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Urban biotic homogenization: Approaches and knowledge gaps.

Sophie Lokatis1,2,3, Jonathan M Jeschke1,2,3

  • 1Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America
|July 8, 2022
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Summary

Urbanization impacts ecosystems, potentially causing biotic homogenization. This review of 225 studies found mixed support for the urban biotic homogenization (UBH) hypothesis, with more evidence for homogenization within cities than across them.

Keywords:
bibliographic networkevidence maphierarchy-of-hypotheses (HoH) approachresearch biasesresearch synthesisurban biotic homogenization (UBH)

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Urban Ecology
  • Conservation Biology

Background:

  • Urbanization is a major driver of global environmental change, altering ecosystems and biodiversity.
  • The urban biotic homogenization (UBH) hypothesis suggests urban areas may become similar in species composition globally.
  • Alternatively, cities can increase local biodiversity through species introductions and habitat diversification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically map and structure the literature on the UBH hypothesis.
  • To analyze the different connotations and research approaches used to study UBH.
  • To identify research biases and assess the overall empirical support for UBH.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search identified 225 studies testing the UBH hypothesis.
  • Studies were analyzed for their approach, scale, taxonomic focus, and reference sites.
  • An evidence map and bibliographic network were created to synthesize findings.

Main Results:

  • UBH was investigated with two main connotations: increased similarity across cities and homogenization within cities, with the latter more frequently supported.
  • Significant research biases were identified, including taxonomic (plants, birds), spatial, temporal (space-for-time substitution), and geographic (Europe, North America).
  • Overall empirical support for UBH was mixed (55% supportive), varying with the reference sites used for comparison.

Conclusions:

  • The UBH hypothesis has mixed empirical support and is studied with diverse methodologies and assumptions.
  • Research biases limit a comprehensive understanding of UBH.
  • Future research should address identified biases to better understand the complex effects of urbanization on biodiversity.