Highlight Activities 2026: Effects of rapid urbanisation on human–snake conflicts in a tropical mega-city: Challenges to biodiversity conservation and healthcare systems

Rapid urbanisation in tropical cities is driving habitat loss and increasing overlap between human settlements and wildlife, intensifying human–wildlife conflicts. Interactions with snakes are among the most frequent and deadliest of these conflicts in the tropics, yet they remain poorly understood in many rapidly developing cities. This study uses participatory science data on human–snake encounters in the Bangkok region—a rapidly urbanising tropical megacity in Thailand—to examine how such conflicts vary along an urbanisation gradient and to assess their alignment with healthcare provision. Between February 2021 and January 2022, the Bangkok region accounted for approximately one-third of all snake encounters recorded nationally. Our analyses reveal complex patterns, with urbanisation intensity and grassland cover emerging as key drivers of both snake encounter rates and species richness. Recent urban expansion and the conversion of grasslands were associated with increased human–snake conflicts, suggesting that compact city development and careful land-use planning could help mitigate risks while supporting sustainable urban growth. In contrast, urban tree cover showed no significant relationship with snake encounters, indicating that tree-planting policies alone may not influence human–snake conflicts in tropical cities. Importantly, areas with high snake encounter risk were not well matched with hospital availability, accessibility, or capacity, highlighting critical gaps in healthcare preparedness. Overall, this study provides evidence to support integrated urban planning and public health strategies that balance development with habitat conservation, prioritise healthcare access in high-risk areas, and promote public awareness through participatory science to reduce human–snake conflicts and strengthen urban ecosystem resilience.

Ratnarathorn, N., Chotimanvijit, B., Sanunsilp, N., Laoungbua, P., Charoennitiwat, V., Kongrit, C., & Thaweepworadej, P. (2026). Effects of rapid urbanisation on human–snake conflicts in a tropical mega-city: Challenges to biodiversity conservation and healthcare systems. Landscape and Urban Planning, 269, 105582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2026.105582