Over the last few decades, maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions in urban areas has become a challenge. In this study, I investigated the grassland vegetation of three urban habitat types, namely, peri-urban areas, urban roadsides and vacant lots in the city of Izmir (Western Turkey). I used 50 sampling plots for each habitat type resulting in 150 plots in total for the analysis. I tested (1) whether different disturbance levels affect species richness/diversity and composition along urban-rural gradient, and (2) whether biotic homogenisation strongly occurs in disturbed habitats. I found that the species richness/diversity and composition were strongly affected by different disturbance levels in urban areas. Urban roadsides (which were in intermediate position along the urban-rural gradient) showed the lowest species richness, Shannon and Simpson diversity, while vacant lots and peri-urban grasslands had higher species richness and diversity. These results contradict the urban-rural gradient hypothesis which predicted the lowest species richness at the urban end of the gradient. Few alien species were found with only slightly increasing abundances due to disturbances. Considerable biotic homogenisation did not occur. The study system was probably relatively resistant to disturbances. The Mediterranean climate and long history of human influence in the study area have been a reason for such resistance. Urban grasslands play important role in urban biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, therefore they are important for human well-being.

在过去的几十年中，维持城市地区的生物多样性和生态系统功能已成为一项挑战。在这项研究中，我调查了伊兹密尔市（土耳其西部）三种城市栖息地类型的草地植被，即郊区地区，城市路边和空地。我对每种栖息地类型都使用了50个样地，总共进行了150个样地分析。我测试了（1）不同的干扰水平是否会沿城乡梯度影响物种的丰富度/多样性和组成，以及（2）生物同质化是否在受干扰的栖息地中强烈发生。我发现，物种丰富度/多样性和组成受城市地区不同干扰水平的强烈影响。城市路边（沿城乡梯度处于中间位置）显示的物种丰富度最低，香农和辛普森的多样性，而空地和郊区草地的物种丰富度和多样性更高。这些结果与城乡梯度假设相矛盾，该假设预测了梯度城市末端的物种丰富度最低。由于干扰，很少发现外来物种的丰度仅略有增加。没有发生相当大的生物均质化。研究系统可能相对抗干扰。地中海气候和人类在研究区的悠久历史一直是造成这种抵抗的原因。城市草原在城市生物多样性和生态系统功能中发挥着重要作用，因此对人类福祉至关重要。这些结果与城乡梯度假设相矛盾，该假设预测了梯度城市末端的物种丰富度最低。由于干扰，很少发现外来物种的丰度仅略有增加。没有发生相当大的生物均质化。研究系统可能相对抗干扰。地中海气候和人类在研究区的悠久历史一直是造成这种抵抗的原因。城市草原在城市生物多样性和生态系统功能中发挥着重要作用，因此对人类福祉至关重要。这些结果与城乡梯度假设相矛盾，该假设预测了梯度城市末端的物种丰富度最低。由于干扰，很少发现外来物种的丰度仅略有增加。没有发生相当大的生物均质化。研究系统可能相对抗干扰。地中海气候和人类在研究区的悠久历史一直是造成这种抵抗的原因。城市草原在城市生物多样性和生态系统功能中发挥着重要作用，因此对人类福祉至关重要。研究系统可能相对抗干扰。地中海气候和人类在研究区的悠久历史一直是造成这种抵抗的原因。城市草原在城市生物多样性和生态系统功能中发挥着重要作用，因此对人类福祉至关重要。研究系统可能相对抗干扰。地中海气候和人类在研究区的悠久历史一直是造成这种抵抗的原因。城市草原在城市生物多样性和生态系统功能中发挥着重要作用，因此对人类福祉至关重要。