Urbanization

Oriol Lapiedra

Behaviour & Evolution

"In an increasingly urbanized world, understanding how animal behavior influences species' survival is vital. Our research investigates how wildlife adapts to urban environments and the dual role urbanization plays in biodiversity loss and conservation. From early studies on behavioral adaptation to ongoing work on urban refugia, we explore how cities impact the survival, evolution, and ecological roles of wild animals."

What
happened?

On the island of Ibiza, the introduction of the invasive Horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) has driven the native Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) to the brink of extinction. However, urbanized areas on the island have provided unexpected sanctuaries for these native lizards. These urban refugia act as barriers, reducing predation by the snakes and enabling the lizards to persist. This protective effect highlights how urban landscapes, often seen as threats to biodiversity, can serve as crucial lifelines for vulnerable populations. By shielding native lizards from invasive predators, urban refugia may play a pivotal role in preserving biodiversity on heavily impacted islands like Ibiza.

Major Questions

01. How does animal behaviour help species adapt to urban environments?

02. Can urban landscapes act as barriers that enhance the persistence of native populations by limiting the spread of invasive species?

03. How do varying levels of urbanization influence the competitive balance between invasive and native species?

04. Do urban areas drive evolutionary changes in wildlife populations?

05. Can urban refugia support stable populations over the long term?

Major Findings

01. Urbanized areas buffer the impact of invasive snakes, allowing lizards to persist where they would otherwise disappear.

02. Roads and human activities act as ecological filters, limiting snake dispersal into urban areas.

03. Population modeling demonstrates that lizards in urban areas can remain stable without immigration, confirming the protective role of urban refugia.

04. Urban refugia offer a viable conservation strategy, especially in regions heavily affected by invasive species.

Why this works
matters?

This research highlights the dual role of urban landscapes: as threats to some species and sanctuaries for others. By understanding how urban areas can mitigate the impact of invasive species, we can develop innovative strategies to conserve biodiversity in the face of global environmental changes. The findings from Ibiza emphasize the potential of urban refugia to support threatened species, ensuring their survival and the preservation of unique ecological and cultural heritage.