Bird assemblages on a Mediterranean sandy beach: a yearly study

Around the 2007 yearly cycle, we carried out a transect in a Mediterranean sandy beach (central Italy), a structurally oversimplified ecosystem, elaborating the data in six bimonthly periods and in three longitudinal habitat types. We observed 25 bird species. Assemblages appear heterogeneous at taxonomic-, phenological- and ecological-level. Also normalizing (Margalef index), in winter the beach hosted the richest assemblage, in summer-autumn the lowest. The inner dunal area appears the richest habitat type. Here, the presence of vegetation presumably permits the occurrence of a large availability of different trophic resources for different species. Beaches represent patchy ecosystems with a different availability of resources in space and time that host heterogeneous bird assemblages, different in their ecology and phenology around a yearly cycle.

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Bringing the city to the country: relationships between streetscape vegetation type and bird assemblages in a major regional centre

Journal of Urban Ecology ◽

10.1093/jue/juz018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Brendan S Champness ◽

Grant C Palmer ◽

James A Fitzsimons

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Bird Species ◽

Urban Landscapes ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Bird Assemblages ◽

Regional Centre ◽

Remnant Vegetation

Abstract Urbanisation is a leading cause of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation internationally, and the conservation of representative native assemblages is a challenge confronting environmental managers in expanding urban landscapes. This study investigates the bird assemblages occurring in a rapidly growing regional centre, Ballarat, southeastern Australia. It aims to examine the relationships between urbanisation and bird communities in a regional city by investigating the differences in bird assemblage composition related to the type of vegetation (native or exotic) in urban streetscapes. Bird surveys were completed across four broad habitat types: remnant vegetation, exotic streetscapes, native streetscapes and newly developed streetscapes. Each habitat type had three 1 ha replicate sites. Results show that remnant vegetation fringing residential areas and native streetscapes supported around 60% more native bird species than exotic and newly developed streetscapes. Avian species composition was significantly different between broad habitat types, with remnant vegetation and native streetscapes maintaining representative native bird assemblages, but exotic streetscapes and newly developed streetscapes were dominated by introduced birds. Our results show that, for representative native bird assemblages to be maintained in urban areas, the maintenance of remnant and native vegetation is essential.

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Variation in hierarchical guild structure between two bird assemblages of a wetland in the Mexican Pacific

Revista de Biología Tropical ◽

10.15517/rbt.v65i4.26266 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 1540 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mateo Donald Ruiz Bruce Taylor ◽

José Luis Rangel Salazar ◽

Paula Enríquez ◽

Jorge L. León-Cortés ◽

Carlos García-Estrada

Keyword(s):

Habitat Preferences ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Bird Species ◽

Ecological Groups ◽

Trophic Guilds ◽

Guild Structure ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Species Identity ◽

Mexican Pacific ◽

Bird Assemblages

Neotropical wetlands comprise contrasting habitats with highly diverse avifauna, including herbivores, insectivores and carnivores, of both terrestrial and aquatic species. Therefore, comparisons between wetland bird assemblages based only on species identity may disregard turnover within ecological groups, and eclipse important variations between habitat types. We studied bird assemblages from mangrove and estuary habitat types from a coastal lagoon system in Oaxaca, Mexico. For this, we used 640 point counts to obtain data on bird species using those habitats between October 2009 and May 2012. We ascertained guild structure by classifying 139 species in a scalar hierarchy of two-levels: 17 key-resource guilds nested within seven trophic guilds. To evaluate variation in guild structure between habitat types, we contrasted richness and diversity across trophic guilds and tested for variation in abundance within key-resource guilds. We exposed a tendency of greater diversity within terrestrial guilds in mangrove and within aquatic guilds at the estuary. However, these differences were compensatory and neither richness nor diversity varied between habitat types in comparisons across the sets of trophic guilds. Parallel analyses at two hierarchical levels supported the theoretical prediction of greater change at lower levels. Herpetofauna, wood invertebrates, aquatic invertebrates and seeds emerged as dietary components that may explain the distribution of abundance in key-resource guilds. Although the guilds from mangrove and estuary produced comparable sets of richness and diversity values, the actual identity of guilds with high values varied between habitats. On the other hand, species abundance comparisons within guilds pinpointed specific associations with habitat types and this method represents a suitable strategy for identifying habitat preferences in complex wetland bird assemblages.

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Null model analysis of lizard communities in five urban parks of Rome

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853807782152516 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 547-553 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Luca Luiselli ◽

Lorenzo Rugiero

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Central Italy ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Null Model ◽

Urban Parks ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Podarcis Muralis ◽

Green Areas ◽

Assembly Structure ◽

Natural Communities

Abstract Null models are an essential tool for investigating structure in natural communities of animals, including reptiles. In this paper, we studied the assembly structure of a lizard community constituted by four species (Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis, P. sicula, Chalcides chalcides) along 25 different transects, each 300 m long and representing a specific habitat type, in five independent urban green areas in Rome, central Italy. Lacerta bilineata was observed in 92% of the total transects (n = 25), P. muralis in 100%, P. sicula in 72%, and C. chalcides in 52%. Based on the number of lizards observed along the various transects, it seemed that each species was linked especially to particular habitat types within each study area, but that the habitat types frequented by each species were not necessarily exactly the same across the study areas. Null model analyses revealed that the lizard community was not randomly organized in four of five study areas by RA2 (thus denoting that the generalist-specialist nature of the species reduced ecological similarity) but not by RA3 algorithms (thus denoting that the types of resources used did not reduce ecological similarity). Thus, the community structure was due mainly to the different specialist-generalist nature of the various co-occurring species.

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Range Shifts of Overwintering Birds Depend on Habitat Type, Snow Conditions and Habitat Specialization

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1170896/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Bosco ◽

Yanjie Xu ◽

Purabi Deshpande ◽

Aleksi Lehikoinen

Keyword(s):

Snow Cover ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Bird Species ◽

Habitat Specialization ◽

Range Shifts ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Climatic Niche ◽

Generalist Species ◽

Distribution Shifts ◽

Snow Conditions

Abstract Climatic warming is forcing numerous species to shift their ranges poleward, which has been demonstrated for many taxa across the globe. Yet, the influence of habitat types on within- and among-species variations of distribution shifts has rarely been studied, especially so for the non-breeding season. Here, we investigated habitat specific shift distances of northern range margins and directions of the center of gravity based on a long-term dataset of overwintering birds in Finland. Specifically, we explored influences of habitat type, snow cover depths, species’ climatic niche and habitat specialization on range shifts from 1980’s to 2010’s in 81 bird species. Birds overwintering in farmlands shifted significantly more often northwards than birds of the same species in rural and forest habitats, while the northern range margin shift distances did not significantly differ among the habitat types. Snow cover was negatively associated with the eastward shift direction across all habitats, while we found habitat specific relations to snow cover with northward shift directions and northern range margins shift distances. Species with stronger habitat specializations shifted more strongly towards north as compared to generalist species, whereas the climatic niche of bird species only marginally correlated with range shifts, so that cold-dwelling species shifted longer distances and more clearly eastwards. Our study reveals habitat specific patterns linked to snow conditions for overwintering boreal birds and highlights importance of habitat availability and preference in climate driven range shifts.

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Correlation between the Avian Community and Habitat Type during the Wintering Period in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, China

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.779-780.1634 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 779-780 ◽

pp. 1634-1638

Author(s):

Qing Ming Wu ◽

Jian Zhang Ma ◽

Hong Fei Zou

Keyword(s):

Nature Reserve ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Bird Species ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Scientific Management ◽

Ecological Group ◽

Ecological Groups ◽

Habitat Types ◽

National Nature Reserve ◽

Open Forest

Zhalong National Nature Reserve (Zhalong) is an important habitat of avian, especial for cranes and waterfowls. For grasping the relation between avian ecological group and habitat types and scientific management for resource, we used line transects to survey bird population and distribution during November-December from 2005-2009 at Zhalong, and used cluster analysis and Chi-Square tests to analyze data. We recorded 23 bird species of 15 families and 7 orders during the wintering period, including Anseriformes, Columbiformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Passeriformes, Strigiformes. Geographic region and dominant vegetation were the main influence factors of wintering avian distribution at Zhalong. Different ecological groups preferred different habitat types (p<0.01). Reed marsh were strong preferred, next were farmland and open forest. Passeres preferred reed marsh, open forest and farmland; Raptatores preferred open forest and reed marsh; Terrestores and Grallatores all preferred reed marsh and farmland. Different avian ecological groups occupied specific habitats types and we recorded some overlaps in bird distribution.

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Effects of habitat type on bird nesting in the desert grasslands of central Mexico: conservation implications

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605310000426 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 448-454 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

César Posadas-Leal ◽

Leonardo Chapa-Vargas ◽

José Tulio Arredondo-Moreno ◽

Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald

Keyword(s):

Nest Survival ◽

Grassland Birds ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Bird Species ◽

Central Mexico ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

Study Sites ◽

Agricultural Areas

AbstractPopulations of North American grassland birds have suffered drastic declines. The causes of these declines are only partially understood and may vary among regions. During the 2004 and 2005 breeding seasons we recorded survival information from 220 nests of four bird species in nine study sites representing three habitat types of the desert grasslands of central Mexico, where grassland birds had not yet been studied. We predicted that land-use change from shortgrass steppe to heavily grazed savannah-type grasslands and agriculture would negatively affect nesting success, number of fledglings and nest abundance. We also examined temporal effects on reproductive success. We found some evidence that nest survival of savannah sparrows Passerculus sandwichensis, loggerhead shrikes Lanius ludovicianus and white-winged doves Zenaida asiatica varied with date, and that nest survival of the dove was lowest in agricultural sites. However, confidence intervals were large, suggesting that other variables were also important. Whereas white-winged dove nests were notably more abundant in agricultural areas compared to the other habitat types, western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta nests were not found in agricultural areas. Ploughing caused the largest proportion of nest failures in agricultural areas and, on average, all species fledged fewer young per nest in agricultural areas. Therefore, minimizing agriculture and adjusting harvest times could enhance conservation of grassland-nesting birds in central Mexico. Our study also suggests that inter-annual variation in rainfall can change the onset of nesting by at least 2 months.

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A study of composition and diversity variation of avifauna along with different types of agroforestry system in Kibet town, Southern Ethiopia

Revista chilena de historia natural ◽

10.1186/s40693-021-00106-2 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hussen Yasin ◽

Wondimagegnehu Tekalign

Keyword(s):

Diversity Index ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Bird Species ◽

Bird Community ◽

Agroforestry System ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Feeding Guild ◽

Different Types ◽

Ploceus Cucullatus

Abstract Background Agroforestry is an integrated land-use system that plays a great role in the conservation of landscape biodiversity. The study aimed to assess the composition and diversity of avian species along with different habitat types of agroforestry in Kibet Town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods Four habitat types of agroforestry system which are home gardens, live fences, parkland, and eucalyptus woodlot were identified. Line transects were used for bird surveys. The Shannon diversity index (H′) and species evenness index (E) were used to compare diversity among habitat types. A similarity percentages (SIMPER) test was carried out to identify the main species and feeding guild that typified each habitat type. The overall significance was assessed with the ANOSIM test using PAST (version 4.03). Results A total of 50 bird species belonging to 28 families and 10 orders were recorded. Order Passeriformes (67.3%) had the highest number of species. Bird community composition differed among habitat types. The dissimilarity was mainly due to White-browed robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini), Streaky seed-eater (Serinus striolatus), Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), African Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis), and Black-Headed Paradise Flycatcher (T. rufiventer). The finding also revealed that insectivore was the dominant feeding guild. Conclusions The present study shows evidence that more insectivore bird species use different types of agroforestry as habitat and foraging sites. So, any concerned bodies who have engaged in avian conservation should give special consideration to this modified landscape.

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List of Species and Conservation Status of Avifauna and Small mammal around Bade Segment Area of River Yobe, Yobe State, Nigeria

International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ◽

10.47191/ijcsrr/v4-i12-18 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 04 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Adam, L. I. ◽

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Bird Species ◽

Line Transect ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Mammal Species ◽

River Bank ◽

Small Mammal Species

The study was carried out to assess a Checklist of avifauna and small mammal species along Bade catchment area of Yobe State, Nigeria. Preliminary survey was conducted around the river, three (3) habitat types were identified; (river bank, farm lands and flood plain). The line transect was 8 km in length. Two (2) transects were established per habitat type, making a total of six (6) transects. The transects were 100 m apart to the left or right in order to avoid double counting of species. A distance of 200m was maintained between each habitat. The data obtained were analyses using descriptive statistics (Frequency tables and Charts were used to portrayed the findings. The result of the study; showed that a total of 50 bird species in 28 families were recorded. RB had the highest individuals of Fifty (50) species while FP has the lowest with ten (10) species. The Bird family Columbidae has the highest number with six (6) of species, while the lowest were Ardeidae, Sturnidae and Tytonidae with one species in each of the habitat types. However, checklist of small mammal species also indicated that a total of 6 species of small mammals belonging to 4 families were identified. The result of the study shows that the family Muridae has 3 species which was the highest number of per family identified in the study area, this is due to the fact that Muridae family are the most common small mammals in the study area. And both bird small species fell under least concern (LC) category except Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus which felled under near threatened (NT) species. However, awareness campaign should also be organize for the residents around the study area on the presence, distribution of bird and small mammal species and also disturbing effect of their activities on bird and small mammal around the segment area of river Yobe.

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Do the assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates in nearshore waters of Western Australia vary among habitat types, zones and seasons?

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315405011100h ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (2) ◽

pp. 217-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

M.D. Wildsmith ◽

I.C. Potter ◽

F.J. Valesini ◽

M.E. Platell

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Benthic Macroinvertebrates ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Subtidal Zone ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Environmental Characteristics ◽

Deposit Feeding ◽

Number Of Individuals

Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled seasonally in the subtidal and upper and lower swash zones at two sites in each of six nearshore habitat types on the lower west coast of Australia. The habitat types, which differed mainly in the extent of their exposure to wave activity and whether sea grass and/or nearshore reefs were present, had been distinguished quantitatively using values for a suite of seven statistically-selected enduring environmental characteristics (Valesini et al., 2003). The core samples yielded 121 species representing eight phyla, among which the Polychaeta, Malacostraca and Bivalvia were the most speciose classes, contributing ∼38, 23 and 10%, respectively, to the total number of individuals. The total number of species and mean density of macroinvertebrates at the most protected habitat type (1), i.e. 70 and 209·2 individuals 0·1 m−2, respectively, were far greater than in any other habitat type. Habitat type influenced species composition to a greater extent than either zone or season. Furthermore, the extents of the differences among the species compositions of the six habitat types statistically matched the extents of the differences among the values for the suite of enduring environmental characteristics that distinguished each of those habitat types. Overall, the species composition at habitat type 1 was the most distinct, containing five abundant species of polychaetes that were adapted to deposit-feeding in calm waters with high levels of organic material and which were rare in all other habitat types. In contrast, the fauna at the most exposed habitat type was characterized by four crustacean species and a species of bivalve and polychaete, whose mobility and tough external surface facilitated their survival and feeding in turbulent waters. The zonal differences in faunal compositions among habitat types were greatest in the case of the subtidal zone. The faunal compositions differed among zones and seasons only at the most protected habitat type.

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