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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mark Goddard
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Urbanization contributes to the loss of the world's biodiversity and the homogenization of its biota. However, comparative studies of urban biodiversity leading to robust generalities of the status and drivers of biodiversity in cities at the global scale are lacking. Here, we compiled the largest global dataset to date of two diverse taxa in cities: birds (54 cities) and plants (110 cities). We found that the majority of urban bird and plant species are native in the world's cities. Few plants and birds are cosmopolitan, the most common being Columba livia and Poa annua. The density of bird and plant species (the number of species per km(2)) has declined substantially: only 8% of native bird and 25% of native plant species are currently present compared with estimates of non-urban density of species. The current density of species in cities and the loss in density of species was best explained by anthropogenic features (landcover, city age) rather than by non-anthropogenic factors (geography, climate, topography). As urbanization continues to expand, efforts directed towards the conservation of intact vegetation within urban landscapes could support higher concentrations of both bird and plant species. Despite declines in the density of species, cities still retain endemic native species, thus providing opportunities for regional and global biodiversity conservation, restoration and education.
Author(s): Aronson MFJ, LaSorte FA, Nilon CH, Katti M, Goddard MA, Lepczyk CA, Warren PS, Williams NSG, Cilliers S, Clarkson B, Dobbs C, Dolan R, Hedblom M, Klotz S, Kooijmans JL, Kuhn I, MacGregor-Fors I, McDonnell M, Mortberg U, Pysek P, Siebert S, Sushinsky J, Werner P, Winter M
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences
Year: 2014
Volume: 281
Issue: 1780
Online publication date: 12/02/2014
Acceptance date: 17/01/2014
ISSN (print): 0962-8452
ISSN (electronic): 1471-2954
Publisher: Royal Society of Edinburgh
URL: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/281/1780/20133330.short
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.3330
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