Synanthropy

Synanthropy is the ecological association of wild species with human environments. Synanthropic species exploit resources or habitats created by people, often living near settlements without being domesticated.

Urban ecology: The study of ecological processes and relationships in urban environments. It examines the habitat changes and species interactions that produce synanthropic communities.
Urban wildlife: Wild animals that live in or regularly use urban environments. These animals are among the most visible synanthropic species.
Domestication: The process by which humans shape inherited traits in populations of plants or animals. Synanthropic species remain wild, even when they live close to people.
Rock pigeon: A pigeon species native to Eurasia and North Africa, now common in cities worldwide. Its urban populations depend heavily on structures and food associated with people.
Habitat fragmentation: The breaking of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Buildings and roads divide habitats while creating edges that some synanthropic species exploit.
Commensalism: An ecological interaction in which one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Some species benefit from human environments without measurably affecting people.
Urban adaptation: Evolutionary or behavioral change that improves survival or reproduction in cities. Synanthropy can occur without any demonstrated adaptation to urban conditions.
House mouse: A small rodent that has spread worldwide and often lives near human settlements. Its close association with buildings and stored food is a classic case.
Ecological niche: The conditions and resources that shape a species’ survival and reproduction. Human environments provide niches that some wild species can occupy.
Ruderal species: Species adapted to colonize disturbed or transient habitats. Disturbance-tolerant plants often thrive in habitats created by construction and land use.

Linked from 6 pages