Journal of Animal Diversity

Journal of Animal Diversity

Species–area relationships in anthropogenically modified green spaces: Species–area dynamics in anthropogenic landscapes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Chetan Nag
Prathusha T
Amith S J
Centre for Urban Ecology, Bio-Diversity, Evolution and Climate Change (CUBEC) JAIN(Deemed-to-be UNIVERSITY) #319, 17th Cross, 25th Main, J P Nagar 6th Phase, Bengaluru Karnataka, India- 560078
Abstract
Urban environments are increasingly recognized for their potential to contribute to both local- and landscape-scale biodiversity conservation; however, the ecological functioning of managed green spaces remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated whether the classical species–area relationship (SAR) persists in anthropogenically modified urban landscapes using two golf course ecosystems in Karnataka, India, as model systems: Zion Hills Golf County (ZHGC), representing a larger, less urbanized, and structurally heterogeneous landscape, and Bangalore Golf Club (BGC), representing a smaller, spatially constrained site embedded within a densely urbanized matrix. Faunal diversity was assessed using species richness, abundance, evenness, and the Shannon–Wiener and Simpson diversity indices. Statistical analyses included Welch's two-sample t-test, Pearson's chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. ZHGC supported higher observed species richness (104 species) than BGC (59 species), consistent with differences in habitat area and ecological heterogeneity. Although differences in species abundance were not statistically significant (Welch's two-sample t-test, P > 0.05), strong and significant linear relationships between habitat area and species richness were observed for ZHGC (n = 12, R² = 0.8956, F₁,₁₀ = 85.76, P = 3.20 × 10⁻⁶) and BGC (n = 12, R² = 0.9587, F₁,₁₀ = 231.9, P = 3.03 × 10⁻⁸). Strong positive relationships between habitat area and species richness were observed at both sites. Although these managed ecosystems cannot replace natural forests, the findings suggest that larger, structurally complex urban green spaces can play an important role in maintaining biodiversity within metropolitan environments. The persistence of SAR patterns in these modified systems highlights the potential value of well-designed and ecologically managed urban green spaces as supplementary habitats supporting biodiversity in rapidly expanding cities.
Keywords
Biodiversity conservation
eecological scaling
spatial heterogeneity
Species richness
urban habitats
Subjects
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