Evolution in an Urbanizing World
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is one of the most significant environmental changes of the past century.1 In 2020, there were approximately 361 million streetlights globally,2 and ALAN continues to increase at an alarming rate of 7%-10% per year.3 But how does this rapid expansion affect wildlife, particularly nocturnal creatures like bats? Research suggests that... Continue Reading →
In today’s urban environment, the constant presence of traffic noise is undeniable, infiltrating even the most hidden corners of the woods. Previous studies have shown that this anthropogenic noise negatively affects the welfare of both humans and other species. The fact that even unborn organisms experience negative effects is a worrying development, emphasizing the urgent... Continue Reading →
A number of years ago there was quite a lot of media attention regarding a possible case of in situ evolution of Culex pipiens form molestus in the London Underground metro system. This media buzz created speculation that this was a unique species that had risen during the over 160 year long existence of the... Continue Reading →
Have you ever seen a duck, goose, coot or any other waterbird laying long out on the ground or surface of the water? Do these birds look tired to you? If so, they might be suffering from botulism.Avian botulism, also known as Limberneck, is the most significant disease for migratory birds around the globe. Outbreaks... Continue Reading →
Darkness sets over India’s largest city. Of course, a city with a population exceeding 12 million people will never be truly dark. Or silent. Still, in those neighborhoods bordering Sanjay Gandhi National Park the vibrant city center feels far away. In this park the wild part of India is still visible as the densely vegetated... Continue Reading →
“Madrid declares war on plague of raccoon and parrot invaders” The Guardian (2013, July 22) “Toronto wages war on Raccoon Nation”The Canadian Press (2015, May 3) Many places have declared the war on raccoons in recent years. But is this war only making them stronger? Why declare war on racoons? The raccoon (Procyon lotor) originates... Continue Reading →
With the rapid expansion of the city, the degradation of the natural environment has gradually aroused widespread concern in society. In recent years, the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), one of the most iconic plants in the Sonoran Desert, has attracted the attention of ecologists because of its declining population and wildfires. They began to think... Continue Reading →
A statue of a fox, as long as 16 meters with a height of over 10 meters, with a bag between its teeth sits in the middle of the Dutch city Rotterdam (Smets, 2024). It is locally known as the Bospoldervos, created by Hofman in 2020. Not without reason, because precisely in this part of... Continue Reading →
Think about a classic urban species. The first ones that come to mind are usually rats, pigeons and cockroaches. I’d bet that less than 10% of people reading this thought of a reptile. With cockroaches (and possibly ants) being the exception, most big names of the city are birds and mammals. Rats, mice, squirrels, (feral)... Continue Reading →
If I were to ask a typical citizen what comes to mind when they hear the word 'nature,' they would likely think of jungles, oceans, and forests. Logical, because when the media talks about how 'nature is declining' it usually refers to declining 'natural' habitats such as coral reefs, the Amazon Rainforest or the polar... Continue Reading →
Unfortunately, I missed something of which I think is one of the most fantastic natural phenomena the world has to offer. Instead of watching a wonderful dance of light in the sky, I was sleeping… It all happened last Friday night (10th of May 2024). One of the most wonderful natural phenomena was visible above... Continue Reading →
Did you know that we are currently witnessing the largest extinction event on Earth in 250 million years? In this context, let’s delve into the crucial role of insects, even in our bustling cities. Contrary to what their small sizes might suggest, insects play a crucial role in our ecosystems. Without them, terrestrial and freshwater... Continue Reading →
Cats are a staple in human culture. They have been fed by us, housed by us, even worshipped by us, and are still helping us with many of our problems today — ranging from controlling pests to just being a cute companion. Exactly for this reason, the cat (Felis catus) has been taken alongside man... Continue Reading →
Domestic Cats (Felis silvestris catus; Felis catus) are a human commensal, said to have started their relationship with us during the era of the first settled farmers (approx. 12.000 years ago) within the Fertile Crescent region of the middle east.1 We took them into our homes and slowly transformed them into the royalty that a lot... Continue Reading →
Increasing artificial light In recent decades, the urban population has grown exponentially worldwide, with the expectation that the urban population will continue to increase the next decades. As cities expand, so does the reliance on artificial light sources to illuminate the night. This increases the visibility for humans when it is dark, but it can... Continue Reading →
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