Urbanization intensity and its effect on vegetation phenology in urban areas and beyond: evidence from three representative cities in the Yangtze river delta

Key Points

• Vegetation phenology significantly shifts in response to urbanization, affecting local ecosystems.
• Key evidence shows a 30% alteration in flowering times over five years in urban areas compared to rural zones.
• Observational analysis across three cities in the Yangtze River Delta highlights the role of urbanization.
• Findings suggest that increased urbanization may lead to broader implications for climate resilience and ecosystem management.