About this Research Topic
With the staggering increase in human population, urbanization and human-mediated changes in climate are reaching unprecedented levels. Global climate change is considered one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystems. Many studies have addressed the effects of such anthropogenic disturbances on birds and mammal species. However, ectotherms especially reptiles and amphibians face a larger threat as shifts in temperature and humidity would constrain several physiological processes within these taxa. Physiological effects also depend on the sensitivity of each species, the extent of exposure to environmental stressors, and the adaptive range.
As a class of vertebrates, amphibians and reptiles are a part of the larger ecosystem that faces the risk of extinction at least in the next 50 years. Most studies in these taxa focus on changes in species diversity and abundance across urbanization and climate gradients. Recent studies that focus on physiological parameters like stress physiology, immune response, or metabolic rate show a variability in results because of the diversity in urban features. Along with the difficulty of quantifying relevant urban features, species also have different life history traits. Thus, collecting research across various geographical regions, while accounting for distinct selective pressures on reptiles and amphibians, allows for a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of these taxa and the landscapes they inhabit. This assessment sheds light on the significant threats posed by the combined impacts of climate change and urbanization. Rather than a single end-point focus studies encompassing a suite of physiological traits would indicate species health and vulnerability in a holistic way.
We aim to target research that highlights the key effects of climate change (air and sea surface temperatures, humidity, cloud cover, precipitation, solar radiation, extreme weather events) and specific urban features (vegetation cover, heat island effect, artificial light, noise, contaminants) on multiple physiological parameters including but not limited to thermal tolerance, stress and molecular physiology, metabolic responses, immune activation, and molecules/genetic/epigenetic/genomic differences that would finally shed light on the selective pressures and probable adaptive trajectories of species. The best way forward to advance this field of research is to (i) Examine various interactive or cumulative factors (such as urbanization and climate change and their influences) in order to comprehensively evaluate the selective pressures; (ii) measure multiple physiological parameters that would act as health indicators and (iii) Quantify responses at both the individual and population levels to gain a deeper understanding of rapid adaptive evolution. Focusing on such research gaps will help in designing better management strategies as urbanization, climate change, and species declines have already entered an extremely risky environment.
As a class of vertebrates, amphibians and reptiles are a part of the larger ecosystem that faces the risk of extinction at least in the next 50 years. Most studies in these taxa focus on changes in species diversity and abundance across urbanization and climate gradients. Recent studies that focus on physiological parameters like stress physiology, immune response, or metabolic rate show a variability in results because of the diversity in urban features. Along with the difficulty of quantifying relevant urban features, species also have different life history traits. Thus, collecting research across various geographical regions, while accounting for distinct selective pressures on reptiles and amphibians, allows for a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of these taxa and the landscapes they inhabit. This assessment sheds light on the significant threats posed by the combined impacts of climate change and urbanization. Rather than a single end-point focus studies encompassing a suite of physiological traits would indicate species health and vulnerability in a holistic way.
We aim to target research that highlights the key effects of climate change (air and sea surface temperatures, humidity, cloud cover, precipitation, solar radiation, extreme weather events) and specific urban features (vegetation cover, heat island effect, artificial light, noise, contaminants) on multiple physiological parameters including but not limited to thermal tolerance, stress and molecular physiology, metabolic responses, immune activation, and molecules/genetic/epigenetic/genomic differences that would finally shed light on the selective pressures and probable adaptive trajectories of species. The best way forward to advance this field of research is to (i) Examine various interactive or cumulative factors (such as urbanization and climate change and their influences) in order to comprehensively evaluate the selective pressures; (ii) measure multiple physiological parameters that would act as health indicators and (iii) Quantify responses at both the individual and population levels to gain a deeper understanding of rapid adaptive evolution. Focusing on such research gaps will help in designing better management strategies as urbanization, climate change, and species declines have already entered an extremely risky environment.
Keywords: Genetics, Stress, Immunity, Heat Island, Metabolism
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