmining and gall-forming insects in rural and urban habitats associated with 16 European cities. In two of these cities, we explored quality of birch foliage for herbivorous insects, mortality of leafmining insects due to predators and parasitoids and bird predation on artificial plasticine larvae. On average, the foliage losses to insects were 16.5% lower in urban than in rural habitats. The magnitude of the overall adverse effect of urbanization on herbivory was independent of the latitude of the locality and was similar in all 11 studied tree species, but increased with an increase in the size of the urban area: it was significant in large cities (city population 1-5 million) but not significant in medium-sized and small towns. Quality of birch foliage for herbivorous insects was slightly higher in urban habitats than in rural habitats. At the same time, leafminer mortality due to ants and birds and the bird attack intensity on dummy larvae were higher in large cities than in rural habitats, which at least partially explained the decline in insect herbivory observed in response to urbanization. Our findings underscore the importance of top-down forces in mediating impacts of urbanization on plant-feeding insects: factors favouring predators may override the positive effects of temperature elevation on insects and thus reduce plant damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V Kozlov
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Vojtěch Lanta
- Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Vitali Zverev
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Kalle Rainio
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Mikhail A Kunavin
- Department of Human Physiology and Morphology, High School of Natural Sciences and Technologies, Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Arkhangelsk, Russia
| | - Elena L Zvereva
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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45
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Piano E, De Wolf K, Bona F, Bonte D, Bowler DE, Isaia M, Lens L, Merckx T, Mertens D, van Kerckvoorde M, De Meester L, Hendrickx F. Urbanization drives community shifts towards thermophilic and dispersive species at local and landscape scales. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:2554-2564. [PMID: 27997069 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The increasing conversion of agricultural and natural areas to human-dominated urban landscapes is predicted to lead to a major decline in biodiversity worldwide. Two conditions that typically differ between urban environments and the surrounding landscape are increased temperature, and high patch isolation and habitat turnover rates. However, the extent and spatial scale at which these altered conditions shape biotic communities through selection and/or filtering on species traits are currently poorly understood. We sampled carabid beetles at 81 sites in Belgium using a hierarchically nested sampling design wherein three local-scale (200 × 200 m) urbanization levels were repeatedly sampled across three landscape-scale (3 × 3 km) urbanization levels. First, we showed that communities sampled in the most urbanized locations and landscapes displayed a distinct species composition at both local and landscape scale. Second, we related community means of species-specific thermal preferences and dispersal capacity (based on European distribution and wing morphology, respectively) to the urbanization gradients. We showed that urban communities consisted on average of species with a preference for higher temperatures and with better dispersal capacities compared to rural communities. These shifts were caused by an increased number of species tolerating higher temperatures, a decreased richness of species with low thermal preference, and an almost complete depletion of species with very low-dispersal capacity in the most urbanized localities. Effects of urbanization were most clearly detected at the local scale, although more subtle effects could also be found at the scale of entire landscapes. Our results demonstrate that urbanization may fundamentally and consistently alter species composition by exerting a strong filtering effect on species dispersal characteristics and favouring replacement by warm-dwelling species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Piano
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
- Entomology Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katrien De Wolf
- Entomology Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Francesca Bona
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Diana E Bowler
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Isaia
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Luc Lens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Merckx
- Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Group, Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Croix du Sud 2, 1348, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Daan Mertens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Marc van Kerckvoorde
- Entomology Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc De Meester
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Ch. De Bériotstraat 32, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik Hendrickx
- Entomology Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Biology Department, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium
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46
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Blicharska M, Andersson J, Bergsten J, Bjelke U, Hilding-Rydevik T, Thomsson M, Östh J, Johansson F. Is there a relationship between socio-economic factors and biodiversity in urban ponds? A study in the city of Stockholm. Urban Ecosyst 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-017-0673-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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47
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Piano E, Isaia M, Falasco E, La Morgia V, Soldato G, Bona F. Local versus landscape spatial influence on biodiversity: a case study across five European industrialized areas. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:126. [PMID: 28238172 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-5824-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Land use change-mostly habitat loss and fragmentation-has been recognized as one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide. According to the habitat amount hypothesis, these phenomena are mostly driven by the habitat area effect. As a result, species richness is a function of both the extent of suitable habitats and their availability in the surrounding landscape, irrespective of the dimension and isolation of patches of suitable habitat. In this context, we tested how the extent of natural areas, selected as proxies of suitable habitats for biodiversity, influences species richness in highly anthropogenic landscapes. We defined five circular sampling areas of 5 km radius, including both natural reserves and anthropogenic land uses, centred in five major industrial sites in France, Italy and Germany. We monitored different biodiversity indicators for both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including breeding birds, diurnal butterflies, grassland vegetation, odonata, amphibians, aquatic plants and benthic diatoms. We studied the response of the different indicators to the extent of natural land uses in the sampling area (local effect) and in the surrounding landscape (landscape effect), identified as a peripheral ring encircling the sampling area. Results showed a positive response of five out of seven biodiversity indicators, with aquatic plants and odonata responding positively to the local effect, while birds, vegetation and diatoms showed a positive response to the landscape effect. Diatoms also showed a significant combined response to both effects. We conclude that surrounding landscapes act as important biodiversity sources, increasing the local biodiversity in highly anthropogenic contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Piano
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - M Isaia
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy.
| | - E Falasco
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - V La Morgia
- ISPRA, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Via Ca' Fornacetta 9, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Soldato
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - F Bona
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
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48
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Hill MJ, Biggs J, Thornhill I, Briers RA, Gledhill DG, White JC, Wood PJ, Hassall C. Urban ponds as an aquatic biodiversity resource in modified landscapes. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:986-999. [PMID: 27476680 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization is a global process contributing to the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats. Many studies have focused on the biological response of terrestrial taxa and habitats to urbanization. However, little is known regarding the consequences of urbanization on freshwater habitats, especially small lentic systems. In this study, we examined aquatic macro-invertebrate diversity (family and species level) and variation in community composition between 240 urban and 782 nonurban ponds distributed across the United Kingdom. Contrary to predictions, urban ponds supported similar numbers of invertebrate species and families compared to nonurban ponds. Similar gamma diversity was found between the two groups at both family and species taxonomic levels. The biological communities of urban ponds were markedly different to those of nonurban ponds, and the variability in urban pond community composition was greater than that in nonurban ponds, contrary to previous work showing homogenization of communities in urban areas. Positive spatial autocorrelation was recorded for urban and nonurban ponds at 0-50 km (distance between pond study sites) and negative spatial autocorrelation was observed at 100-150 km and was stronger in urban ponds in both cases. Ponds do not follow the same ecological patterns as terrestrial and lotic habitats (reduced taxonomic richness) in urban environments; in contrast, they support high taxonomic richness and contribute significantly to regional faunal diversity. Individual cities are complex structural mosaics which evolve over long periods of time and are managed in diverse ways. This facilitates the development of a wide range of environmental conditions and habitat niches in urban ponds which can promote greater heterogeneity between pond communities at larger scales. Ponds provide an opportunity for managers and environmental regulators to conserve and enhance freshwater biodiversity in urbanized landscapes whilst also facilitating key ecosystem services including storm water storage and water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Hill
- Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK
| | - Jeremy Biggs
- Freshwater Habitats Trust, Bury Knowle House, Oxford, OX3 9HY, UK
| | | | - Robert A Briers
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - David G Gledhill
- Ecosystems & Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Peel Building, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - James C White
- Centre for Hydrological and Ecosystem Science, Department of Geography, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Paul J Wood
- Centre for Hydrological and Ecosystem Science, Department of Geography, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
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49
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Marteis LS, Natal D, Sallum MAM, Medeiros‐Sousa AR, Oliveira TMP, La Corte R. Mosquitoes of the Caatinga: 1. Adults stage survey and the emerge of seven news species endemic of a dry tropical forest in Brazil. Acta Trop 2017; 166:193-201. [PMID: 27876648 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The Caatinga is the least known Brazilian biome in terms of the diversity of Culicidae. No systematic study of the diversity or ecology of the mosquitoes of this biome is available, despite the importance of vector diseases in Brazil. The present study addressed the mosquito biodiversity in the Caatinga biome by sampling adult populations. Specimens were sampled monthly from March 2013 to September 2014 in a Caatinga conservation unit located in the Brazilian semiarid zone. Mosquito collections were carried out in Shannon traps from late afternoon to early evening, and manual aspiration was used to capture diurnal species as well. A total of 4,692 mosquitoes were collected. The most dominant and constant species were all undescribed species belonging to the genera Wyeomyia and Runchomyia, which together represented 80% of the specimens. The most abundant species of epidemiological importance was Haemagogus (Con.) leucocelaenus. The abundance of mosquitoes was positively associated with the relative humidity and temperature recorded during the month preceding the collection date. In the Caatinga, the diversity of adult mosquitoes was associated with the availability (quantity and diversity) of natural larval habitats found in the different phytophysiognomies of the biome, which vary according to temperature and humidity. The number of species unknown to science reflects the levels of endemism that exist in the study area, and reinforces the need to further taxonomic investigation in the biome.
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50
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Mata L, Threlfall CG, Williams NSG, Hahs AK, Malipatil M, Stork NE, Livesley SJ. Conserving herbivorous and predatory insects in urban green spaces. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40970. [PMID: 28102333 PMCID: PMC5244475 DOI: 10.1038/srep40970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects are key components of urban ecological networks and are greatly impacted by anthropogenic activities. Yet, few studies have examined how insect functional groups respond to changes to urban vegetation associated with different management actions. We investigated the response of herbivorous and predatory heteropteran bugs to differences in vegetation structure and diversity in golf courses, gardens and parks. We assessed how the species richness of these groups varied amongst green space types, and the effect of vegetation volume and plant diversity on trophic- and species-specific occupancy. We found that golf courses sustain higher species richness of herbivores and predators than parks and gardens. At the trophic- and species-specific levels, herbivores and predators show strong positive responses to vegetation volume. The effect of plant diversity, however, is distinctly species-specific, with species showing both positive and negative responses. Our findings further suggest that high occupancy of bugs is obtained in green spaces with specific combinations of vegetation structure and diversity. The challenge for managers is to boost green space conservation value through actions promoting synergistic combinations of vegetation structure and diversity. Tackling this conservation challenge could provide enormous benefits for other elements of urban ecological networks and people that live in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Mata
- Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia
| | - Caragh G. Threlfall
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Richmond 3121, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas S. G. Williams
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Richmond 3121, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria c/o School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amy K. Hahs
- Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria c/o School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mallik Malipatil
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3083, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nigel E. Stork
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Livesley
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Richmond 3121, Victoria, Australia
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