Urbanization (noun): the process of becoming more like a city; making an area more urban. The population shift from rural to urban areas.
In the past 50 years the global rate of urbanization has been steadily climbing. By 2050 it is projected that 2/3 of the human population will live in cities, meaning an increase of about 2.5 billion people in urban areas worldwide. While the growth of cities leads to a loss of natural habitat, it also means an expansion of urban habitat for species that are adapting to life in cities.
I created the infographic below to provide a visual explanation of how urbanization is already affecting some of the plants that have become city dwellers along with us. While some impacts are easier to see, changes are also happening at a less obvious level: DNA. Can living and reproducing in cities really change the genetic codes that plants pass on to their offspring? And if so, what are the implications?
While we may not yet know exactly how our concrete jungles are affecting the evolution of other species, there are actions we can take to help reduce negative impacts and boost positive ones. Incorporating native plants into landscaping and creating biodiverse urban habitats are great places to start.
Backyard Ecology 