Marques, Piatã S.Manna, Luisa R.Mazzoni, RosanaEl-Sabaawi, Rana2025-10-272025-10-272019Marques, P. S., Manna, L. R., Mazzoni, R., & El-Sabaawi, R. (2019). Intraspecific trait variation in urban stream ecosystems: Toward understanding the mechanisms shaping urban stream communities. Freshwater Science, 38(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1086/701652https://doi.org/10.1086/701652https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22879The rapid expansion of urban centers is a critical threat to stream ecosystems, yet we currently lack mechanistic understanding of the effects of urbanization on stream communities. Here we explore how an intraspecific trait perspective can unveil mechanisms of change in urban stream communities. Intraspecific trait approaches are rarely used in urban aquatic ecosystems though their potential has been widely demonstrated in terrestrial systems. We begin by identifying several biotic and abiotic agents that can drive intraspecific trait changes in life history, behavior, morphology, and feeding in a range of urban stream organisms. We then propose that intraspecific trait-based approaches in urban streams can help explain the mechanisms underlying species persistence, biodiversity responses, functionality, and evolution and how they can potentially improve biomonitoring in urban streams. This trait-based information is essential to better understand, predict, and manage the impacts of urbanization on stream biota.enCC BY-NC 4.0adaptationanthropogenic impactcitiesevolutionplasticitytrait interactionsurban phenotypeArticleDepartment of Biology