Abstract:
Anthropogenic land cover change has become a pervasive force shaping biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics worldwide. As human activities modify natural landscapes, novel habitats emerge, providing opportunities for species colonization. Understanding the patterns and processes underlying species colonization in these anthropogenic habitats is essential for predicting ecological impacts and informing conservation strategies. This study aims to examine the colonization of species in habitats opened by anthropogenic land cover change, synthesizing existing literature and providing insights into the drivers and consequences of this phenomenon.
We conduct a systematic literature review to identify studies that investigate species colonization in anthropogenic habitats. We analyze the findings of these studies to assess the patterns and processes associated with colonization, including the characteristics of species (e.g., dispersal ability, niche breadth), habitat features (e.g., resource availability, connectivity), and landscape context (e.g., fragmentation, matrix composition). Our review highlights both general trends and variations across different taxa and ecosystems.
Furthermore, we explore the ecological and evolutionary consequences of species colonization in anthropogenic habitats. We discuss potential impacts on native species, community composition, and ecosystem functioning. We also examine the role of phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary adaptation in shaping species' ability to colonize these novel environments. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of how species respond to anthropogenic habitat modifications and their implications for biodiversity conservation in the face of ongoing global change.
