Urbanization can have profound impacts on native wildlife leading to changes in wildlife community composition and behavior. However, to date most urban wildlife studies have occurred within larger cities, where wildlife habitat and connectivity are often limited. Thus, it is unclear whether the impacts of urbanization on wildlife observed in these previous studies similarly occur in smaller size cities where urban development and fragmentation may be less pronounced. To address these questions, we focused our efforts on three mid-size cities (range 127 000-202 000 people) in the Southeastern United States: Athens, Georgia, Jackson, Mississippi, and Little Rock, Arkansas. We used one year of camera trap data from each city using a standardized protocol following the Urban Wildlife Information Network, to evaluate how, and at what scale, socioeconomic and habitat characteristics relate to urban wildlife abundance across and within cities. We found that large spatial scales (i.e. 1000 m) best explained the relationship between species diversity and our habitat metrics and small spatial scales (i.e. 500 m) best explained the relationship with socioeconomic characteristics. At these scales, edge density had the greatest negative impact on species diversity similar to larger cities. However, individual differences within mid-size cities, such as wildlife habitat and human density, play a crucial role in shaping wildlife diversity, challenging the common one-size-fits-all approach. Thus, our findings highlight a need for local governments to consider their unique wildlife communities and landscapes when considering how to plan cities that maximize benefits for wildlife and humans.
Given rapid urbanization across the globe, coping with humans is an important aspect of life in the modern world for most animals. Although human presence is often accompanied by human-associated predators such as dogs, the effects of humans and dogs on animal physiology are rarely considered together. Here, we leverage over 4500 measures of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) measurements, a biomarker of stress physiology, collected from more than 1200 marked California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) at two sites differing in human activity. Drawing on 12 years of study, we explored the effects of dispersal status, human presence, and dog activity on FGMs in juveniles and adults to uncover the multiple factors contributing to individual and population-level differences in FGMs. Longitudinal data on between-site dispersal revealed site-level effects on FGMs. FGMs decreased after individuals dispersed to the less disturbed site, but generally increased after dispersers moved to the more disturbed site. Detailed cross-sectional data from the more disturbed site further revealed age- and mass-dependent responses to human and dog activity. Whereas dog activity failed to predict juvenile FGMs, juvenile FGMs were highest for individuals trapped in areas with high human activity. In contrast, dogs represented a major stressor for adult animals, but the effects of dogs on adult FGMs were generally shielded by human presence. Together, these findings uncover the complex relationships among anthropogenic factors, stress physiology, and habitat selection over multiple spatial and temporal scales in wild animals living in a human-influenced world.
Abstract Urban expansion and intensified human use of landscapes are reshaping urban ecosystems and the ways people and wildlife share space, often shifting coexistence toward conflict. This scoping review examines how features of the built environment in cities and urbanizing landscapes exacerbate or mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. We systematically searched Scopus and three EBSCOhost databases up to September 2024 and identified 211 peer-reviewed articles that explicitly link human-wildlife conflicts to urban, peri-urban, or infrastructural conditions. Using qualitative content analysis and pairwise co-occurrence (Jaccard similarity) of coded drivers, we map how land-management decisions and physical structures jointly configure encounter risk across urban social-ecological systems. Urban expansion, habitat proximity and intermixing, environmental degradation, transportation infrastructure, and anthropogenic food resources emerge as the most frequently cited conflict drivers. Dominant mitigation strategies include land-use planning, attractant reduction, habitat restoration or creation, physical barriers, buffer zones, and ecological corridors. Synthesizing these patterns, we identify three emerging paradoxes regarding greening, connectivity, and resources. From these insights, we propose three recurrent architectures of encounter: hard-edge interfaces between settlements and habitats, porous corridor configurations along linear infrastructures, and embedded or nodal architectures where buildings, waste systems, and abandoned spaces concentrate resources. This typology translates ecological evidence on conflict drivers and mitigation into design decisions for urban edges, corridors, and nodes. We argue that human-wildlife conflicts in urbanizing regions cluster within these spatial configurations, which can be diagnosed, monitored, and reworked to support coexistence-oriented urban biodiversity and habitat management.
Going outside for a bird or nature walk has a positive impact on people's well-being. In a quasi-experimental setting, we compared verbal and visual guidance related to birdsong regarding their effects on mental well-being, physiological stress parameters, and the subjective experience of nature. A total of 47 people participated in a study conducted in the controlled environment of an arboretum within a botanical garden. We applied two interventions in a pre-post design: 20 participants received a verbal awareness treatment, and 27 received a visual awareness treatment. Data were collected over 7 days from May to June 2024. Situational mental well-being was measured using psychometrically validated questionnaire scales. In addition to mental well-being, physiological stress parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels, were also measured. At the experimental level, the statistical models indicate that the walk had a positive influence on mental well-being and reduced physiological stress parameters. Furthermore, the group receiving visual awareness treatment reported a higher perceived restorativeness of the ambient sound and a more acute perception of birdsong. On the individual level, participants with better bird species knowledge and nature experience expressed improved mental well-being. Participants who scored higher on the subjective trait variable 'perception of birds' reported improved mental well-being and an enhanced perception of biodiversity after the walk. The study provides evidence for the influence of personal or individual traits on mental well-being, in addition to the general effects of the intervention.
The Kathmandu Valley has recently seen a rapid population growth and expanding urbanization, with a vast increase in urban trash and untreated sewage entering the Bagmati River. We sampled and compiled historic data on the aquatic macroinvertebrates from the past three decades from five sites along 30 km of the river, and quantified land-use categories in the catchments from satellite imagery. Our aims were (1) to study current longitudinal patterns in macroinvertebrate and water quality, (2) to demonstrate long-term patterns in macroinvertebrate quality (i.e. the Nepalese biotic index NEPbios), and (3) to relate changes in macroinvertebrate quality to land-use properties of the respective catchments. Time series regressions of the NEPbios index scores revealed that at the site upstream of the city of Kathmandu, NEPbios scores were consistently high through time. All three middle sites in the city showed decreasing NEPbios scores over time, with progressively lower mean levels. The site immediately downstream of Kathmandu consistently had the lowest scores. Throughout the time period, NEPbios scores followed a strong and positive linear relationship with the proportion of natural vegetation, and a negative logarithmic relationship with the proportion of urbanized area in the catchments. Already at 5% urbanization, the stream macroinvertebrate quality was greatly reduced, and at 10-20% urbanization, the ecological status of the river deteriorated to near its lowest condition. These findings show how sensitive river quality is to even low levels of urbanization in the catchment, with implications for urban and environmental planners.
Urbanization affects ecological communities but urban ecology has mostly focused on large and charismatic species. Water-filled tree holes and other ephemeral small standing waters in cities constitute unique but inconspicuous breeding habitats for a range of insects. Their biodiversity is not well known and how their communities respond to increased urbanization in particular, has rarely been studied. Using a Citizen Science Project, we investigated how urbanization (measured as imperviousness, human population density and altered temperature), additional environmental parameters (pH, electric conductivity) and detritus serving as a food source affected larval insect communities in artificial aquatic microhabitats. We found that these habitats were colonized quickly by a range of insect taxa. Their community abundance, richness and decomposition rates were largely stable across different levels of urbanization. Fine detritus content increased larval abundance. Community composition shifted strongly with urbanization. The most abundant and frequent species in our study, the exotic mosquito species Aedes japonicus, responded negatively to imperviousness. Aquatic microhabitats could be shown to be important habitats for aquatic insects in cities. However, their community composition may change with increased urbanization. As our results showed, exotic species such as mosquitoes may dominate the communities in these habitats. In the case of vector species, high abundances may affect human and animal health via increased pathogen transmission. Therefore, we suggest raising awareness about potential risks of these habitats and possible measures preventing the establishment and spread of harmful species, while still supporting native biodiversity in urban spaces.
Urban expansion causes habitat fragmentation and forces wildlife to adapt to altered environments, often compromising their persistence. In Moyobamba (Peru), populations of the critically endangered endemic primate, the San Mart & iacute;n titi monkey (Plecturocebus oenanthe), survive in urban ravines. Understanding how ravine attributes and spatial configurations affect occupancy is essential for conservation efforts. We surveyed 45 ravines using systematic playback and direct observations and analyzed occupancy using generalized linear models (GLMs, binomial distribution) that incorporated ravine attributes, vegetation indices (NDVI), and graph-based connectivity metrics. Three approaches were evaluated: (i) occupancy explained only by ravine attributes, (ii) connectivity through any route across the urban matrix, and (iii) restricted connectivity along the shortest dispersal paths, with model selection based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Occupancy was best explained by the third approach, highlighting the combined relevance of ravine areas and restricted connectivity. Ravines larger than 2.85 ha had >= 50% probability of occupancy, and those > 11.45 ha guaranteed animal presence in the study area. The maximum spatial autocorrelation at 70 m identified a critical dispersal threshold in the urban landscape. NDVI heterogeneity had a weak negative effect, suggesting that P. oenanthe tolerates moderate disturbance but avoids highly heterogeneous habitats with high disturbances. Several occupied ravines (e.g. 31 and 43) are highly vulnerable because of their small size and isolation, whereas others present potential for colonization if connectivity is restored. Conservation actions should prioritize maintaining large ravines, enhancing functional connectivity, and integrating ravines into urban planning to ensure the long-term survival of P. oenanthe in the Moyobamba Region.
Table Mountain, which is part of Table Mountain National Park and a World Heritage Site, is surrounded by urban Cape Town. Park officials aspire to removing all non-native species, including sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) to protect the endemic fynbos vegetation. Yet fynbos is too nutrient poor to support large herbivores. Fynbos is threatened primarily by invasive vegetation and urban policies of fire-suppression that facilitate forest expansion. In this urban-curated ecosystem, removing sambar deer simply because they are non-native (as typically recommended by invasion biologists for precautionary reasons) is questionable. Sambar deer might harm the ecosystem, but there is no research showing this-and it is plausible that they may even assist fynbos conservation by browsing the encroaching forest The paper begins with a review of the relationship between fire, forest and fynbos and provides a history of non-native herbivores on Table Mountain. It then draws on the international literature about sambar deer outside their native range and on local observations to sketch the first picture of these animals along the urban edge of Cape Town. The conclusion calls for more research on the Mountain's changing ecology, including the niche occupied by sambar deer, to inform an evidence-based management strategy.
Coyotes (Canis latrans), a recent colonizer of Southeastern Florida, demonstrates remarkable adaptability in urban and suburban environments. This study investigates the dietary habits of coyotes at the Montgomery Botanical Center (MBC) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. We surveyed for scat along established paths twice weekly for 1 year. A total of 120 coyote scat samples were collected containing 231 identifiable food items. Game cameras were placed at various locations where ripening fruit began to drop from trees and at the site of a recently excavated green iguana (Iguana iguana) burrow. Additionally, a game camera was deployed along the northern boundary of MBC and the R Hardy Matheson Preserve (RHMP). Coyotes consumed animal derived food more frequently during the dry season and more vegetative material during the wet season. Key dietary components included iguana eggs and iguanas, peafowl, land crabs, and various fruits. Notably, green iguanas were a staple dietary item, especially during cooler months. Statistical analyses indicated significant effects of temperature and season on dietary composition. Coyote access to both properties (MBC and RHMP) was noted to occur throughout the year via a hole underneath the boundary fence. Our results underscore the coyote's role as a generalist opportunistic omnivore capable of exploiting diverse and seasonal food sources. Understanding the trophic niche of coyote populations in urban environments is essential for developing informed management practices that minimize potential human-wildlife conflicts. Our findings contribute to the knowledge base of coyote urban ecology, emphasizing their dietary plasticity, which promotes their success in novel ecosystems.
Urbanization is one of the leading causes of habitat loss and fragmentation. In Latin America, urbanization rates have dramatically increased in past 50 years, often forcing wildlife into human dominated areas. It is still unknown how many species respond to such anthropogenic habitat changes, and in Paraguay, very little is known about how any of the wild species that are found in urbanized environments cope long-term with these novel environments. The black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) in the & Ntilde;eembuc & uacute; department of southwest Paraguay is an ideal species to study the effects of urbanization due to the large population living within the city limits of Pilar, the largest city in the department. We examine self-directed (scratching) behavior as a proxy for stress levels, diet, social interactions, and body condition to comprehensively determine the effects of urbanization on A. caraya by comparing groups living in natural and urban habitats. Similar stress levels were found between urban and natural habitats. Diets only differed between study sites in the percentage of mature leaves consumed, despite the habitats being very different, yet this still resulted in a difference of body condition scores. Overall, our results indicate that A. caraya in & Ntilde;eembuc & uacute;, Paraguay are highly adaptable to and able to live well in degraded and disturbed habitats, something that bodes well for their survival as humans continue to encroach on their wetland homes. La urbanizaci & oacute;n es una de las causas principales de la p & eacute;rdida y fragmentaci & oacute;n del h & aacute;bitat. En Latinoam & eacute;rica, las tasas de urbanizaci & oacute;n han crecido dram & aacute;ticamente en los & uacute;ltimos 50 a & ntilde;os, obligando a menudo a la fauna silvestre a desplazarse a zonas urbanas. Todav & iacute;a, se desconoce cu & aacute;ntas especies responden a tales cambios de h & aacute;bitat antropog & eacute;nicos, y en Paraguay, se sabe muy poco sobre las especies silvestres que se encuentran en los ambientes urbanizados. En el departamento de & Ntilde;eembuc & uacute;, Paraguay, el mono aullador negro y dorado (Alouatta caraya) es un modelo & uacute;til para estudiar los efectos de la urbanizaci & oacute;n sobre las poblaciones que viven adentro de los l & iacute;mites de la ciudad de Pilar, la ciudad m & aacute;s grande del departamento. Examinamos los comportamientos relacionados con el estr & eacute;s, la dieta, las interacciones sociales y la condici & oacute;n del cuerpo para determinar los efectos de la urbanizaci & oacute;n en A. caraya comparando grupos que viven en los h & aacute;bitats naturales y urbanos. Nuestros resultados demostraron algunas similitudes entre los monos habitando en & aacute;reas urbanos y los de & aacute;reas naturales, por ejemplo en los niveles del estr & eacute;s. La dieta solo difer & iacute;a en el porcentaje de hojas maduras consumidas, a pesar de que los h & aacute;bitats eran muy diferentes, pero esto a & uacute;n result & oacute; en una diferencia en las puntuaciones de la condici & oacute;n de cuerpo. En general, nuestros resultados indican que A. caraya en & Ntilde;eembuc & uacute;, Paraguay son adaptables y capaces de sobrevivir en h & aacute;bitats degradados y perturbados.
Urban growth contributes significantly to biodiversity loss. Finding creative solutions to promote biodiversity and provide habitat space is thus an urgent need in urban areas. Underutilized green infrastructure, such as street tree beds, offers potential to support diverse plant life in cities. This study explores whether citizen stewardship of these beds enhances urban plant diversity and alters species composition. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 200 street tree beds-pairs of 100 stewarded and 100 non-stewarded-in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, assessing vascular plant diversity alongside factors such as tree diameter, bed size, and surface sealing. Results showed that stewarded beds supported significantly greater species richness and more diverse plant communities, primarily due to a higher number of gardened species, though native species richness was also higher. Both stewarded and non-stewarded beds contained native ruderal species. These findings underscore the value of citizen stewardship in promoting urban biodiversity by creating habitats that blend cultivated and native plants. This research highlights a still little-used opportunity for cities to promote biodiversity and engage residents directly in nature-based solutions. These citizen-led efforts increase local biodiversity and provide accessible, daily opportunities for urban dwellers to connect with nature, improving well-being and supporting broader policy goals for livable, healthy, and resilient cities.
The Cuban Amazon (Amazona leucocephala) is a species of Psittaciforme bird with populations of vulnerable status in Cuba. A wild population of Amazona leucocephala has been established in the city of Santiago de Cuba, probably from individuals that escaped from captivity. Through 576 h of observation (January 2021 and June 2022), vocalizations, feeding, and perching were the most frequent behaviors. Reproduction-related behaviors were observed from February to May, including nesting attempts, copulations and nest cavity searches, however, no successful reproductive events were recorded during the study period. The diet included 24 plant species (58% exotic), with a predominance of fruits (50.8%) and seeds (17%). The most commonly used plants in the diet of Amazona leucocephala were Ehretia tinifolia, Bursera simaruba, Pithecellobium dulce and Terminalia catappa. The factors influencing the persistence and growth of the Cuban Amazon population in Santiago de Cuba are: the limited presence of wooded areas within the city, which has led to the confinement of Amazona leucocephala to the most wooded regions; the scarcity of nesting cavities; competition for these resources with other species; and hunting and persecution. Conservation efforts should prioritize protecting keystone tree species, integrating native plants into urban planning, and promoting environmental education.
A key characteristic of some wildlife species might be their ability to alter aspects of their behavior from living in natural to more urbanized environments. We investigated the extent to which rock squirrels (Otospermophilus variegatus) are capable of behavioral flexibility in response to changing environments such as increasing urbanization. Urbanization may influence behaviors such as foraging and vigilance, which are essential for survival. Greater time spent in vigilance could entail less time for foraging. Yet it remains unclear whether urbanization leads to increased or decreased vigilance behavior in comparison to squirrels living in natural environments. Relatively greater human presence and anthropogenic disturbances of an urban environment might habituate squirrels to potential threats and thus lead to less vigilance. Alternatively, the greater human presence and activity might induce greater vigilance as a direct response to the frequent and more intense anthropogenic stimuli of the urban environment. We examined the effects of urbanization on rock squirrel behavior at five different locations in central Texas USA along the eastern edge of the species geographic range. Behavioral data were extracted from videos obtained from wildlife cameras placed near burrows. Beta regression revealed that squirrels in highly urbanized landscapes spent less time being vigilant than those in less urbanized landscapes, although urbanization appeared to have no effect on time spent foraging. Our study highlights the role of behavioral flexibility in allowing some wildlife species to exist in urban environments.
Terrestrial bryophytes are a group of plants that show a significant vulnerability to urban environmental stressors, including high temperatures, low humidity, and poor air quality. Their simple structure makes their water content strongly dependent on surrounding relative humidity. Southern Jakarta contains diverse land-use types and experiences persistently poor air quality throughout the year. This study aimed to analyse the environmental factors influencing the diversity of epiphytic bryophytes in the southern urban area of South Jakarta. Sampling was conducted at five locations representing four land-use types: an urban park (Ragunan Zoo), an urban forest (Universitas Indonesia Urban Forest), Roadside Green Space I near residential and commercial zones, Roadside Green Space II near an industrial zone, and Settlement and Housing areas. Bryophytes were recorded using purposive sampling within 100 m(2) plots at each site. A total of 16 epiphytic bryophyte species were recorded, consisting of six mosses and 10 liverworts. The urban forest demonstrated the greatest species diversity and the highest Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP). At the same time, Roadside Green Space II exhibited the lowest values. No epiphytic bryophytes were identified in Roadside Green Space I. Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicated that the distribution of epiphytic mosses was mostly influenced by temperature, PM2.(5) concentration, and bark pH. In contrast, liverwort distribution was influenced by relative humidity, temperature, and bark pH. Among the moss species, Octoblepharum albidum was associated with higher temperatures, while Calymperes tenerum showed a significant association with increased PM2.(5) levels.
The impact of urbanization on biodiversity has become a prominent area of investigation, highlighting the need for comprehensive research in this field. This study focuses on assessing the variation in spider diversity across an urban landscape (Urban area with gardens, urban without gardens, and city gardens). Our investigation took place in Yerevan City and suburbs with increasing urbanization, where we aimed to elucidate the diversity of spider species along transects extending from the city center to Jrvej suburb area. Through a combination of observational data and specimen collection, we observed a discernible pattern: The total species richness was 111 species belonging to 72 genera, and 21 families. The family Theridiidae had the highest diversity (17 species). The total abundance of spiders was 276, with the highest abundance in the urban zone with a garden (187 specimens). The most abundant species were: Pholcus phalangioides (Fuesslin, 1775) (33 specimens) (Pholcidae), Steatoda paykulliana Walckenaer, 1805 (20 specimens) (Theridiidae), and Oecobius nadiae (Spassky, 1936) (8 specimens) (Oecobidae). The highest diversity of spiders was found in the urban zone with a garden (buildings with a garden) (85 species). During our study, we identified 36 spider species new to Armenian Araneofauna. These findings contribute to the expanding body of knowledge indicating the importance of vegetation cover spaces within urban areas in preserving biodiversity amidst urbanization pressures, based on the spider diversity in pure building and the green areas were less than the mixed habitat in the urban environments.
Mistletoes are hemiparasitic plants that cause damage on the host trees, whose seeds are mainly dispersed by birds. Mistletoes have complex interactions with their hosts and seed dispersers. We studied the interaction of mistletoes with their hosts and potential seed-dispersing birds in a peri-urban area in Puerto Escondido city, Oaxaca, Mexico. From May 2019 to December 2021, we conducted a census to identify the hosts, measure infestation intensity, and dendrometric features (diameter at breast height, tree height, and crown diameter area). Additionally, between November 2019 and March 2020, we recorded the number of birds, number and timing of bird fruit consumption. A total of 294 hosts were recorded, including 13 species, 11 genera and six families. Meliacae (n = 161) and Fabaceae (n = 86) families had the highest number of infested individuals. Swietenia humilis, Azadirachta indica, and Vachellia farmesiana showed high infestation rates. The infestation intensity of the hosts was influenced by the DBH and crown diameter. Nine birds species were observed feeding on mistletoe fruits. Myozetetes similis was the primary seed disperser of mistletoe Struthanthus sp. Bird abundance and fruit consumption increased with infestation intensity. Measures to control mistletoe should include gradually replacing highly-infested trees with native species that have no record of mistletoe infestation, and pruning infested branches during the mistletoe flowering period.
The sanitary and economic problems associated with the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) in urban environments have long been a major global concern. Understanding the ecological characteristics of target pest species, including their habitat preferences, is crucial for implementing effective population control measures within the framework of integrated pest management. However, limited research has investigated the relationship between rat occurrence and garbage collection methods, even though garbage is a staple food resource for urban rat populations. In this study, we assessed the relationship between Norway rat occurrence and garbage collection methods by conducting 774 rat-count sessions at garbage collection sites in a densely populated drinking district in Japan. The garbage collection methods employing plastic buckets and plastic garbage bins for beverage cans exhibited a lower average of rat observations among the five examined methods. The method using large waste or storage containers (>= 200 l) constructed from metal plates with holes, such as wire mesh, exhibited a marginally higher number of rat observations among the five methods. In addition, the number of rat observations significantly increased when garbage bags and bins were damaged or located near rain gutters. The magnitude of the change in rat observations attributable to the use or non-use of plastic buckets and plastic garbage bins for beverage cans was comparable to that attributable to presence of damage and proximity to rain gutters. Our findings highlight the importance of selecting an appropriate method for collecting food waste in drinking districts to mitigate rat attraction, thereby minimizing human-rat contact risks.
Urban blue spaces are highly valuable for both people and nature. They provide key ecosystem services, including flood alleviation, pollution absorption and microclimate regulation. They also support human health and wellbeing, through cultural services such as recreation and tourism, and the provision of food resources. Crucially, urban blue spaces support biodiversity, including threatened species, and despite often being small, may have disproportionate effects on their surrounding environment, acting as critical habitats within urban systems. However, research on the role of urban blue spaces within ecological contexts remains limited. Here, we assessed urban bird communities across green and blue spaces to quantify the ecological effects of urban water bodies. We surveyed birds along 22 paired 1 km transects in the city of Kingston Upon Hull, UK, recording species and abundance across both winter and breeding seasons. Our findings indicate that blue spaces significantly increase bird species richness during summer (P = .016), though not in winter. However, we found that the taxonomic distinctiveness of bird communities is consistently greater around blue spaces across both seasons (P < .05). Similarly, functional diversity based on species-level ecological traits was higher around water (P = .01). In addition, we show that urban blue spaces could be important for avian conservation, supporting more red and amber-listed species than green spaces during the summer (P < .05). Overall, our results show that urban blue spaces play a critical ecological role within cities by enhancing the complexity of avian communities, which in turn could improve human wellbeing and contribute to urban sustainability.
Insects are increasingly recognized as pivotal agents in responding to global environmental crises, including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation. Their ecological functions, adaptability, and bioindicator roles make them critical to resilience-building and sustainable environmental management. This review systematically examined peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2024 across databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined eligibility criteria focusing on insect-mediated environmental functions. Data were extracted and synthesized thematically. The analysis revealed that insects contribute significantly to ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, waste degradation, and biocontrol. Their utility in bioremediation of pollutants, including plastics and heavy metals, was evident. Additionally, insects demonstrated adaptive responses to climate stressors, with implications for ecosystem function and stability. Insects serve both as ecological indicators and functional agents of environmental recovery. However, their effectiveness is moderated by factors such as functional diversity loss, pollutant interactions, and underrepresentation in global research. Strategic integration of insect-based interventions into environmental policies can enhance resilience to future crises.
Free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are among the most impactful non-native species globally, causing the extinction of 63 endemic vertebrate species. Their potential ecological impact is especially pronounced in urban areas adjacent to protected spaces where elevated cat densities threaten local wildlife. While cat ecology in human-dominated environments is well-studied, the social-ecological factors influencing cats' spatial and temporal activity are less certain. Examining these factors is crucial for regionally protected landscapes, as increased cat activity can undermine conservation efforts and complicate policy implementation. In this study, we used motion-activated trail cameras across protected shoreline sites in California's East Bay region to analyze cat detection patterns and their temporal activity concerning vegetation greenness (NDVI), human population density, median household income, and housing proximity. Our findings show that cat detections decreased when the distance from residential areas increased, with housing proximity being the only significant predictor among the spatial variables tested. Temporal analysis revealed a strong preference for nocturnality, with the greatest selection for nighttime and twilight periods observed in areas closer to residential housing and vegetation cover. Our results suggest that free-roaming cats alter their activity spatially and temporally to select areas where they can avoid predation from top predators while exploiting food subsidies near housing communities. These results highlight the complex ecological interactions near human infrastructure and how environmental composition contributes to the behavioral patterns of free-roaming cats.
