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 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 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 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.

Observations from shallow geothermal modelling case studies in Canada and the UK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Abesser ◽  
Robert Schincariol ◽  
Jasmin Raymond ◽  
Alejandro Garcia Gil ◽  
Jonathan Busby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Thermal Regime ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Geothermal Systems ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Geothermal Heat ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Functional Efficiency ◽  
The Uk

<p>Global demands for energy efficient heating and cooling systems coupled with rising commitments toward net zero emissions building infrastructure have resulted in wide deployment of shallow geothermal systems and in the continued growth in the global geothermal heat pump (GHP) market. With increasing deployment of these systems in urban areas, there is growing potential and risk for these systems to impact the subsurface thermal regime and to interact with each other or with nearby heat-sensitive subsurface infrastructures.</p><p>GHP systems have been studied in urban environments with respect to their effects on the subsurface thermal regime, and various modelling studies have investigated the sensitivity of their performance to key (hydro)geological and operational parameters. The focus of these studies has been on isolated systems, where flow conditions and background subsurface temperatures are assumed to be constant, impacted only by the modelled system itself during its operation. However, less attention has been paid to the effects on GHPs functional efficiency from perturbations in the wider hydrogeological and thermal regime, e.g. due to urbanization, multiple BHEs within tight (residential) clusters or competing subsurface uses requiring pumping of groundwater.</p><p>In this paper, we present three numerical modelling case studies, from the UK and Canada, which examine GHP systems response to perturbation of the wider hydrogeological and thermal regime. We investigate the influence of key parameters and different model realisations, e.g. relating to system design, unbalanced thermal ground loads and environmental conditions, on the modelled GHP system efficiencies and thermal interference. We highlight findings that are relevant from an economic point of view but also for regulations. Findings are discussed within the context of the contrasting design and operational pattern typical for the UK / Europe and Canada/ North America.</p>

scholarly journals Urbanization drives the evolution of parallel clines in plant populations

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1845) ◽  
pp. 20162180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken A. Thompson ◽  
Marie Renaudin ◽  
Marc T. J. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Ecosystems ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Freezing Damage ◽  
Urban Centre ◽  
Dominant Feature ◽  
Urbanization Gradients ◽  
The City

Urban ecosystems are an increasingly dominant feature of terrestrial landscapes. While evidence that species can adapt to urban environments is accumulating, the mechanisms through which urbanization imposes natural selection on populations are poorly understood. The identification of adaptive phenotypic changes (i.e. clines) along urbanization gradients would facilitate our understanding of the selective factors driving adaptation in cities. Here, we test for phenotypic clines in urban ecosystems by sampling the frequency of a Mendelian-inherited trait—cyanogenesis—in white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) populations along urbanization gradients in four cities. Cyanogenesis protects plants from herbivores, but reduces tolerance to freezing temperatures. We found that the frequency of cyanogenic plants within populations decreased towards the urban centre in three of four cities. A field experiment indicated that spatial variation in herbivory is unlikely to explain these clines. Rather, colder minimum winter ground temperatures in urban areas compared with non-urban areas, caused by reduced snow cover in cities, may select against cyanogenesis. In the city with no cline, high snow cover might protect plants from freezing damage in the city centre. Our study suggests that populations are adapting to urbanization gradients, but regional climatic patterns may ultimately determine whether adaptation occurs.

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 Bird visit to Ficus benjamina in two urbanization gradients in the tropics

2021 ◽  
Vol 948 (1) ◽  
pp. 012061
Author(s):  
A Mardiastuti ◽  
Y A Mulyani ◽  
M D Kusrini
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Tree Sparrow ◽  
Ficus Benjamina ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Bird Habitat ◽  
Eurasian Tree Sparrow ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Urbanization Gradients

Abstract Fig trees area believed to be important bird habitat in the tropics, including in urban areas. The research objective was to reveal the bird species that visited Ficus benjamina in the low and high urbanization gradients in the tropics. Data were obtained in IPB University Darmaga Campus (low urbanization) and Sentul City (high urbanization) in Bogor (West Java, Indonesia), through direct observations of four trees per site in the morning, midday, late afternoon, and night, totalling 276 observation hours. Total of 29 bird species visited F. benjamina trees (26 species in low urbanization, 12 species in high), mainly insectivores, nectarivores, and frugivores birds. Nine species were common in both sites, i.e., Spotted Dove, Plaintive Cuckoo, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Small Minivet, Common Iora, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Common Tailorbird, Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker, and Olive-backed Sunbirds. Nocturnal birds (Collared Scops Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar) were present in low urbanization, but absent in high urbanization site, so did kingfishers (White-throated Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher) and some other urbanization-prone species. The high urbanization site was characterized by the presence of Eurasian Tree Sparrow at the fig tree. This study showed that F. benjamina has an important role for diurnal and nocturnal birds, even in the high urbanization site.

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.

scholarly journals The power of community science to quantify ecological interactions in cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanna J. Putman ◽  
Riley Williams ◽  
Enjie Li ◽  
Gregory B. Pauly
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Impervious Surface Cover ◽  
Community Science ◽  
Urbanization Gradients ◽  
Alligator Lizard ◽  
Study Species

AbstractStudying animals in urban environments is especially challenging because much of the area is private property not easily accessible to professional scientists. In addition, collecting data on animals that are cryptic, secretive, or rare is also challenging due to the time and resources needed to amass an adequate dataset. Here, we show that community science can be a powerful tool to overcome these challenges. We used observations submitted to the community science platform iNaturalist to assess predation and parasitism across urbanization gradients in a secretive, ‘hard-to-study’ species, the Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata). From photographs, we quantified predation risk by assessing tail injuries and quantified parasitism by counting tick loads on lizards. We found that tail injuries increased with age and with urbanization, suggesting that urban areas are risky habitats. Conversely, parasitism decreased with urbanization likely due to a loss of hosts and anti-tick medications used on human companion animals. This community science approach generated a large dataset on a secretive species rapidly and at an immense spatial scale that facilitated quantitative measures of urbanization (e.g. percent impervious surface cover) as opposed to qualitative measures (e.g. urban vs. rural). We therefore demonstrate that community science can help resolve ecological questions that otherwise would be difficult to address.

DETECTING HIDDEN FAULTS IN URBAN AREAS: CASE STUDIES AND METHODOLOGIES

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda R. Hultz ◽  
◽  
Kerri M. Gefeke ◽  
Kerri M. Gefeke ◽  
Elana Balch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Areas
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