Urban plant diversity is influenced by socioeconomic factors, not just ecological ones. A study in the Central Arizona–Phoenix region found that variables like family income, housing age, and land use better explained plant diversity than traditional ecological factors like elevation and geomorphology. The research suggests a "luxury effect," where higher wealth correlates with greater plant diversity in urban areas, possibly due to education, cultural preferences, and institutional control. Urban landscapes often replace native vegetation with exotic species, creating "oases" in arid regions. Wealthier neighborhoods tend to have more diverse plant communities, and newer housing developments also show higher diversity. Elevation still plays a role, but urbanization has shifted the primary drivers of diversity. The study highlights the need to consider socioeconomic factors in understanding urban ecosystems, as human preferences and resource availability significantly influence plant diversity. The findings suggest that urban plant diversity is more about human choices and financial resources than natural resource availability. Further research is needed to explore the complex interactions between socioeconomic factors, land use, and plant diversity in urban environments.Urban plant diversity is influenced by socioeconomic factors, not just ecological ones. A study in the Central Arizona–Phoenix region found that variables like family income, housing age, and land use better explained plant diversity than traditional ecological factors like elevation and geomorphology. The research suggests a "luxury effect," where higher wealth correlates with greater plant diversity in urban areas, possibly due to education, cultural preferences, and institutional control. Urban landscapes often replace native vegetation with exotic species, creating "oases" in arid regions. Wealthier neighborhoods tend to have more diverse plant communities, and newer housing developments also show higher diversity. Elevation still plays a role, but urbanization has shifted the primary drivers of diversity. The study highlights the need to consider socioeconomic factors in understanding urban ecosystems, as human preferences and resource availability significantly influence plant diversity. The findings suggest that urban plant diversity is more about human choices and financial resources than natural resource availability. Further research is needed to explore the complex interactions between socioeconomic factors, land use, and plant diversity in urban environments.