Urban Botany: Plant Diversity and Adaptation Strategies in Urban Environments

Abstract

Urban ecosystems experience notable shifts in species composition and functional diversity due to human disturbances. Understanding urban plant biodiversity and its drivers is crucial for predicting future changes and promoting resilient systems that provide essential services and mitigate climate impacts. Urbanization modifies plant communities by favoring species ill-suited to new environments, influenced by city-specific factors such as habitat availability and land use. Disturbance patterns and life-history strategies also affect species establishment, offering insights into ecological processes. For many people, urban flora is the only nature they encounter, yet the ability of urbanized areas to preserve biodiversity while delivering services remains unclear. The introduction of exotic species complicates the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem services, necessitating careful assessment to align with societal goals. Understanding species replacement and coexistence can enhance the development of urban infrastructure that addresses aesthetic and conservation needs. Major cities are expected to face significant climate pressures, including extreme weather, erratic conditions, and prolonged droughts within dense urban areas. These changes impact food chains relying on urban plants for connectivity, influencing species movement and exotic species spread—some of which may provide services like water extraction during droughts but could also harm local vegetation and create pathways for invasive species.