A review of the influence of the urbanization on the vertebrate fauna in the city of plovdiv

Abstract

The current paper reviews the available literary data as well as original unpublished data on the distribution and the species' richness of the vertebrate fauna (Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia and Mammalia) in the city of Plovdiv (South Bulgaria) and its relations to the level of urbanization. The species richness of each vertebrate group was presented, along a spatial gradient denoted by three points, representing low, moderate, and high levels of urbanization. We recorded no visible total general pattern of decrease of the total species richness in all studied vertebrate groups from the rural zones to the city center. Some differences in species richness along the urban—rural gradient apparently exist among the taxa. The only vertebrate group that showed a degrease pattern in the species richness from the rural to urban zones were the amphibians. Similar pattern was recorded in the reptiles, except for the urban zone, where a slight increase in the species richness was observed. The fishes and mammals showed very peculiar distribution pattern along the urban-rural gradient with highest species richness in the suburban zone. Possible explanations of these patterns are discussed. © 2009 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.