Gentrification drives patterns of alpha and beta diversity in cities

Mason Fidino, Heather A. Sander, Jesse S. Lewis, Elizabeth W. Lehrer, Kimberly Rivera, Maureen H. Murray, Henry C. Adams, Anna Kase, Andrea Flores, Theodore Stankowich, Christopher J. Schell, Carmen M. Salsbury, Adam T. Rohnke, Mark J. Jordan, Austin M. Green, Ashley R. Gramza, Amanda J. Zellmer, Jacque Williamson, Thilina D. Surasinghe, Hunter StormKimberly L. Sparks, Travis J. Ryan, Katie R. Remine, Mary E. Pendergast, Kayleigh Mullen, Darren E. Minier, Christopher R. Middaugh, Amy L. Mertl, Maureen R. McClung, Robert A. Long, Rachel N. Larson, Michel T. Kohl, Lavendar R. Harris, Courtney T. Hall, Jeffrey D. Haight, David Drake, Alyssa M. Davidge, Ann O. Cheek, Christopher P. Bloch, Elizabeth G. Biro, Whitney J.B. Anthonysamy, Julia L. Angstmann, Maximilian L. Allen, Solny A. Adalsteinsson, Anne G. Short Gianotti, Jalene M. LaMontagne, Tiziana A. Gelmi-Candusso, Seth B. Magle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

While there is increasing recognition that social processes in cities like gentrification have ecological consequences, we lack nuanced understanding of the ways gentrification affects urban biodiversity. We analyzed a large camera trap dataset of mammals (>500 g) to evaluate how gentrification impacts species richness and community composition across 23 US cities. After controlling for the negative effect of impervious cover, gentrified parts of cities had the highest mammal species richness. Change in community composition was associated with gentrification in a few cities, which were mostly located along the West Coast. At the species level, roughly half (11 of 21 mammals) had higher occupancy in gentrified parts of a city, especially when impervious cover was low. Our results indicate that the impacts of gentrification extend to nonhuman animals, which provides further evidence that some aspects of nature in cities, such as wildlife, are chronically inaccessible to marginalized human populations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere2318596121
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume121
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 23 2024

Keywords

  • alpha diversity
  • beta diversity
  • camera trap
  • gentrification
  • mammals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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