How urban proximity shapes agricultural pest dynamics: a review

• Published in: Pest management science Vol. 81; no. 6; pp. 2704 - 2711
• Main Author: Blank, Lior
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.06.2025; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Agriculture; Animals; Cities; citizen science; community gardens; Complexity; crops; Distribution patterns; Ecosystem; Habitat fragmentation; heat island; Human settlements; Humans; Landscape ecology; Microclimate; Pest Control; pest management; Pests; plant pathogens; Population Dynamics; Populations; Review; source–sink dynamics; Spatial distribution; spillover; Urban agriculture; Urban environments; urban heat island; Urban heat islands; urban–rural gradients; spillover; urban agriculture; urban heat island; community gardens; source–sink dynamics; citizen science; landscape ecology; pest management; urban–rural gradients
• ISSN: 1526-498X; 1526-4998; 1526-4998
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.8671

Agricultural landscapes adjacent to human settlements are subject to unique ecological dynamics that influence pest populations, yet the complexity of these relationships remains relatively underexplored. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the impacts of urban proximity on agricultural plant pathogen pest dynamics, focusing on spatial distribution patterns, theoretical frameworks from landscape ecology, and the specific mechanisms driving these interactions. The urban heat island effect, habitat fragmentation, and human activities contribute to altered microclimates, reduced natural predator populations, and increased pest proliferation near settlements. Additionally, regulatory constraints on pest control near human communities further complicate management efforts. The role of urban environments as potential sources of agricultural pests is analyzed through empirical case studies, highlighting both predictable patterns and varying outcomes depending on specific local conditions. Gaps in understanding the movement of pests across urban–agricultural boundaries are discussed, alongside recommendations for future research aimed at enhancing pest control strategies in these complex landscapes. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. This review explores how proximity to human settlements affects agricultural pest and pathogen dynamics, highlighting the roles of microclimatic conditions, biological aspects, and management effects. It underscores the need for integrated pest management strategies to address these complex interactions and enhance sustainable agriculture.