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<p>Biotic homogenization is a process which is particularly relevant in urban environments. We focus on the flora of a large Mediterranean Spanish city, Madrid, located along two different edaphic biogeographical regions, where biogeographical homogenization may occur. Biogeographical homogenization implies anthropogenic biogeographical barrier species crossing. We test whether this type of homogenization has been taking place, and to what extent. Secondly, we attempt to shed light on the relationship between connectivity and biogeographical homogenization for the Madrid flora. We use the public parks system in Madrid to test whether these spaces could foster an unnatural increase in species movements, and therefore a ‘leakage’ in the biogeographical barrier, diluting the barriers among territories and providing increased opportunities for homogenization. We found that biogeographical homogenization is not consistent in urban Madrid. Our results identify the common and generalist flora as the most significant plant sets in terms of diluting the barrier. The biogeographical homogenization caused by specialist flora (calcifuge/calcicole) is asymmetrical, a larger proportion of calcifuge plants became generalists (0.9 versus 0.6 for calcicole plants) and there is a ratio of 4.6:1 of calcifuge to calcicole for plants crossing the border. Our results do not support the assumption that more urban connectivity is related to greater urban homogenization. The biogeographical barrier, together with human-mediated dispersal and the microheterogeneity of urban green areas, are possible factors that may explain this lack of relationship. Biogeographical barriers in cities continue to play a natural role and homogenization is a differential process resulting in distinct effects depending on plant ecology and biogeography. Although urban spaces are highly altered, they host several groups of floras, and they contribute to biogeographical patterns and processes. Hence, there is still room for biological conservation in cities.</p>

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Testing barrier leaking and negative connectivity in biogeographical urban homogenization

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月4日

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  • Roberto Zeferino,
  • Aitor Gastón,
  • Miguel Berdugo,
  • Felipe Domínguez Lozano

摘要

Biotic homogenization is a process which is particularly relevant in urban environments. We focus on the flora of a large Mediterranean Spanish city, Madrid, located along two different edaphic biogeographical regions, where biogeographical homogenization may occur. Biogeographical homogenization implies anthropogenic biogeographical barrier species crossing. We test whether this type of homogenization has been taking place, and to what extent. Secondly, we attempt to shed light on the relationship between connectivity and biogeographical homogenization for the Madrid flora. We use the public parks system in Madrid to test whether these spaces could foster an unnatural increase in species movements, and therefore a ‘leakage’ in the biogeographical barrier, diluting the barriers among territories and providing increased opportunities for homogenization. We found that biogeographical homogenization is not consistent in urban Madrid. Our results identify the common and generalist flora as the most significant plant sets in terms of diluting the barrier. The biogeographical homogenization caused by specialist flora (calcifuge/calcicole) is asymmetrical, a larger proportion of calcifuge plants became generalists (0.9 versus 0.6 for calcicole plants) and there is a ratio of 4.6:1 of calcifuge to calcicole for plants crossing the border. Our results do not support the assumption that more urban connectivity is related to greater urban homogenization. The biogeographical barrier, together with human-mediated dispersal and the microheterogeneity of urban green areas, are possible factors that may explain this lack of relationship. Biogeographical barriers in cities continue to play a natural role and homogenization is a differential process resulting in distinct effects depending on plant ecology and biogeography. Although urban spaces are highly altered, they host several groups of floras, and they contribute to biogeographical patterns and processes. Hence, there is still room for biological conservation in cities.