Avian assemblage along an urban gradient: diversity, abundance and richness

Rashid, Ghulam Mustafa; Butt, Abida; Qadir, Abdul; Ali, Mirza Habib

doi:10.2478/orhu-2020-0004

Abstract

Diversity in avian assemblages of urban (UR), peri-urban (PE) and rural (RU) areas was studied to explore variations in the avian community dynamics in rural – urban gradient. For this purpose, sampling was done from September 2013 to August 2015. A total of 35 sites, each covering an area of 300 m² were sampled by using point count method. At each site, randomly three points (minimally 5 m apart from each other) were selected to study the birds. According to data, species richness (F_{2, 32}=47.18, P<0.001) varied significantly along a rural-urban gradient. A significant difference in avian density per sampling site (F_{2, 32}=105.41, P<0.001) was also observed along urbanization gradient. In PE and RU areas, avian assemblages were more diverse than UR areas. Among avian guilds, omnivores were the most abundant in UR while insectivores in PE areas. Frugivores and carnivores were abundant in RU areas. Granivores were recorded in all habitats with similar diversity. A close association was recorded in bird density of RU and PE areas than UR areas. Bird species richness and diversity showed negative correlation with built area and positive correlation with vegetation cover in an area.

References

Abbasi, N. A., Khan, M. U., Jaspers, V. L. B., Chaudhry, M. J. I. & Malik, R. N. 2015. Spatial and interspecific variation of accumulated trace metals between remote and urbane dwelling birds of Pakistan. – Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 113(2): 79–286. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.11.03410.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.11.03425528378
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ali, A., Altaf, M. & Khan, M. S. H. 2016. Winter survey of birds at Keti Bunder, district Thatha, Pakistan. – Punjab University Journal of Zoology 31(2): 3–208.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ali, S. & Ripley, S. D. 1983. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition. – Oxford University Press, New Delhi and Oxford
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ali, S., Rakha, B. A., Hussain, I., Nadeem, M. S. & Rafique, M. 2013. Ecology of Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) in urban areas of Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Pakistan. – Pakistan Journal of Zoology 45(5): 1229–1234.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Altaf, M., Javid, A., Khan, A. M., Khan, M., Umair, M. & Ali, Z. 2018. Anthropogenic impact on the distribution of the birds in the tropical thorn forest, Punjab, Pakistan. – Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 11(2): 229–236. DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2018.03.00110.1016/j.japb.2018.03.001
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Anjum, W., Ahmad, S., Sanaullah, M., Majid, Z. & Mirza, K. 2016. Geographic information system and modeling approach for groundwater systems of Rechna Doab, Pakistan. – Pakistan Journal of Science 68(4): 470–476.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aronson, M. F., La Sorte, F. A., Nilon, C. H., Katti, M., Goddard, M. A., Lepczyk, C. A., Warren, P. S., Williams, N. S., Cilliers, S. & Clarkson, B. 2014. A global analysis of the impacts of urbanization on bird and plant diversity reveals key anthropogenic drivers. – Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 281(1780): 201–330. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.333010.1098/rspb.2013.3330402740024523278
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aynalem, S. & Bekele, A. 2008. Species composition, relative abundance and distribution of bird fauna of riverine and wetland habitats of Infranz and Yiganda at southern tip of Lake Tana, Ethiopia. – Tropical Ecology 49(2): 199–209.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Beissinger, S. R. & Osborne, D. R. 1982. Effects of urbanization on avian community organization. – The Condor 84(1): 75–83. DOI: 10.2307/1367825.10.2307/1367825
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bellanthudawa, B., Nawalage, N., Subanky, S., Panagoda, P., Weerasinghe, H., Tharaka, L., Handapangoda, H., Silva, H., Dissanayake, D. & Abeywickrama, M. 2019. Composition and diversity variation of avifauna, along different vegetative habitat types in a human-modified area, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. – International Journal of Zoology, pp. 1–16. DOI: 10.1155/2019/972760910.1155/2019/9727609
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Blair, R. B. 2001. Birds and butterflies along urban gradients in two ecoregions of the United States: is urbanization creating a homogeneous fauna? – Biotic Homogenization, Springer, pp. 33–56. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-1261-5_310.1007/978-1-4615-1261-5_3
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chace, J. F. & Walsh, J. J. 2006. Urban effects on native avifauna: a review. – Landscape and Urban Planning 74(1): 46–69. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2004.08.007.10.1016/j.landurbplan.2004.08.007
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Changder, S., Adhurya, S., Roy, U. S. & Banerjee, M. 2015. A report on midwinter bird diversity from Mangalajodi Wetland, Odisha. – ZOO’s Print Journal 30(12): 1–5.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chiari, C., Dinetti, M., Licciardello, C., Licitra, G. & Pautasso, M. 2010. Urbanization and the more-individuals hypothesis. – Journal of Animal Ecology 79(2): 366–371. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01631.x.10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01631.x19863631
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Clergeau, P., Jokimäki, J. & Snep, R. 2006. Using hierarchical levels for urban ecology. – Trends in Ecology & Evolution 21(12): 660–661. DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2006.09.00610.1016/j.tree.2006.09.00616996645
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dallimer, M., Rouquette, J. R., Skinner, A. M., Armsworth, P. R., Maltby, L. M., Warren, P. H. & Gaston, K. J. 2012. Contrasting patterns in species richness of birds, butterflies and plants along riparian corridors in an urban landscape. – Diversity and Distributions 18(8): 742–753. DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00891.x10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00891.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Davidar, P., Yoganand, T., Ganesh, T. & Joshi, N. 1997. An assessment of common and rare forest bird species of the Andaman Islands. – Forktail 12: 135–142. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2699.2001.00584.x10.1046/j.1365-2699.2001.00584.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dearborn, D. C. & Kark, S. 2010. Motivations for conserving urban biodiversity. – Conservation Biology 24(2): 432–440. DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01328.x.10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01328.x19775276
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Emlen, J. T. 1974. An urban bird community in Tucson, Arizona: derivation, structure, regulation. – The Condor 76(2): 184–197. DOI: 10.2307/136672910.2307/1366729
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Fernandez-Juricic, E. & Jokimäki, J. 2001. A habitat island approach to conserving birds in urban landscapes: case studies from southern and northern Europe. – Biodiversity & Conservation 10(12): 2023–2043. DOI: 10.1023/A:101313330898710.1023/A:1013133308987
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Fraterrigo, J. M. & Wiens, J. A. 2005. Bird communities of the Colorado Rocky Mountains along a gradient of exurban development. – Landscape and Urban Planning 71(2–4): 263–275. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurb-plan.2004.03.00810.1016/S0169-2046(04)00080-5
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Friesen, L. 1998. Impacts of urbanization on plant and bird communities in forest ecosystems. – The Forestry Chronicle 74(6): 855–860. DOI: 10.5558/tfc74855-610.5558/tfc74855-6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Garaffa, P. I., Filloy, J. & Bellocq, M. I. 2009. Bird community responses along urban-rural gradients: does the size of the urbanized area matter? – Landscape and Urban Planning 90(1–2): 33–41. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.10.004.10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.10.004
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C. & Inskipp, T. 2016. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. – Bloomsbury Publishing
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hansen, A. J. & Urban, D. L. 1992. Avian response to landscape pattern: the role of species’ life histories. – Landscape Ecology 7(3): 163–180. DOI: 10.1007/BF00133308.10.1007/BF00133308
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hensley, C. B., Trisos, C. H., Warren, P. S., MacFarland, J., Blumenshine, S., Reece, J. & Katti, M. 2019. Effects of urbanization on bird assemblages in three southwestern US cities. – Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7: 71. DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.0007110.3389/fevo.2019.00071
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hostetler, M. 2001. The importance of multi-scale analyses in avian habitat selection studies in urban environments. – In: Marzluff, J. M., Bowman, R. & Donnelly, R. (eds.) Avian Ecology and Conservation in an Urbanizing World. – Springer, Boston, MA. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-1531-9_710.1007/978-1-4615-1531-9_7
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jongman, R., Braak, C. & Van Tongeren, O. 1995. Data Analysis in Community and Landscape Ecology. – Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. DOI: 10.2307/253166510.2307/2531665
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Joshua, G. & Ali, Z. 2011. Avian diversity with the varying urban congestions of Lahore. – Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 21(4): 21–482.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Katuwal, H. B., Pradhan, N. M. B., Thakuri, J. J., Bhusal, K. P., Aryal, P. C. & Thapa, I. 2018. Effect of urbanization and seasonality in bird communities of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. – Proceedings of the Zoological Society 71: 103–113. DOI: 10.1007/s12595-018-0265-z10.1007/s12595-018-0265-z
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kent, M. & Coker, P. 1992. Vegetation Description and Analysis: A Practical Approach. – Belven Press, London. DOI: 10.2307/345142710.2307/3451427
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Khan, H. A., Beg, M. A. & Khan, A. A. 2004. Breeding habitats of the Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in the cultivations of Central Punjab. – Pakistan Journal of Zoology 36: 133–138.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Khan, M. Z., Tabbassum, F., Ghalib, S. A., Zehra, A., Hussain, B., Siddiqui, S., Yasmeen, G., Gabol, K., Mahmood, N. & Khan, I. S. 2014. Distribution population status and conservation of the birds in Karachi Sindh, Pakistan. – Canadian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 8(1): 2697–2713. DOI: 10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.01.05.10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.01.05
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kler, T. 2009. Some observations on the breeding activities of the Pied Myna Sturnus contra (Linn.). – Environment and Ecology 27(1): 213–215.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kluza, D. A., Griffin, C. R. & DeGraaf, R. M. 2000. Housing developments in rural New England: effects on forest birds. – Animal Conservation Forum 3: 15–26. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2000.tb00083.x.10.1111/j.1469-1795.2000.tb00083.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lancaster, R. K. & Rees, W. E. 1979. Bird communities and the structure of urban habitats. – Canadian Journal of Zoology 57(12): 2358–2368. DOI: 10.1139/z79-30710.1139/z79-307
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Leveau, L. M. & Leveau, C. M. 2016. Does urbanization affect the seasonal dynamics of bird communities in urban parks? – Urban Ecosystems 19(2): 631–647. DOI: 10.1007/s11252-016-0525-5.10.1007/s11252-016-0525-5
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lim, H. C. & Sodhi, N. S. 2004. Responses of avian guilds to urbanisation in a tropical city. – Landscape and Urban Planning 66(4): 199–215. DOI: 10.1016/S0169-2046(03)00111-7.10.1016/S0169-2046(03)00111-7
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Loyola, R. D. & Martins, R. P. 2008. Habitat structure components are effective predictors of trap-nesting Hymenoptera diversity. – Basic and Applied Ecology 9(6): 735–742. DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2007.06.01610.1016/j.baae.2007.06.016
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Luck, G. W. & Smallbone, L. T. 2010. Species diversity and urbanisation: patterns, drivers and implications. – In: Kevin, J. G. (ed.) Urban Ecology. – Cambridge University Press, pp. 88–119. DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511778483.006.10.1017/CBO9780511778483.006
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Machtans, C. S. & Latour, P. B. 2003. Boreal forest songbird communities of the Liard Valley, northwest territories, Canada. – The Condor 105(1): 27–44. DOI: 10.1093/condor/105.1.10.1093/condor/105.1.27
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Manjula, M., Mohanraj, R. & Devi, M. P. 2015. Biomonitoring of heavy metals in feathers of eleven common bird species in urban and rural environments of Tiruchirappalli, India. – Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 187(5): 4502. DOI: 10.1007/s10661-015-4502-x.10.1007/s10661-015-4502-x25893764
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Marzluff, J. M. & Ewing, K. 2001. Restoration of fragmented landscapes for the conservation of birds: a general framework and specific recommendations for urbanizing landscapes. – Restoration Ecology 9(3): 280–292. DOI: 10.1046/j.1526-100x.2001.009003280.x10.1046/j.1526-100x.2001.009003280.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McKinney, M. L. 2002. Urbanization, biodiversity and conservation. The impacts of urbanization on native species are poorly studied, but educating a highly urbanized human population about these impacts can greatly improve species conservation in all ecosystems. – BioScience 52(10): 883–890. DOI: 10.1641/0006-3568(2002)052[0883:UBAC]10.1641/0006-3568(2002)052[0883:UBAC]2.0.CO;2
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McKinney, M. L. 2006. Urbanization as a major cause of biotic homogenization. – Biological Conservation 127(3): 247–260. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2005.09.00510.1016/j.biocon.2005.09.005
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McKinney, M. L. 2008. Effects of urbanization on species richness: a review of plants and animals. – Urban Ecosystems 11(2): 161–176. DOI: 10.1007/s11252-007-0045-4.10.1007/s11252-007-0045-4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mehmood, H., Sajjad, S. & Shirazi, S. 2017. Spatio-temporal trends and patterns of urban sprawl in Gujranwala city, Punjab, Pakistan. – Pakistan Journal of Science 69(1): 63–68.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Melles, S., Glenn, S. & Martin, K. 2003. Urban bird diversity and landscape complexity: species-environment associations along a multiscale habitat gradient. – Conservation Ecology 7(1): 5. DOI: 10.5751/ES-00478-07010510.5751/ES-00478-070105
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mills, G. S., Dunning, Jr. J. B. & Bates, J. M. 1989. Effects of urbanization on breeding bird community structure in southwestern desert habitats. – The Condor 91(2): 416–428. DOI: 10.2307/1368320.10.2307/1368320
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ortega-Álvarez, R. & MacGregor-Fors, I. 2009. Living in the big city: Effects of urban land-use on bird community structure, diversity, and composition. – Landscape and Urban Planning 90(3–4): 189–195. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.11.00310.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.11.003
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Parsons, H., Major, R. E. & French, K. 2006. Species interactions and habitat associations of birds inhabiting urban areas of Sydney, Australia. – Austral Ecology 31(2): 217–227. DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2006.01584.x10.1111/j.1442-9993.2006.01584.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pattnaik, P., Das, M. & Parida, S. P. 2016. Preliminary study of avifauna diversity of Utkal University Campus, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. – Current Life Sciences 2(1): 20–26.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Peacock, D. S., van Rensburg, B. J. & Robertson, M. P. 2007. The distribution and spread of the invasive alien Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis L. (Aves: Sturnidae), in southern Africa. – South African Journal of Science 103(11–12): 465–473.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Peck, H. L., Pringle, H. E., Marshall, H. H., Owens, I. P. & Lord, A. M. 2014. Experimental evidence of impacts of an invasive parakeet on foraging behavior of native birds. – Behavioral Ecology 25(3): 582–590. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru025.10.1093/beheco/aru025401430724822022
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Peh, K. S-H. 2010. Invasive species in Southeast Asia: the knowledge so far. – Biodiversity and Conservation 19(4): 1083–1099. DOI: 10.1007/s10531-009-9624-4.10.1007/s10531-009-9624-4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Poulsen, B. O. 2002. Avian richness and abundance in temperate Danish forests: tree variables important to birds and their conservation. – Biodiversity & Conservation 11(9): 1551–1566. DOI: 10.1023/A:101683951817210.1023/A:1016839518172
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rajashekara, S. & Venkatesha, M. 2014. Insectivorous bird communities of diverse agro-ecosystems in the Bengaluru region, India. – Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2(5): 142–155.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rottenborn, S. C. 1999. Predicting the impacts of urbanization on riparian bird communities. Biological Conservation 88(3): 289–299. DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00128-110.1016/S0006-3207(98)00128-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sekercioglu, C. H. 2012. Bird functional diversity and ecosystem services in tropical forests, agroforests and agricultural areas. – Journal of Ornithology 153(1): 153–161. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-012-0869-410.1007/s10336-012-0869-4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Seress, G. & Liker, A. 2015. Habitat urbanization and its effects on birds. – Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 61(4): 373–408. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-012-0869-410.1007/s10336-012-0869-4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sergio, F., Pedrini, P. & Marchesi, L. 2003. Adaptive selection of foraging and nesting habitat by Black Kites (Milvus migrans) and its implications for conservation: a multi-scale approach. – Biological Conservation 112(3): 351–362. DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00332-4.10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00332-4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shochat, E., Lerman, S. & Fernández-Juricic, E. 2010. Birds in urban ecosystems: population dynamics, community structure, biodiversity, and conservation. – Urban Ecosystem Ecology 55(2010): 75–86. DOI: 10.2134/agronmonogr55.c410.2134/agronmonogr55.c4
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sol, D., González-Lagos, C., Lapiedra, O. & Díaz, M. 2017. Why are exotic birds so successful in urbanized environments? – In: Murgui, E. & Hedblom, M. (ed.) Ecology and Conservation of Birds in Urban Environments. – Springer, pp. 75–89. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-43314-1_5. 75.10.1007/978-3-319-43314-1_5
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tiwary, N. & Urfi, A. 2016. Spatial variations of bird occupancy in Delhi: The significance of woodland habitat patches in urban centres. – Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 20(3): 38–347. DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2016.10.00210.1016/j.ufug.2016.10.002
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Trammell, E. J. & Bassett, S. 2012. Impact of urban structure on avian diversity along the Truckee River, USA. – Urban Ecosystems 15(4): 993–1013. DOI: 10.1007/s11252-012-0251-6.10.1007/s11252-012-0251-6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
van Rensburg, B. J., Peacock, D. S. & Robertson, M. P. 2009. Biotic homogenization and alien bird species along an urban gradient in South Africa. – Landscape and Urban Planning 92(3–4): 233–241. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2009.05.002.10.1016/j.landurbplan.2009.05.002
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Villegas, M. & Garitano-Zavala, Á. 2010. Bird community responses to different urban conditions in La Paz, Bolivia. – Urban Ecosystems 13(3): 375–391. DOI: 10.1007/s11252-010-0126-7.10.1007/s11252-010-0126-7
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
White, J. G., Antos, M. J., Fitzsimons, J. A. & Palmer, G. C. 2005. Non-uniform bird assemblages in urban environments: the influence of streetscape vegetation. – Landscape and Urban Planning 71(2–4): 123–135. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2004.02.006.10.1016/j.landurbplan.2004.02.006
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yap, C. A. & Sodhi, N. S. 2004. Southeast Asian invasive birds: ecology, impact and management. – Ornithologi cal Science 3(1): 57–67. DOI: 10.2326/osj.3.5710.2326/osj.3.57
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Avian assemblage along an urban gradient: diversity, abundance and richness

Abstract

Paradigm

My account