Habitat use by grey-crowned babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis, in urban and peri-urban environments

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Kathryn Teare Ada Lambert ◽  
Hugh Ford
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Urban Landscapes

Habitat loss in the urban environment leads to a high rate of local extinction of native fauna. In contrast, where key habitat structures, such as woody debris, shrubs and trees, are maintained, urban landscapes can retain many native species. To manage urban habitats successfully for urban bird communities, it is, therefore, necessary to understand the habitat requirements of the species using them. We have previously shown that the grey-crowned babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis, exhibits similar mean weight, sex ratio and group size in natural and altered habitat in and around Dubbo, New South Wales. In the present study, we detail the movements and habitat use of the groups that inhabit urban areas. We found that groups behaved similarly in urban and peri-urban areas, but showed small differences in the frequency of behaviours, based on the habitat feature that was available. The results suggested that, despite the decline of the grey-crowned babbler in the southern parts of its range, this species is able to survive in altered habitats, if nesting habitat and ground cover remain available and neighbouring groups persist nearby. Because other woodland bird species have shown similar responses to urban environments, managers of urban parkland should provide foraging substrates for a variety of woodland bird species, including vulnerable species, to ameliorate threatening processes and protect key habitat requirements.

Diversity of organisms

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip James
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
The Common ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Diversity Of Life

The focus of this chapter is an examination of the diversity of living organisms found within urban environments, both inside and outside buildings. The discussion commences with prions and viruses before moving on to consider micro-organisms, plants, and animals. Prions and viruses cause disease in plants and animals, including humans. Micro-organisms are ubiquitous and are found in great numbers throughout urban environments. New technologies are providing new insights into their diversity. Plants may be found inside buildings as well as in gardens and other green spaces. The final sections of the chapter offer a discussion of the diversity of animals that live in urban areas for part or all of their life cycle. Examples of the diversity of life in urban environments are presented throughout, including native and non-native species, those that are benign and deadly, and the common and the rare.

scholarly journals Tolerance to Human Presence, a Comparison between Rural and Urban Birds in Southeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Maria Cecília Barbosa de Toledo
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Urban Birds ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Individual Bird

Green urban areas such as parks, squares, gardens, and forest fragments present a large diversity of uses and conservation objectives. These spaces provide resources for many species of birds that are confronted with the necessity of living in proximity to humans. It is assumed that bird species that acquire resources in urban environments live in a constant state of fear to guarantee survival and reproduction. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of birds with respect to human presence in two distinct conditions, rural areas (low level of human presence) and urban areas (high level of human presence). The fieldwork was conducted in a city in the Southeast region of Brazil, and the methodology used the alert distance and flight initiation measurements based on the approach of an observer to the individual bird being focused. Our results suggest that individuals observed in urban areas rely on shorter alert and escape distances, especially males, adults, and birds that forage in interspecific flocks. We discuss the challenges and strategies with respect to escape characteristics of urban birds, with special focus on the economic escape theory. In general, our results support those from studies conducted in other urban areas in different biogeographic regions, and they will aid in comprehending the impacts caused by the increase in urban areas around the world.

The ecological and evolutionary consequences of systemic racism in urban environments

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 369 (6510) ◽  
pp. eaay4497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Schell ◽  
Karen Dyson ◽  
Tracy L. Fuentes ◽  
Simone Des Roches ◽  
Nyeema C. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Ecology ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Systemic Racism ◽  
Emergent Structure ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
Social Components ◽  
Evolutionary Consequences

Urban areas are dynamic ecological systems defined by interdependent biological, physical, and social components. The emergent structure and heterogeneity of urban landscapes drives biotic outcomes in these areas, and such spatial patterns are often attributed to the unequal stratification of wealth and power in human societies. Despite these patterns, few studies have effectively considered structural inequalities as drivers of ecological and evolutionary outcomes and have instead focused on indicator variables such as neighborhood wealth. In this analysis, we explicitly integrate ecology, evolution, and social processes to emphasize the relationships that bind social inequities—specifically racism—and biological change in urbanized landscapes. We draw on existing research to link racist practices, including residential segregation, to the heterogeneous patterns of flora and fauna observed by urban ecologists. In the future, urban ecology and evolution researchers must consider how systems of racial oppression affect the environmental factors that drive biological change in cities. Conceptual integration of the social and ecological sciences has amassed considerable scholarship in urban ecology over the past few decades, providing a solid foundation for incorporating environmental justice scholarship into urban ecological and evolutionary research. Such an undertaking is necessary to deconstruct urbanization’s biophysical patterns and processes, inform equitable and anti-racist initiatives promoting justice in urban conservation, and strengthen community resilience to global environmental change.

scholarly journals Urbanization, environmental stabilization and temporal persistence of bird species: a view from Latin America

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e6056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Matías Leveau
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Temporal Scales ◽  
Urbanization Gradients ◽  
Temporal Stabilization ◽  
Bird Composition

BackgroundA scarcely studied consequence of urbanization is the effect of temporal stabilization of the environment on bird communities. This alteration is thought to dampen environmental variations between day and night, seasons and years, promoting a temporal persistence of bird composition in urban areas. The aim of this study was to review current evidence of temporal stabilization of biotic and abiotic factors in urban environments and the potential effects of such stabilization on temporal variation of bird species presence at different temporal scales.MethodsI selected the literature by searching published articles and book chapters using Scopus and Google scholar. I only included articles that compared the temporal variation of bird composition or resources between different levels of urbanization.ResultsIn general, there is evidence of temporal stabilization of abiotic and biotic factors at the three time scales considered. At the diurnal scale, the main factor considered was artificial light in the context of light pollution. At the seasonal and interannual scales, several case studies found a smaller temporal variation of primary productivity in urban than in natural and rural areas. Bird species composition showed more stabilization in urban environments at the three temporal scales: (1) several case studies reported bird activity at night, associated with artificial light; (2) studies in urban parks and along urbanization gradients showed smaller seasonal variation of bird composition in the more urbanized areas; and (3) in general, case studies along urbanization gradients showed smaller interannual variation of bird composition in the more urbanized areas, although some studies showed no relationships or opposite trends than expected.DiscussionThe published evidence suggests that urban areas dampen the natural cycles at several temporal scales. The stabilization of biotic and abiotic factors, such as light, temperature, food and habitat structure, is desynchronized from natural diurnal, seasonal and interannual cycles. However, there is a dearth of long-term comparisons of bird composition and studies that simultaneously analyze the relationship between resources and bird composition stabilization at the seasonal and interannual scales. More research is needed in the Southern hemisphere, where there is a lack of studies dealing with the seasonal and interannual variations of primary productivity along urbanization gradients and nocturnal activity of bird species. A future research agenda should include differentiation of spatial and temporal homogenization of avifaunas.

scholarly journals Restoration of eucalypt grassy woodland: effects of experimental interventions on ground-layer vegetation

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 570 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McIntyre ◽  
R. B. Cunningham ◽  
C. F. Donnelly ◽  
A. D. Manning
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Ground Layer ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Main Driver

We report on the effects of broad-scale restoration treatments on the ground layer of eucalypt grassy woodland in south-eastern Australia. The experiment was conducted in two conservation reserves from which livestock grazing had previously been removed. Changes in biomass, species diversity, ground-cover attributes and life-form were analysed over a 4-year period in relation to the following experimental interventions: (1) reduced kangaroo density, (2) addition of coarse woody debris and (3) fire (a single burn). Reducing kangaroo density doubled total biomass in one reserve, but no effects on exotic biomass, species counts or ground cover attributes were observed. Coarse woody debris also promoted biomass, particularly exotic annual forbs, as well as plant diversity in one of the reserves. The single burn reduced biomass, but changed little else. Overall, we found the main driver of change to be the favourable growth seasons that had followed a period of drought. This resulted in biomass increasing by 67%, (mostly owing to the growth of perennial native grasses), whereas overall native species counts increased by 18%, and exotic species declined by 20% over the 4-year observation period. Strategic management of grazing pressure, use of fire where biomass has accumulated and placement of coarse woody debris in areas of persistent erosion will contribute to improvements in soil and vegetation condition, and gains in biodiversity, in the future.

Dietary breadth as a predictor of potential native avian–human conflict in urban landscapes

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry E. Charles ◽  
Wayne L. Linklater
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Theoretic Approach ◽  
Landscape Characteristics ◽  
Dietary Breadth ◽  
Human Conflict

Context Avian–human conflict is a growing issue in urban areas, yet studies of conflict tend to be species and situation specific and focus on landscape characteristics that generate or exacerbate the problem. Aims To determine characteristics of bird species that cause conflict in urban areas within their native range and to develop a model that can be used to assess the relative likelihood of a New Zealand species causing conflict in the future. Methods Ecological, behavioural and life-history characteristics of 33 conflict-causing species identified from the literature and 106 randomly selected non-conflict congeners were compared using an information-theoretic approach to multi-model selection and inference. Variables from the confidence set of models were used to develop a model that was applied to the New Zealand urban avifauna to provide a relative measure of a species’ potential to generate conflict. Key results A model including only dietary breadth best explained the conflict (ωi = 0.833). Using dietary breadth, flocking, clutch size, granivory, territoriality and non-ground nesting – the confidence model set – New Zealand’s native pukeko (Porphyrio porphyria), red-billed gull, (Larus scopulinus), and kākā (Nestor meridionalis) were identified as the three species most likely to generate conflict with urban residents. Conclusions Broad dietary requirements may allow a species to take advantage of novel and varied food sources in the urban environment and lead to population growth. Large populations at high density may amplify problems, exceeding residents’ tolerance levels and resulting in conflict. Species characteristics relating to nesting, sociality and body size were found to be uninformative. Implications Species with a broad diet, particularly those identified by this study as having a high potential for conflict, should be the focus of monitoring to identify population growth and the emergence of problems in urban areas. This will allow proactive implementation of management, improving the likelihood of conflict mitigation.

scholarly journals Restoration of slash pile burn scars to prevent establishment and propagation of non-native plants

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1042-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. DeSandoli ◽  
R. Turkington ◽  
L.H. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Burn Scar ◽  
Native Seed

Logging and burning of the resultant woody debris is a management tool to reduce fire risk. Burning of the debris as piles affects the underlying soil biota and soil physical and (or) chemical properties. The resulting disturbance created by the burns may create opportunities for the establishment and spread of non-native plant species. Here, we test three restoration treatments on recent, approximately 1-year-old, pile burn scars, including an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculant (present or absent), a ground cover (straw or no straw added), and different seeding types (native seed mix, agronomic seed mix, and no seed). The most effective treatment in reducing undesired non-native species cover was the seeding of agronomic species; here “native” and “non-native” groups exclude sown agronomic species. Undesired non-native cover was 15.1% in plots with no seed, 9.1% in plots with native seed added, and 3.5% in plots with agronomic seed added. Total vegetation cover, mostly through the increase of agronomic species, was increased by seeding and by the application of straw cover. Commercial AMF inoculum was an ineffective treatment, suggesting that a better understanding of host specificity is warranted. Restoration efforts should be directed at burn scar sites after burning to ameliorate the effects of invasive species colonization, and the use of agronomic species may prevent non-native invasive plants from establishing.

scholarly journals Guided by the light: Roost choice and behaviour of urban Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Savannah Daoud-Opit ◽  
Darryl N. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rainbow Lorikeet ◽  
Individual Trees ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract 1. The formation of large communal roosts is a conspicuous phenomenon associated with a wide range of bird species successfully exploiting urban environments. In many Australian cities, the abundance of the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus), a native parrot, has increased markedly in recent decades, with the species roosting in very large numbers within suburban sites. These roosting locations are noisy and cause significant fouling of the land beneath, resulting in conflict with humans. 2. We investigated the selection of roosting sites in this species in Brisbane, Australia, by comparing characteristics of both the general sites of these roosts as well as individual trees used within roosting sites and trees that were avoided. 3. Lorikeets used a wide variety of tree types for roosting but demonstrated a clear preference for clumped trees within sparsely treed areas that received significantly more artificial light at night than otherwise suitable sites and trees nearby. 4. These features of roosting sites may enhance the detection of nocturnal predators by Rainbow Lorikeets, suggesting a potential positive impact of anthropogenic lighting. Our findings provide valuable insights into the management of roost-related conflicts in urban areas. We encourage further investigations into the possible benefits of artificial light.

scholarly journals Urbanization, resources stabilization and the temporal persistence of bird species: A review

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Matías Leveau
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Temporal Scales ◽  
Urbanization Gradients ◽  
Temporal Stabilization ◽  
Bird Composition

Background. A scarcely studied consequence of urbanization is the effect of the temporal stabilization of habitat structure and resources on bird communities. This alteration is thought to dampen environmental variations between day and night, seasons and years, promoting a temporal persistence of bird composition in urban environments. The aim of this study is to review actual evidence of temporal stabilization of habitats and resources in urban environments, and its potential effects on the temporal variation of bird species presence among different temporal scales. Methods. Selection of literature was made by searching published articles and book chapters using Google scholar. I only included articles that compared the temporal variation of bird composition or resources between different levels of urbanization. Results. In general, there is evidence of temporal stabilization of habitat structure and resources along the three scales considered. At the diurnal scale, the main factor considered was artificial light in the context of light pollution. At the seasonal and interannual scales, several case studies found a lesser temporal variation of primary productivity in urban areas compared with natural and rural areas. Bird species composition showed more stabilization in urban environments at the three temporal scales: 1) several case studies reported bird feeding at night, associated with artificial light; 2) studies in urban parks and along urbanization gradients showed lower seasonal variation of bird composition in the more urbanized areas; and 3) in general, case studies along urbanization gradients showed lower interannual variation of bird composition in the more urbanized areas, although some studies showed no relationships or opposed trends than expected. Discussion. The published evidence suggests that urban areas dampen the natural cycles at several temporal scales. The stabilization of biotic and abiotic factors, such as light, temperature, food and habitat structure are desynchronized from natural diurnal, seasonal and interannual cycles. However, there is a dearth of studies that simultaneously analyze the relationship between resources and bird composition stabilization. I also emphasize the need to differentiate spatial and temporal homogenization of avifaunas for a future research agenda. Moreover, the relationship between urbanization and other taxa is also commented. Finally, I propose suggestions for future work at different spatial scales.

scholarly journals The role of invasion and urbanization gradients in shaping avian community composition

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M Rogers ◽  
Andrea S Griffin ◽  
Françoise Lermite ◽  
Berndt van Rensburg ◽  
Carla Archibald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
Common Myna ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Gradual Loss ◽  
A Site

Abstract The extent to which native species utilize urban environments depends on species responses to multiple threatening processes. Here, we aimed to quantify changes in bird communities in response to changing habitat structure, invasive species and aggressive native species. We conducted surveys in two independently invaded regions with similar patterns of urban development. The study regions were New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), Australia. We observed 127 species in NSW and 144 species in QLD. Most species (NSW 83 and QLD 84) are urban adapters making use of some or all urban sub-environments. Urban avoiders, species only found in remnant vegetation, were the second largest group (urban avoiders: NSW 23 and QLD 31). We found the lowest richness in the most urban sites (urban exploiters: NSW 10 and QLD 15). Using generalized linear mixed models, we found a non-significant relationship between species richness and the abundance of aggressive species like the common myna and noisy miners, Manorina melanocephala, but a significant positive correlation with the percentage of shrub cover at a site. As there is a gradual loss of species with increasing urbanization, retaining higher complexity in vegetation structure in urban areas will support large numbers of species and could help mitigate the potential impacts of aggressive urban-adapted species and habitat loss.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document