Research says that “iconic” animals are being replaced by “universal” species that are found everywhere
The use of land for agriculture and city building favors the same types everywhere. This is what new research published in the scientific journal PLOS Biology shows.
Animals such as mice and pigeons replace other animals, such as tigers, that can only survive in certain environments.
The researchers analyzed 20,000 animals and plants in 81 countries.
They found that the most common species of animals and plants tend to increase in places that humans have modified, whether forest plantations, farmland, grasslands and urban environments.
However, geographically rare species are ultimately negatively affected.
Tim Newbold, a researcher at University College London, said: “Around the world we have shown that when humans modify their natural environments, these unique species continually disappear and are replaced by ubiquitous species, such as pigeons in cities and rats in agricultural areas.” ), in the UK.
Homogenization effect: The way humans use the land benefits the same plants and animals
One of the authors, researcher Andy Purvis, from the Natural History Museum in London, compared changes in biodiversity to what is happening on UK shopping routes.
“While small independent retailers are closing their doors, the big chains are taking over,” he said.
“It makes all cities look the same, and it's hard to know where you are. Likewise, people impact nature everywhere they go, and everywhere there are native species struggling to survive.”
Animals such as mice benefit from human labor
The study's findings are important for wildlife conservation efforts because species that live only in small areas are usually at greater risk of extinction than species that have adapted to live all over the world.
Previous research has shown that geographically rare animals and plants also play distinct and important roles within the ecosystem, and may be vital to our food security.
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