Avian Species Abundance and Richness in a Variably Urbanised Landscape in Wellington City, New Zealand

Species Ecology

<p>Avian community composition fluctuates across the landscape at different scales of space and time. These fluctuations may be modified at the broader scale of landscape and at the local scale of habitat patch. A species' ecology also influences its occurrence and abundance in the landscape. This thesis investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of the avian community in Wellington. Wellington is an interesting case study because it has a diverse range of landscapes influenced by the proximity of hills to the coast (see Appendix 3). I assess the effect of landscape classification on the richness and abundance of birds and the role of fine patch structure in shaping this distribution. My study was located within a 5-km radius of Wellington City's central business district (41 degrees 16' S, 174 degrees 46' E). I used six strip-transects divided into 400m length segments that traversed through high to lower density residential suburbs and green space inter-digitated with built habitat, and established five-minute count (FMBC) points at each segment interval along these routes for a total of 49 points. I used ArcGIS to analyse the habitat patch types in the 100-m areas surrounding the FMBC. I recorded avian species type and abundance along the strips and at the FMBC during the morning and evening. A total of 35 bird species and 10966 individuals were recorded along the strip-transects and 34 bird species and 5960 individuals at the FMBCs. House sparrow, then starling and blackbacked gull, rock pigeon, blackbird and silvereye were the most common and widely spread species. Results indicated that landscape type modified avian biodiversity with the highest number of species (S) recorded in green landscapes (n = 10, S = 15.9) and the lowest in wharf littoral (n = 2, S = 7.5) and low-density commercial sites (n = 3, S = 6.67). The diversity of the landscape within an area did not influence avian biodiversity. I found that total species abundance did not change across the landscape but that the species' ecology did influence where it occurred and its abundance in the landscape. Dietary diversity particularly influenced a species' abundance. Both season and time of day altered species richness and abundance, with lower values of richness recorded in autumn (morning period = 13.5, evening period = 10.7). I found that avian communities in the Wellington urban area were dominated by six common species but that many more species were present in much lower numbers at fewer sites. Results showed an inverse relationship between species richness and abundance - while the greater biomass (abundance) of birds concentrated at FMBC within the built commercial centre and surrounding higher density housing areas, richness increased with distance from the built centre to residential and green sites. I found no relationship between species richness and the total number of individuals present at any point, and the total biomass and abundance of birds was also independent of patch size. Neither habitat patch diversity nor average patch size influenced species diversity across the community of birds, but the effect of average patch size was less at patches between 300 and 1500 metres. The abundance of some individuals in their favoured patch type did vary in response to patch structure with the strongest relationships seen for blackbird and house sparrow. These results suggest that birds are responding to cues at the larger scale of landscape first rather than to fine patch structure within the urban setting, and therefore that landscape is a more important influence in driving bird biodiversity.</p>

Avian Species Abundance and Richness in a Variably Urbanised Landscape in Wellington City, New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.16958968 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Jennifer Glynn Vinton

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Patch Size ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Bird Species ◽

Habitat Patch ◽

Avian Community ◽

Patch Structure ◽

Avian Biodiversity ◽

Species Ecology

Modelling avian biodiversity using raw, unclassified satellite imagery

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2013.0197 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 369 (1643) ◽

pp. 20130197 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Véronique St-Louis ◽

Anna M. Pidgeon ◽

Tobias Kuemmerle ◽

Ruth Sonnenschein ◽

Volker C. Radeloff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Habitat Heterogeneity ◽

Bird Species ◽

Image Texture ◽

Spectral Mixture Analysis ◽

Mixture Analysis ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

Habitat Composition ◽

Avian Biodiversity ◽

Spectral Mixture

Applications of remote sensing for biodiversity conservation typically rely on image classifications that do not capture variability within coarse land cover classes. Here, we compare two measures derived from unclassified remotely sensed data, a measure of habitat heterogeneity and a measure of habitat composition, for explaining bird species richness and the spatial distribution of 10 species in a semi-arid landscape of New Mexico. We surveyed bird abundance from 1996 to 1998 at 42 plots located in the McGregor Range of Fort Bliss Army Reserve. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values of two May 1997 Landsat scenes were the basis for among-pixel habitat heterogeneity (image texture), and we used the raw imagery to decompose each pixel into different habitat components (spectral mixture analysis). We used model averaging to relate measures of avian biodiversity to measures of image texture and spectral mixture analysis fractions. Measures of habitat heterogeneity, particularly angular second moment and standard deviation, provide higher explanatory power for bird species richness and the abundance of most species than measures of habitat composition. Using image texture, alone or in combination with other classified imagery-based approaches, for monitoring statuses and trends in biological diversity can greatly improve conservation efforts and habitat management.

Effect of indaziflam on native species in natural areas and rangeland

Invasive Plant Science and Management ◽

10.1017/inp.2019.4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 60-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shannon L. Clark ◽

Derek J. Sebastian ◽

Scott J. Nissen ◽

James R. Sebastian

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Weed Management ◽

Native Species ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Unintended Consequences ◽

Ecological Impacts ◽

Limited Information ◽

Perennial Species ◽

Temporary Reduction ◽

AbstractMinimizing the negative ecological impacts of exotic plant invasions is one goal of land management. Using selective herbicides is one strategy to achieve this goal; however, the unintended consequences of this strategy are not always fully understood. The recently introduced herbicide indaziflam has a mode of action not previously used in non-crop weed management. Thus, there is limited information about the impacts of this active ingredient when applied alone or in combination with other non-crop herbicides. The objective of this research was to evaluate native species tolerance to indaziflam and imazapic applied alone and with other broadleaf herbicides. Replicated field plots were established at two locations in Colorado with a diverse mix of native forbs and grasses. Species richness and abundance were compared between the nontreated control plots and plots where indaziflam and imazapic were applied alone and in combination with picloram and aminocyclopyrachlor. Species richness and abundance did not decrease when indaziflam or imazapic were applied alone; however, species abundance was reduced by treatments containing picloram and aminocyclopyrachlor. Species richness was only impacted at one site 1 yr after treatment (YAT) by these broadleaf herbicides. Decreases in abundance were mainly due to reductions in forbs that resulted in a corresponding increase in grass cover. Our data suggest that indaziflam will control downy brome (Bromus tectorumL.) for multiple years without reduction in perennial species richness or abundance. IfB. tectorumis present with perennial broadleaf weeds requiring the addition of herbicides like picloram or aminocyclopyrachlor, forb abundance could be reduced, and in some cases there could be a temporary reduction in perennial species richness.

Islands in the forest: effects of patch size and isolation on farmland bird species richness and community composition of farmland patches in forest landscapes

Landscape Ecology ◽

10.1007/s10980-019-00920-w ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (12) ◽

pp. 2823-2836 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Svein Dale

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Community Composition ◽

Patch Size ◽

Bird Species ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

Farmland Bird

Associations of Forest Cover, Fragment Area, and Connectivity with Neotropical Understory Bird Species Richness and Abundance

Conservation Biology ◽

10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01940.x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 1100-1111 ◽

Cited By ~ 112

Author(s):

Alexandre Camargo Martensen ◽

Milton Cezar Ribeiro ◽

Cristina Banks-Leite ◽

Paulo Inácio Prado ◽

Jean Paul Metzger

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Bird Species ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

Effects of crop diversity on bird species richness and abundance in a highland East African agricultural landscape

Ostrich ◽

10.2989/00306525.2013.775189 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. 33-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P Kariuki Ndang'ang'a ◽

John BM Njoroge ◽

Kamau Ngamau ◽

Wariara Kariuki ◽

Philip W Atkinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Bird Species ◽

Crop Diversity ◽

East African ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

The effects of silvicultural disturbances on cryptogam diversity in the boreal-mixedwood forest

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x01-163 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 38-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Steven G Newmaster ◽

F Wayne Bell

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Forest Harvesting ◽

Aerial Application ◽

Forest Diversity ◽

Four Blocks ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

And Function

In northern forests, cryptogams (spore producing plants) occupy a key position in forest ecosystem diversity and function. Forest harvesting and silvicultural practices have the potential to reduce cryptogam diversity. This project uses four blocks that were mechanically site prepared, planted with a single conifer species, and subsequently subjected to five conifer release treatments: (1) motor-manual cleaning, (2) mechanical brush cutting, (3) aerial application of triclopyr, (4) aerial application of glyphosate, and (5) control (untreated clearcut). Five 10 × 10 m subplots were installed in each of the five treatment plots and the uncut forest on the four blocks. Botanical surveys were conducted before and 15 years after treatments. Species richness and abundance, Shannon's and Heip's indices, and rank abundance diagrams clearly show that richness and abundance were affected by silvicultural treatments. Vegetation management treatments resulted in significant reductions in cryptogam diversity, to the point that only a few colonists and drought-tolerant species remained. Cryptogam diversity was ranked in the following order: forest > clearcut > mechanical clearing > herbicide treatment. Herbicide treatments had the greatest initial effect on species richness, species abundance, and diversity indices. Cryptogam diversity showed signs of recovery 5 years after treatments. Missed strips (untreated areas) within a clearcut provided a refuge for remnant communities of forest cryptogams that could play a key role in the rehabilitation forest diversity.

Winter bird abundance, species richness and functional guild composition at Delhi’s ponds: does time of day and wetland extent matter?

Journal of Urban Ecology ◽

10.1093/jue/juab001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Prakhar Rawal ◽

Swati Kittur ◽

Murali Krishna Chatakonda ◽

K S Gopi Sundar

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Bird Species ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Conservation Priorities ◽

Bird Abundance ◽

Functional Guilds ◽

Β Diversity ◽

Functional Guild ◽

Guild Composition

Abstract Urbanisation can limit species persistence and bias composition of functional guilds with serious consequences for ecosystem functioning and conservation planning. Standardised biodiversity surveys are missing at most tropical urban cities where biodiversity levels are high alongside rapidly increasing rates of urbanisation. We explored the utility of time-bound surveys to document winter birds at ponds (wetlands ≤ 5 ha) in Delhi, India at two different times of the day (morning and evening) and in areas with varying extents of wetlands. Systematic surveys at 39 ponds during January–March 2020 yielded an estimated 173 ± 22 bird species (∼37% of Delhi’s birds). The total bird species assemblage at ponds did not vary significantly with time of day, but β-diversity increased marginally with increasing extent of wetlands. Total bird abundance and species richness varied substantially with time of day, with differences apparent across several species rich functional feeding and habitat guilds. Abundance and species richness of some guilds, including species-poor guilds, varied in ponds located in areas with differing extent of wetlands. Reliable and comparable measures of species abundance and species richness (both total and across functional guilds)— metrics commonly used to set research and conservation priorities—in urban habitats can be obtained after appropriately standardising field effort. Such standardised efforts can help underscore the importance of maintaining and improving erstwhile-ignored habitats such as unprotected ponds that are providing refugia to hundreds of bird species in mega-cities like Delhi.

Patterns of Species Richness and Abundance in Badingilo National Park in South Sudan

Journal of Zoological Research ◽

10.30564/jzr.v1i1.1284 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Francis Lado ◽

David Gwolo Phanuel Mogga ◽

Richard Angelo Lado Benjamin

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

National Park ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Bird Species ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Point Count ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Riverine Habitat ◽

Point Count Method

The study was carried out to determine patterns of birds’ species richness, alpha and beta diversities; and abundance in Badingilo national park using a 10 m fixed-radius point count method. A total of 2670 individuals were recorded from 182 points in the park. The highest expected number of species (Jack1 estimator) was observed in the Riverine habitat and least was in the Agriculture and Human settlement habitat type. The total number of species observed in the park was 63; however Jack1 estimator indicated that there were 68 species in the park. The majority of the birds observed during the study were resident species, few migratory and Palaearctic bird species. Few birds observed in the park were abundant. The most abundant species was the village weaver (381 individuals), and the rarest species were black-bellied bustard, barn owl, black scimitar bill and tree pipit (one individual each).

Structure of 0+ juvenile fish assemblages in the modified upper stretch of the River Elbe, Czech Republic

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/7192-cjas ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 35-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Z. Valová ◽

M. Janáč ◽

J. Švanyga ◽

P. Jurajda

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Assemblage ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Juvenile Fish ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Shannon Index ◽

Catch Per Unit Effort ◽

River Elbe ◽

Nursery Habitats ◽

In August 2007, the 0+ juvenile fish assemblage of the upper River Elbe was surveyed using electrofishing. Thirty-six localities were sampled along a 177 km long section between the towns of Verdek and Brandýs nad Labem (river km (RKM) 136–313). Four localities with natural riverbeds, 14 channelized stretches, nine beaches, and nine backwaters were sampled. Altogether, 4521 0+ juvenile fishes were caught, belonging to 26 species. A decrease in species richness and abundance was evident near Hradec Králové, while decreased species abundance was noted along the navigated stretch below Přelouč. The highest catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), species richness, and Shannon index values were observed at beach habitats, the lowest in channelized habitats, and intermediate values in backwaters. Generally, rare beach habitats had significantly more rheophilic species than other habitats, while backwaters had significantly more eurytopic species and higher CPUE for limnophilic species. Backwaters and channel habitats, however, did not differ in any other 0+ fish assemblage parameter studied. The study demonstrated the importance of beaches for fish assemblages along navigable channels. Surprisingly, however, backwaters were not confirmed as important nursery habitats.