Recently, LITC contributor Sophie Brietbart and myself published a review in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution as part of a special issue on Arthropod Interactions and Responses to Disturbance in a Changing World.
Changes to the biotic and abiotic environment via urbanization present challenges not only to herbivorous arthropods, but also their host plants and predators, which in turn, influence plant-herbivore interactions (Figure 1).
We discuss the urban factors that can influence ecology and evolution. These factors include the urban heat island effect, light and chemical pollution, and habitat fragmentation and degradation.
These factors can change the physiology, phenology, behavior, and population dynamics of herbivorous arthropods. Interestingly, we found that there was no consistent effect, such that we are unable to predict exactly how an herbivorous arthropod will respond to these factors. In fact, when we looked at factors that influence the evolution of these arthropods, again we found no consistent predictable response. This could likely be due to the fact that research into herbivorous arthropods is scarce, such that we don’t really have enough data yet to identify patterns.
There is even less known about how urbanization impacts plant-herbivore interactions. We identified top-down, bottom-up, and tri-trophic effects that could take place, given what is known about these factors. Here again, we found that there was no consistent trend, likely because the lack of current research in this field.
The field of urban evolution is rapidly growing. However, we suggest that there may not be overarching trends given that the current literature suggests that many of the responses are taxon specific. We do suggest that specific areas of research could expand our knowledge of the field that would improve our understanding of the relationship between urban plants and herbivorous arthropods. There is an apparent paucity of studies in tropical cities, studies of evolutionary dynamics, the reciprocal eco-evolutionary feedbacks, and the influence that heterogeneity both within and between cities can have on organisms.
I am interested in urban ecology and evolution. Urbanization can have drastic impacts on local ecosystems, both negative and positive, and creates a new environment for organisms to experience. To understand the impacts that urbanization plays on organisms, I look through the lense of population genetics and molecular evolution.
- Urban Observation of the Week: Golden Jackal - July 28, 2021
- Urban Observation of the Week: Bellflowers in Munich - July 21, 2021
- Urban Observation of the Week: So Many Plants - July 14, 2021
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