Over half of the world’s human population lives in cities. Are species adapting to life in these novel urban environments? A global team of researchers (including Tiffany Longo, Jesse Bragger, and Summer Shaheed, shown in in the photo) used white clover as a study system to find out. They measured the production of a compound called hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in rural and urban clover plants. Production of HCN deters herbivores and increases tolerance to drought but has a cost: Clover must expend energy to produce HCN.
This study was conducted by a network of 287 scientists who sampled 110,019 white clover plants (Trifolium repens) in 160 cities globally. Why do you think they chose to study white clover instead of other plants like red maples, coconut palms, or redwoods? What’s one advantage and one disadvantage of conducting such a large collaboration?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the unique characteristics of white clover (Trifolium repens) that make it a suitable model organism for studying urban adaptation. Consider its widespread distribution, ease of sampling, and the specific traits like HCN production that can be clearly measured and compared across different environments.
2. Discuss the reasons why other plants like red maples, coconut palms, or redwoods might not have been chosen for this study. Consider factors such as their geographic distribution, growth rate, size, and the practicality of measuring specific adaptive traits in these species compared to white clover.
3. Explain one advantage of using a large collaborative network of scientists for this study. Consider aspects such as the ability to collect a vast amount of data across many different urban environments, which can provide a more comprehensive understanding of how species adapt to urban settings globally.
4. Discuss one potential disadvantage of such a large-scale collaborative effort. Consider challenges like coordinating research efforts across different locations, standardizing data collection methods to ensure consistency, and the complexities of managing and analyzing a large dataset.
5. Reflect on the implications of the findings from this study for our understanding of urban ecology and the adaptation of species to urban environments. Consider how this research can contribute to conservation efforts and urban planning to support biodiversity in cities.

Key Concepts

Urban Ecology

Urban ecology is the study of how living organisms interact with their environment in urban settings. It examines the adaptations of species to urbanization, including changes in behavior, physiology, and reproduction. Understanding urban ecology is crucial for assessing how species like white clover can thrive in cities, which often present unique challenges compared to rural habitats.

Chemical Ecology

Chemical ecology focuses on the chemical interactions between organisms and their environment, particularly how plants produce secondary metabolites like hydrogen cyanide (HCN). These compounds can serve various ecological functions, such as deterring herbivores or enhancing drought resistance. Studying HCN production in white clover helps researchers understand the trade-offs plants face in urban environments where stressors differ from rural areas.

Collaborative Research

Collaborative research involves multiple scientists or institutions working together to address complex questions, often leading to more comprehensive data collection and analysis. In this study, the collaboration of 287 scientists allowed for a large-scale sampling of white clover across diverse urban environments. While this approach can yield robust findings, it may also present challenges such as coordination difficulties and varying methodologies among researchers.