Leveraging publicly available data to facilitate urban ecology and evolution

Shawn Anthony Arreguin, Joseph F Walker, Natalie L.R. Love

The intensifying pace of urbanization has prompted researchers to investigate its ecological and evolutionary consequences more deeply, yet logistic and monetary challenges can impose a barrier to research. Publicly available databases offer scientists from broad backgrounds an opportunity to circumvent those barriers, enhancing participation in urban ecology and evolution. In conjunction with computational advances, these datasets allow research to be done in silico - entirely with a computer connected to the internet. Throughout this review, we highlight how in silico approaches allow researchers to test their own hypotheses, thereby radically advancing our understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes that shape life in cities. By collating presently used databases, covering emerging tools and resources, and presenting biases and limitations of these data, we hope that this review will act as a guide for interested researchers. Opportunities to take part in this exciting field of research will continue to grow as new databases and associated tools are developed.