Urbanization deeply impacts biodiversity through ecosystem alteration and habitat fragmentation, creating novel environmental challenges for plant species. Plants have evolved cellular, molecular, and biochemical strategies to cope with the diverse biotic and abiotic stresses associated with urbanization. However, many of these defense and resistance mechanisms remain poorly understood. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for advancing our understanding of urban biodiversity and elucidating the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of species in urban landscapes. As sessile organisms, plants depend heavily on modifications in gene expression as a rapid and efficient strategy to survive urban stressors. At the same time, the urban environment pressures induced plant species to evolve genotypic adaptations that enhance their survival and growth in these contexts. This review explores the different genetic responses of plants to urbanization. We focus on key abiotic challenges, such as air pollution, elevated CO2 levels, heavy metal contamination, heat and drought stress, salinity, and biotic stresses caused by herbivorous insects. By examining these genetic mechanisms induced by urban stressors, we aim to analyze the molecular pathways and genetic patterns underlying the adaptation of plant species to urban environments. This knowledge is a valuable tool for enhancing the selection and propagation of adaptive traits in plant populations, supporting species conservation efforts, and promoting urban biodiversity.
Genetic responses of plants to urban environmental challenges / Carfora, Angela; Lucibelli, Francesca; DI LILLO, Paola; Mazzucchiello, SARAH MARIA; Saccone, Giuseppe; Salvemini, Marco; Varone, Marianna; Volpe, Gennaro; Aceto, Serena. - In: PLANTA. - ISSN 0032-0935. - 261:102(2025). [10.1007/s00425-025-04678-1]
Genetic responses of plants to urban environmental challenges
Angela CarforaWriting – Original Draft Preparation
;Francesca LucibelliWriting – Original Draft Preparation
;Paola Di LilloMembro del Collaboration Group
;Sarah Maria MazzucchielloMembro del Collaboration Group
;Giuseppe SacconeMembro del Collaboration Group
;Marco SalveminiMembro del Collaboration Group
;Marianna VaroneMembro del Collaboration Group
;Gennaro VolpeMembro del Collaboration Group
;Serena Aceto
Writing – Review & Editing
2025
Abstract
Urbanization deeply impacts biodiversity through ecosystem alteration and habitat fragmentation, creating novel environmental challenges for plant species. Plants have evolved cellular, molecular, and biochemical strategies to cope with the diverse biotic and abiotic stresses associated with urbanization. However, many of these defense and resistance mechanisms remain poorly understood. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for advancing our understanding of urban biodiversity and elucidating the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of species in urban landscapes. As sessile organisms, plants depend heavily on modifications in gene expression as a rapid and efficient strategy to survive urban stressors. At the same time, the urban environment pressures induced plant species to evolve genotypic adaptations that enhance their survival and growth in these contexts. This review explores the different genetic responses of plants to urbanization. We focus on key abiotic challenges, such as air pollution, elevated CO2 levels, heavy metal contamination, heat and drought stress, salinity, and biotic stresses caused by herbivorous insects. By examining these genetic mechanisms induced by urban stressors, we aim to analyze the molecular pathways and genetic patterns underlying the adaptation of plant species to urban environments. This knowledge is a valuable tool for enhancing the selection and propagation of adaptive traits in plant populations, supporting species conservation efforts, and promoting urban biodiversity.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
2025_Planta.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza:
Dominio pubblico
Dimensione
2.8 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
2.8 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.