Urban Wildlife Insights: Exploring the Behavior and Adaptations of Animals in Urban Environments

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Wildlife".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 1432

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Professor at the Eilat Campus, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 272, Eilat 88106, Israel
Interests: behavior; conservation; breeding; environmental education; migration
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance within city environments, contributing significantly to biodiversity and offering essential ecosystem services. These species help control pest populations, pollinate plants, and decompose organic matter, which are vital for urban agriculture and the health of green spaces. Additionally, urban wildlife enhances the quality of life for city dwellers by providing opportunities for recreation, education, and psychological well-being. Interacting with wildlife can foster a deeper connection to nature, promoting conservation efforts and environmental stewardship.

Urban wildlife serves as an indicator of the health of urban ecosystems, highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning and green infrastructure to create habitats that support diverse species while benefiting human residents. The presence of animals such as birds, insects, and small mammals can improve air and water quality, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and even reduce noise pollution. Furthermore, urban wildlife offers educational opportunities, helping city residents, especially children, understand and appreciate the complexities of nature. Overall, integrating wildlife considerations into urban development can lead to healthier, more resilient cities for both humans and wildlife.

The following Special Issue will consider original or review articles that highlight advances in our understanding and monitoring practices of avian adaptations, habitat use and movement patterns in urban areas, and diet and foraging strategies. Studies on the consequences of breeding near humans may include individual- or population-level assessments and how urbanization affects behavioral and physiological changes. We also welcome studies on the development and effectiveness evaluation of mitigation strategies to reduce the incidence of human–wildlife conflicts. Studies that can increase our understanding of innovative techniques, citizen science, future directions, and ethical considerations are particularly welcomed. We will also be happy to include papers that advance theoretical frameworks for understanding urban ecology and wildlife adaptations, present comprehensive datasets, and provide conceptual discussions on the interactions between humans and wildlife in urban settings, including socio-ecological dynamics. This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge, innovative research, and practical approaches to understanding and managing urban wildlife by including a diverse range of paper types.

Prof. Dr. Reuven Yosef
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • urban wildlife
  • ecosystem services
  • public health
  • psychological well-being
  • environmental education

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2952 KiB  
Article
TreeGrid: A Spatial Planning Tool Integrating Tree Species Traits for Biodiversity Enhancement in Urban Landscapes
by Shrey Rakholia, Reuven Yosef, Neelesh Yadav, Laura Karimloo, Michaela Pleitner and Ritvik Kothari
Animals 2025, 15(13), 1844; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131844 - 22 Jun 2025
Abstract
Urbanization, habitat fragmentation, and intensifying urban heat island (UHI) effects accelerate biodiversity loss and diminish ecological resilience in cities, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. To address these challenges, we developed TreeGrid, a functionality-based spatial tree planning tool designed specifically for urban settings in the [...] Read more.
Urbanization, habitat fragmentation, and intensifying urban heat island (UHI) effects accelerate biodiversity loss and diminish ecological resilience in cities, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. To address these challenges, we developed TreeGrid, a functionality-based spatial tree planning tool designed specifically for urban settings in the Northern Plains of India. The tool integrates species trait datasets, ecological scoring metrics, and spatial simulations to optimize tree placement for enhanced ecosystem service delivery, biodiversity support, and urban cooling. Developed within an R Shiny framework, TreeGrid dynamically computes biodiversity indices, faunal diversity potential, canopy shading, carbon sequestration, and habitat connectivity while simulating localized reductions in land surface temperature (LST). Additionally, we trained a deep neural network (DNN) model using tool-generated data to predict bird habitat suitability across diverse urban contexts. The tool’s spatial optimization capabilities are also applicable to post-fire restoration planning in wildland–urban interfaces by guiding the selection of appropriate endemic species for revegetation. This integrated framework supports the development of scalable applications in other climate-impacted regions, highlighting the utility of participatory planning, predictive modeling, and ecosystem service assessments in designing biodiversity-inclusive and thermally resilient urban landscapes. Full article
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Review

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19 pages, 2409 KiB  
Review
Management of Coexistence and Conflicts Between Humans and Macaques in Japan
by Léane Depret and Cédric Sueur
Animals 2025, 15(6), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060888 - 20 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Conflicts between humans and Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) have intensified due to urban and agricultural expansion, reducing natural habitats and pushing macaques into human settlements. This review examines strategies for managing human–macaque coexistence in Japan. Since the 1970s, urbanisation and deforestation [...] Read more.
Conflicts between humans and Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) have intensified due to urban and agricultural expansion, reducing natural habitats and pushing macaques into human settlements. This review examines strategies for managing human–macaque coexistence in Japan. Since the 1970s, urbanisation and deforestation have led to increased macaque migration into populated areas, resulting in property damage, crop loss, and, in some cases, aggressive encounters. The growing macaque population underscores the urgency of effective management programmes. Strategies include preventive measures, such as weeding to limit food sources, habitat modification, and community-based interventions to reduce attractants. Non-lethal deterrents, including visual and auditory scare tactics, trained guard animals, and electric fences, have been implemented to discourage macaques from entering human spaces. Physical barriers, such as fences and buffer zones, provide long-term mitigation but require maintenance and community cooperation. Fertility control, including sterilisation and hormonal contraception, offers a long-term population management solution but presents logistical challenges. Lethal control and capture-relocation, though controversial, remain options for particularly problematic individuals. Additionally, integrating One Health and One Conservation approaches into macaque management allows for a holistic strategy that considers disease risks, ecological balance, and ethical implications. A balanced management plan that incorporates multiple strategies, community participation, and continuous monitoring is crucial for mitigating conflicts and fostering sustainable coexistence between humans and macaques. Full article
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