Vivendo em meio a extinções, espécies invasoras, híbridos tecnológicos e mutações: a natureza híbrida no Antropoceno

Abstract

The Anthropocene is characterized as a period in which human activities exert a profound global influence on the planet’s natural dynamics and ecosystem functioning. As a consequence, many species are being driven to extinction, while others adapt, and new species emerge through the establishment of novel ecological niches. Drawing on ecological, biological, environmental, and biogeographical perspectives, we also examine the principal drivers, consequences, and processes of species extinction, alongside the adaptive strategies of selected groups to emerging environmental conditions. Additionally, we discuss the dominant mechanisms of speciation in the Anthropocene and the attributes of a nature increasingly shaped by human activity and technology. Adaptation in many species is facilitated by genetic mutations, such as polyploidy in plants, as well as by their capacity to become widely dispersed invasive species. Moreover, a new category of organisms is emerging: “technological hybrids”, laboratory-engineered entities that combine natural components with human technology. The convergence of natural and anthropogenic elements presents complex challenges for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience, ethical governance, social equity, and climate stability. Humanity and its technologies share the responsibility of ensuring that this hybrid nature delivers benefits to both human societies and the myriad other organisms that inhabit Earth’s ecosystems. In addition to the theoretical debate, this study investigates the karyotypic evolutionary mechanisms underlying the adaptation of plants in urban environments, reflecting the new environmental realities of the Anthropocene. We analyzed the structure of spontaneous herbaceous vegetation, considering abundance, frequency, density, number of individuals, and the Importance Value Index (IVI), in 100 plots of 1 m² distributed across 10 cities in Paraíba, Brazil. Species were classified according to origin (native or invasive) and ploidy level (diploid or polyploid). Chromosome counts were conducted for all surveyed species. In total, we recorded 8,779 individuals belonging to 18 families, 32 genera, and 39 species. Species richness was similar between native and invasive groups. However, invasive species exhibited higher IVI values. Polyploidy occurred in 61.5% of the species analyzed, including those with the highest IVIs. These results suggest that widely distributed polyploid plants, regardless of origin, tend to possess enhanced adaptive and survival capacities in the Anthropocene.