Invertebrates in urban areas: A review

Abstract

As urbanisation is set to continue, understanding the impact on wildlife becomes increasingly important if we are to be able to conserve biodiversity. As an excellent group of bioindicators, invertebrates can allow us to understand some of the forces in urban areas which impact upon biodiversity and wildlife populations. This paper discusses some of the trends in the abundance, diversity and richness of invertebrates related to urbanisation and the specific urban environmental and traffic factors which may be at play.

Keywords

• bioindicators
• edge effects
• fragmentation
• insects
• invertebrates
• isolation
• land use
• management
• mowing
• pollution
• site age
• site area
• traffic
• urban
• urbanisation