Recent research published in Nature Cities highlights that artificial light at night (ALAN) has a greater impact than temperature on extending urban growing seasons, challenging traditional ecological models.
Satellite remote sensing data and ground-based observations were used to show that areas with higher nighttime artificial lighting experience prolonged growing seasons, altering plant phenology.
Plants perceive artificial lighting as an extension of daylight, leading to continued photosynthetic activity and disrupted circadian rhythms, affecting growth forms and susceptibility to pests.
The study raises questions about existing phenological models' lack of consideration for urban lighting environments and suggests incorporating ALAN to enhance predictive accuracy.
The interplay between ALAN and urban warming can impact metabolic rates, carbon sequestration dynamics, and contribute to the urban heat island effect.
Suggestions for ecologically informed lighting designs, particularly focusing on the spectral characteristics of light sources like blue-rich white LEDs, are proposed to mitigate biological disruptions.
ALAN-induced phenological shifts may lead to ecological consequences such as changes in invasive species dynamics, altered plant-pollinator interactions, and reshaped ecosystems.
The research underlines the need for interdisciplinary collaborations to address the ecological impact of ALAN through novel experimental designs, monitoring technologies, and policy frameworks.
The study emphasizes the urgent need to rethink urban planning to harmonize technological advancements with nature, recognizing ALAN as a significant force shaping planetary plant life cycles.