The effects of urbanisation on ecological interactions

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52, P. 100922 - 100922

Published: April 28, 2022

Cities are expanding worldwide and urbanisation is considered a global threat to biodiversity. Urban ecology has provided important insights on how urban environmental changes might affect individuals, populations, species; however, we know little about the ecological impacts of alter species interactions. Species interactions backbone communities play crucial role in population community dynamics generation, maintenance structure Here, I review studies identify key mechanistic pathways through which processes could antagonistic mutualistic among species. More specifically, focus insect predation, parasitoidism herbivory, competition, host-pathogen interactions, pollination. furthermore knowledge gaps that require additional research attention suggest future directions may help shed light mechanisms will thus aid conservation management cities.

Language: Английский

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Examining the potential to expand wildlife-supporting residential yards and gardens

Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 222, P. 104396 - 104396

Published: March 12, 2022

Language: Английский

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Current street tree communities reflect race‐based housing policy and modern attempts to remedy environmental injustice

Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 104(2)

Published: Oct. 5, 2022

Humans promote and inhibit other species on the urban landscape, shaping biodiversity patterns. Institutional racism may underlie distribution of by creating disproportionate resources in space time. Here, we examine whether present-day street tree occupancy, diversity, composition Baltimore, MD, USA, neighborhoods reflect their 1937 classification into grades loan risk-from most desirable (A = green) to least (D "redlined")-using racially discriminatory criteria. We find that were redlined have consistently lower α-diversity are nine times less likely large (old) trees occupying a viable planting site. Simultaneously, locations recent activities, with high occupancy rate small (young) trees. However, community these young exhibited turnover reordering across compared those higher grades, due heavy reliance single species. Overall, while negative effects redlining remain detectable communities, there clear signs investment. A strategy diverse cohorts paired investments site rehabilitation maintenance be necessary if cities wish overcome ecological feedbacks associated legacies environmental injustice.

Language: Английский

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Substantial urbanization‐driven declines of larval and adult moths in a subtropical environment

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Recent work has shown the decline of insect abundance, diversity and biomass, with potential implications for ecosystem services. These declines are especially pronounced in regions high human activity, urbanization is emerging as a significant contributing factor. However, scale these traits that determine variation species‐specific responses remain less well understood, subtropical tropical regions, where urban footprints rapidly expanding. Here, we surveyed moths across an entire year protected forested sites gradient to test how caterpillar adult life stages (Lepidoptera) impacted by urbanization. Specifically, assess development affects total biomass caterpillars, abundance quantify richness phylogenetic macro‐moths development. Additionally, explore life‐history condition species' At community level, find decreases moth abundance. We also sharp response phylogeny, leading decrease species more sites. Finally, our study found smaller than larger environments, perhaps highlighting tradeoffs metabolic costs heat favoring over relative benefits dispersal moths. In summary, research underscores far‐reaching consequences on provides compelling evidence forests alone may not be sufficient safeguard biodiversity cities.

Language: Английский

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Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 178821 - 178821

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Assessing the effects of mowing intensity on the overwintering stem‐dwelling insect community of Solidago altissima L. (Asterales: Asteraceae)

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 22, 2025

Abstract Mowing is a commonly used and necessary practice in the management of urban meadowscapes. However, mowing also source mortality for insects these In this study, we examined how changes intensity mows performed late fall affect overwintering stem‐dwelling insects. We define as size thatch produced by selected equipment blade positioning. generate more information on spatial structure insect community meadowscapes, both within individual stems broader habitat. artificially simulated different levels Solidago altissima L. (Asterales: Asteraceae) cutting to lengths recorded their survival outcomes. found that low treatment yielded lower rates than no‐mow control high treatment. are distributed non‐random arrangement vertically meadowscape. These findings highlight importance understanding effects changing parameters when designing practices identify some new gaps our they may interact with disturbances.

Language: Английский

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Emerging Pests and Disease Vectors

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Environmental contaminants and insects: Genetic strategies for ecosystem and agricultural sustainability

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 982, P. 179660 - 179660

Published: May 17, 2025

Language: Английский

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Neglected puzzle pieces of urban green infrastructure: richness, cover, and composition of insect-pollinated plants in traffic-related green spaces

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(4)

Published: March 23, 2024

Abstract Context In cities, insect-pollinated vascular plants enhance environmental quality, support pollinators, and provide essential ecosystem services for citizens. However, floral communities associated with traffic-related green spaces are rarely considered valuable elements of urban infrastructure (UGI). Objectives The main objective this work was to assess if in Finland possess species-rich can assist ecological restoration—converting degraded areas into functionally diverse ecosystems. Thus, we evaluated richness, cover, community composition (emphasizing flowering ones) on traffic islands, parking lots, road verges. Methods assessment performed during the mean phenophase European boreal zone (July August) using a standard quadrat (1 m 2 ) placement method. We studied suburban locations three highly populated (> 170 000 inhabitants) Finnish cities—Helsinki, Tampere, Turku. There were 90 sampling sites 15 replicates per location type each city five measurement space (habitat) type. species assessed relation location, habitat type, city, average daily (ADT), distance road. Results Urban had lower total plant richness fewer indicator (characterized only by single species) compared species). Species time survey did not differ among locations. Traffic islands richer habitats than verges but from lots. Total vegetation cover increased an increasing Vegetation differed being higher irrespective ADT. all types, two most common yarrow Achillea millefolium autumn hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis which occurred at 70.2% 67.8% sites, respectively. ten (when present) low varied between 1.5 9.5% . Conclusions Similar (but might indicate equal importance provided cities location. Because lots contain rich communities, they should be better integrated UGI valued planners. Management intensity terms grass cuts ecologically justified. An increase number help improve quality pollinator biodiversity reducing pollution.

Language: Английский

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Variation in insect herbivory across an urbanization gradient: the role of abiotic factors and leaf secondary metabolites

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 215, P. 109056 - 109056

Published: Aug. 18, 2024

Urbanization impacts plant-herbivore interactions, which are crucial for ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. While some studies have reported reductions in insect herbivory urban areas (relative to rural or natural forests), this trend is not consistent the underlying causes variation remain unclear. We conducted a continental-scale study on along urbanization gradients three European tree species: Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, Fraxinus excelsior, further investigated their biotic abiotic correlates get at mechanisms. To end, we quantified leaf foliar secondary metabolites (phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids) 176 trees across eight cities. Additionally, collected data microclimate (air temperature) soil characteristics (pH, carbon, nutrients) test of effects directly indirectly (through changes plant chemistry) linked herbivory. Our results showed that was negatively associated with Q. robur F. but T. cordata. In addition, positively metabolite concentrations, only robur. air temperature nutrients (magnesium) case these variables were Contrary expectations, found no evidence indirect factors via defences either excelsior. Additional drivers must therefore be accounted explain observed interspecific variation.

Language: Английский

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