Urbanization

Urbanization is a rapid and extreme form of environmental alteration that threatens biodiversity by causing a mismatch between an organism’s phenotype and its environment. Despite the mismatch, some animals demonstrate a remarkable ability to thrive in urbanized environments. Here, we explore the role of behaviour in mediating the varying success of animals in an increasingly urbanized world. We contend that behaviour is of utmost importance because it reflects decision-making processes that influence the settlement of animals in urban environments and their ability to cope with the challenges posed by phenotype-environment mismatches. Such decisions range from simple, innate reactions to cognitively sophisticated responses based on learning, with ample evidence that they are often adaptive. However, the demographic implications remain poorly understood, primarily due to a research focus on less cognitively demanding decisions and a tendency to neglect the importance of life history variation. By delving deeper into the intricacies of animal behaviour, we have the potential to fill these gaps and gain valuable insights into the varying degrees of success observed among animals in urban environments and, in so doing, a better understanding of patterns of urban biodiversity.