Modeling the Impacts of Urban Growth on Animal Behavior and Adaptation

Urbanization represents a significant shift in landscape, habitat composition , and human-built structures, with profound effects on local fauna. As urban areas expand, the natural habitats of various species diminish or transform, which often leads to notable behavioral changes and adaptations in animals. Researchers have noted phenomena such as altered feeding habits, shifts in reproductive patterns, and changes in predator-prey dynamics as species attempt to navigate the constraints and opportunities of urban regions and city environments. While multiple studies have sought to record these changes, there remains a substantial gap in understanding the complex interactions at play in urban contexts and the long-term consequences for animal populations and urban ecosystem functioning.This Research Topic aims to explore the interface between urbanization and animal behavior using a modeling approach. By employing computational and ecological models, the research seeks to unravel the detailed processes by which urban environments and structures influence animal species’ behavior and evolutionary paths. Specifically, the goal is to address questions related to the mechanisms of behavioral adaptation in urban settings, and how these changes may affect species survival as well as the dynamics of urban ecosystems.To gather further insights into urbanization’s impacts on animal behavior within urban landscapes, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Mechanisms of behavioral adaptation in urban fauna-Impacts of urbanization on animal communication systems-Modeling predator-prey interactions in urban landscapes-Long-term evolutionary consequences of urban living for wildlife species-Role of urban planning and management in mitigating negative impacts on animal behavior Topic editors: Carlos González-Crespo, Jorge Ramón López-Olvera, Noelle Thompson Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75931/modeling-the-impacts-of-urban-growth-on-animal-behavior-and-adaptation