Oriol Lapiedra

Behaviour & Evolution

Urbanization

Unraveling whether and how behavior determines the chances of animals to persist in an increasingly urbanized Planet is one of our main lines of research. Some of the questions we have addressed are how animal behavior helps animals to overcome the challenges posed by the pervasive phenomenon of urbanization (Sol, Lapiedra, Gonzalez 2013, Animal behavior) and how this affects biodiversity loss (Sol, et al. & Lapiedra, 2014, Ecology Letters) and (Lapiedra 2018, Comparative Biology). 
 
At present, we are also examining the potential role of urbanized areas to act as refuges for wild animal populations (the phenomenon of urban refugia). In a new study system in the Balearic Islands, we are studying not only the implications this may have for global biodiversity conservation but also how urban refugia can shape both evolutionary dynamics of these populations as well as the functioning of local ecosystems.

Lapiedra, O., 2018. Urban behavioral ecology: lessons from Anolis lizards. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 58(5), pp.939-947.

Sol, D., González‐Lagos, C., Moreira, D., Maspons, J. and Lapiedra, O., 2014. Urbanisation tolerance and the loss of avian diversity. Ecology letters, 17(8), pp.942-950.

Sol, D., Lapiedra, O. and González-Lagos, C., 2013. Behavioural adjustments for a life in the city. Animal behaviour, 85(5), pp.1101-1112.