Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species Level

With accelerating urbanization, urban expansion poses a significant threat to biodiversity, especially to endemic species, which are more sensitive to land use changes. However, to date, the impacts of future urban expansion at the species level in China on endemic species remain unclear. This study...

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Main Authors: Kangyao Liu, Xinxin Wu, Xiaoping Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/5/1005
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author Kangyao Liu
Xinxin Wu
Xiaoping Liu
author_facet Kangyao Liu
Xinxin Wu
Xiaoping Liu
author_sort Kangyao Liu
collection DOAJ
description With accelerating urbanization, urban expansion poses a significant threat to biodiversity, especially to endemic species, which are more sensitive to land use changes. However, to date, the impacts of future urban expansion at the species level in China on endemic species remain unclear. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the impact of future urban expansion on endemic species in China under the framework of the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) from 2015 to 2050 using multiple indicators, including suitable habitat area changes, habitat fragmentation, and species extinction risk. The results show that from the perspective of suitable habitat loss and extinction risk, the negative impact of urban expansion in China from 2015 to 2050 may be greater for endemic species than for other species with a wide distribution. In addition, more than 56% of the affected species suffer from exacerbated habitat fragmentation. Biodiversity loss is more serious in regions with high endemic species richness and in urban agglomerations with rapid urban development in the future. Endemic birds and amphibians show high sensitivity to threats of urban expansion from various perspectives. This study provides a basis for biodiversity conservation, guiding the balance between urban development and biodiversity protection.
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spelling doaj-art-987f0342a15445b48ecd1fca88accaeb2025-08-20T03:14:46ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-05-01145100510.3390/land14051005Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species LevelKangyao Liu0Xinxin Wu1Xiaoping Liu2Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-Simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, ChinaDivision of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaGuangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-Simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, ChinaWith accelerating urbanization, urban expansion poses a significant threat to biodiversity, especially to endemic species, which are more sensitive to land use changes. However, to date, the impacts of future urban expansion at the species level in China on endemic species remain unclear. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the impact of future urban expansion on endemic species in China under the framework of the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) from 2015 to 2050 using multiple indicators, including suitable habitat area changes, habitat fragmentation, and species extinction risk. The results show that from the perspective of suitable habitat loss and extinction risk, the negative impact of urban expansion in China from 2015 to 2050 may be greater for endemic species than for other species with a wide distribution. In addition, more than 56% of the affected species suffer from exacerbated habitat fragmentation. Biodiversity loss is more serious in regions with high endemic species richness and in urban agglomerations with rapid urban development in the future. Endemic birds and amphibians show high sensitivity to threats of urban expansion from various perspectives. This study provides a basis for biodiversity conservation, guiding the balance between urban development and biodiversity protection.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/5/1005urban expansionendemic speciessuitable habitatfragmentationshared socioeconomic pathways
spellingShingle Kangyao Liu
Xinxin Wu
Xiaoping Liu
Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species Level
Land
urban expansion
endemic species
suitable habitat
fragmentation
shared socioeconomic pathways
title Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species Level
title_full Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species Level
title_fullStr Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species Level
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species Level
title_short Impact of Future Urban Expansion on Endemic Species in China at the Species Level
title_sort impact of future urban expansion on endemic species in china at the species level
topic urban expansion
endemic species
suitable habitat
fragmentation
shared socioeconomic pathways
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/5/1005
work_keys_str_mv AT kangyaoliu impactoffutureurbanexpansiononendemicspeciesinchinaatthespecieslevel
AT xinxinwu impactoffutureurbanexpansiononendemicspeciesinchinaatthespecieslevel
AT xiaopingliu impactoffutureurbanexpansiononendemicspeciesinchinaatthespecieslevel