Effects of the Center-Edge Gradient and Habitat Type on the Spatial Distribution of Plant Species Richness in Santiago, Chile.

ABSTRACT: Cities host a heterogeneous composition of native and exotic plants, yet the spatial distribution of plant richness and its drivers remain poorly understood. We evaluated the influence of the center-edge gradient, along the environmental gradient from the historic city center to the urban edge, and habitat type, reflecting local conditions, on plant richness in Santiago, Chile. Sidewalks, parks, and vacant lots (n = 234 per habitat type) were randomly sampled across varying distances from the historic center and urban edge, recording neighborhood socioeconomic level and municipality. Four richness metrics were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs): total richness, richness by origin (native or exotic), and richness by life form (trees, shrubs, or herbs), considering

SUBMITTER: Castro SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12656292 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature