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Lamberson AM, Smith JA. Supplementary feeding of birds during the winter influences measures of avian community structure in yards in a subtropical city. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302007. [PMID: 38776305 PMCID: PMC11111068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Supplementary feeding, the intentional provision of food to wild birds is a common activity in developed nations during the winter. The energy inputs represented by supplementary feeding are vast, and thus it is likely an important mechanism shaping bird communities in urban areas. However, research in this regard has mainly occurred in temperate and non-urban settings. Moreover, few studies have been informed by supplementary feeding habits of local community members limiting their inference. We evaluated the effects of two commonly provided wild bird foods on the abundance and species diversity of birds in yards over two winters in San Antonio, Texas, United States, a city located in a subtropical region. We used a reversed Before-After-Control-Impact experimental design in which yards were randomly allocated either mixed seed, Nyjer, or no food (control) between November 2019 and March 2020 (Year One). Between November 2020 and March 2021 (Year Two) supplementary food was not provided in any yards. Point counts conducted during both years of the study revealed that overall bird abundance was consistent between years in control yards and yards provided with Nyjer. In contrast, overall bird abundance was statistically significantly higher when supplementary food was present in mixed seed yards, driven by an increase in granivorous and omnivorous species. In contrast, supplementary feeding had no statistically significant effect on the abundance of insectivorous species or on species diversity, although species diversity tended to be higher in the presence of mixed seed. Our study demonstrates that wild bird food commonly provided by community members influences measures of avian community structure during the winter in urban yards in a subtropical city. However, these results depend on the type of bird food provided. Our results provide insight into the processes underlying the effects of urbanization on bird communities, and thus have implications for the management of urban birds more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Lamberson
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Smith
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
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2
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Ibáñez-Álamo JD, Izquierdo L, Mourocq E, Benedetti Y, Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki ML, Jokimäki J, Morelli F, Rubio E, Pérez-Contreras T, Sprau P, Suhonen J, Tryjanowski P, Díaz M. Urban landscape organization is associated with species-specific traits in European birds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:167937. [PMID: 37871820 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization is one of the main current drivers of the global biodiversity loss. Cities are usually developed in a gradient between land-sharing (low density housing with small and fragmented green areas) and land-sparing areas (high density housing with large and non-fragmented green patches) depending on the spatial organization of urban attributes. Previous studies have indicated differences in biodiversity between these two urban development types, but mechanisms underlying these differences are inadequately understood. In this context, the landscape features of each urban development type may select for organisms with specific traits. To analyze it, we quantified birds in 9 European cities during the breeding and wintering season, collected species-specific traits and performed Bayesian comparative analyses. We found that birds living in land-sparing areas had a higher reproductive investment and a higher nesting specialization than birds living in land-sharing areas during the breeding season. Typical birds from land-sparing urban areas during winter are fast-lived species. Our results indicate that urban development type could have an important role selecting animal traits and provides useful information on how to build more biodiversity-friendly cities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucía Izquierdo
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Emeline Mourocq
- Giving Life To Data-Biostatistics Analysis Services, Les Fournels, FR-34390 Prémian, France
| | - Yanina Benedetti
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jukka Jokimäki
- Nature Inventory and EIA-Services, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, P. O. Box 122, FI-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Federico Morelli
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic; Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana St. 1, PL-65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Enrique Rubio
- Dept of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain, C/José Antonio Novais, 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás Pérez-Contreras
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Philipp Sprau
- Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jukka Suhonen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, PL-60-625 Poznań, Poland
| | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (BGC-MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain
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3
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Nie J, Fan S, Luo X. First Account of the Breeding Biology of Indian Blue Robin ( Larvivora brunnea) in Southwest China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:39. [PMID: 38200770 PMCID: PMC10778059 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breeding biology lies at the core of life history research on birds, and it provides important information for avian conservation. We discovered one nest of the Indian Blue Robin (Larvivora brunnea) on 28 May 2021, at the Laojun mountains in Lijiang, northwestern Yunnan, China. Field observation was combined with the use of a GoPro camera for video shooting to quantitatively study the incubation and brooding behavior. We also conducted measurements of the eggs and nestlings on site and inspected the nesting materials used. A bowl-shaped nest with four eggs was located at 2830 m in the evergreen deciduous broad-leaved forest. All eggs were successfully incubated and two nestlings fledged on 22 June 2021, resulting in a total breeding success of 50%. Only the female bird incubated the eggs and brooded the nestlings. The incubation period was at least 13 days and the nestling period was 13 days. As incubation progressed, the incubation bout duration decreased. During the incubation period, the nesting time of the female bird shows a declining trend as incubation progresses. Both parents participated in feeding the nestling, and the frequency of parental supply increased with the maturity of the nestling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Nie
- Faculty of Biodiversity and Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (J.N.); (S.F.)
| | - Shixiang Fan
- Faculty of Biodiversity and Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (J.N.); (S.F.)
| | - Xu Luo
- Faculty of Biodiversity and Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (J.N.); (S.F.)
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
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4
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Bernat-Ponce E, Gil-Delgado JA, Guardiola JV, López-Iborra GM. Eating in the city: Experimental effect of anthropogenic food resources on the body condition, nutritional status, and oxidative stress of an urban bioindicator passerine. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 339:803-815. [PMID: 37422723 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas provide a constant and predictable supply of anthropogenic processed food. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758), a declining urban bioindicator species, has recently been reported to have a high level of oxidative stress, with urban diet or pollutants proposed as the potential cause. In this study, we aimed to experimentally determine the effects of two urban trophic resource types (bar snack food leftovers and pet food) on sparrows' physical condition, plasma biochemical nutritional parameters, and blood oxidative status in captivity. To exclude the potential previous effect of urban pollutants, 75 House Sparrows were captured from a rural area in SE Spain and kept in outdoor aviaries. Individuals were exposed to one of three diet treatments: control diet (fruit, vegetables, poultry grain mixture), bar snack diet (ultra-processed snacks), or cat food diet (dry pellets) for 20 days. Blood samples were collected before and after diet treatments to analyze the relative change rates of 12 variables, including physical condition, nutritional status, and oxidant-antioxidant status. A principal component analysis was run to identify gradients of variables covariation, and Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to determine the effect of diets on each selected PC and on raw variables. The bar snack diet led to signs of anemia and malnutrition, and females tended to lose body condition. The cat food diet increased oxidative stress indicators and protein catabolism. Unbalanced urban diets can affect the body condition and nutritional physiology of House Sparrows and may also induce oxidative stress despite the absence of environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Bernat-Ponce
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology/Terrestrial Vertebrates Ecology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - José A Gil-Delgado
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology/Terrestrial Vertebrates Ecology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - José V Guardiola
- Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Germán M López-Iborra
- Departamento de Ecología/IMEM Ramon Margalef, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Doremus J, Li L, Jones D. Covid-related surge in global wild bird feeding: Implications for biodiversity and human-nature interaction. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287116. [PMID: 37531331 PMCID: PMC10395953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The global extent of supplementary bird feeding is unknown but has consequences for bird conservation and human well-being. Using a measure of search intensity for words related to bird feeding from Google, we document a surge of interest in bird feeding that occurred around the world after Covid-19 led to lockdowns where people stayed home: 115 countries saw an increase in bird feeding search interest. We test whether the existence of interest in bird feeding is associated with greater species richness of bird species, our proxy for biodiversity, and find the relationship is highly significant. Covid-19 lockdowns may have persistent influences on global bird populations and humans' connection to nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Doremus
- Economics Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, United States of America
| | - Liqing Li
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University College Station, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Darryl Jones
- Centre for Planetary Health & Food Security and School of Environment & Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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6
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Headland T, Colombelli-Négrel D, Callaghan CT, Sumasgutner SC, Kleindorfer S, Sumasgutner P. Smaller Australian raptors have greater urban tolerance. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11559. [PMID: 37463922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38493-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Urbanisation is occurring around the world at a rapid rate and is generally associated with negative impacts on biodiversity at local, regional, and global scales. Examining the behavioural response profiles of wildlife to urbanisation helps differentiate between species that do or do not show adaptive responses to changing landscapes and hence are more or less likely to persist in such environments. Species-specific responses to urbanisation are poorly understood in the Southern Hemisphere compared to the Northern Hemisphere, where most of the published literature is focussed. This is also true for raptors, despite their high diversity and comparably high conservation concern in the Southern Hemisphere, and their critical role within ecosystems as bioindicators of environmental health. Here, we explore this knowledge gap using community science data sourced from eBird to investigate the urban tolerance of 24 Australian raptor species at a continental scale. We integrated eBird data with a global continuous measure of urbanisation, artificial light at night (ALAN), to derive an urban tolerance index, ranking species from positive to negative responses according to their tolerance of urban environments. We then gathered trait data from the published literature to assess whether certain traits (body mass, nest substrate, habitat type, feeding guild, and migratory status) were associated with urban tolerance. Body size was negatively associated with urban tolerance, as smaller raptors had greater urban tolerance than larger raptors. Out of the 24 species analysed, 13 species showed tolerance profiles for urban environments (positive response), and 11 species showed avoidance profiles for urban environments (negative response). The results of this study provide impetus to conserve native habitat and improve urban conditions for larger-bodied raptor species to conserve Australian raptor diversity in an increasingly urbanised world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Headland
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | | | - Corey T Callaghan
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, 33314-7719, USA
| | - Shane C Sumasgutner
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center (KLF), Core Facility for Behavior and Cognition, Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Fischerau 13, 4645, Grünau/Almtal, Austria
| | - Sonia Kleindorfer
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center (KLF), Core Facility for Behavior and Cognition, Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Fischerau 13, 4645, Grünau/Almtal, Austria
| | - Petra Sumasgutner
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center (KLF), Core Facility for Behavior and Cognition, Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Fischerau 13, 4645, Grünau/Almtal, Austria.
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7
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Sumasgutner P, Cunningham SJ, Hegemann A, Amar A, Watson H, Nilsson JF, Andersson MN, Isaksson C. Interactive effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation on birds across different climate zones: A mechanistic perspective. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:2399-2420. [PMID: 36911976 PMCID: PMC10947105 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and urbanisation are among the most pervasive and rapidly growing threats to biodiversity worldwide. However, their impacts are usually considered in isolation, and interactions are rarely examined. Predicting species' responses to the combined effects of climate change and urbanisation, therefore, represents a pressing challenge in global change biology. Birds are important model taxa for exploring the impacts of both climate change and urbanisation, and their behaviour and physiology have been well studied in urban and non-urban systems. This understanding should allow interactive effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation to be inferred, yet considerations of these interactions are almost entirely lacking from empirical research. Here, we synthesise our current understanding of the potential mechanisms that could affect how species respond to the combined effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation, with a focus on avian taxa. We discuss potential interactive effects to motivate future in-depth research on this critically important, yet overlooked, aspect of global change biology. Increased temperatures are a pronounced consequence of both urbanisation (through the urban heat island effect) and climate change. The biological impact of this warming in urban and non-urban systems will likely differ in magnitude and direction when interacting with other factors that typically vary between these habitats, such as resource availability (e.g. water, food and microsites) and pollution levels. Furthermore, the nature of such interactions may differ for cities situated in different climate types, for example, tropical, arid, temperate, continental and polar. Within this article, we highlight the potential for interactive effects of climate and urban drivers on the mechanistic responses of birds, identify knowledge gaps and propose promising future research avenues. A deeper understanding of the behavioural and physiological mechanisms mediating species' responses to urbanisation and rising temperatures will provide novel insights into ecology and evolution under global change and may help better predict future population responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Sumasgutner
- Konrad Lorenz Research Centre, Core Facility for Behavior and Cognition, Department of Behavioral & Cognitive BiologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI‐NRF Centre of ExcellenceUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Susan J. Cunningham
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI‐NRF Centre of ExcellenceUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | - Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI‐NRF Centre of ExcellenceUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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8
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The Joy of birds: the effect of rating for joy or counting garden bird species on wellbeing, anxiety, and nature connection. Urban Ecosyst 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-023-01334-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThe feeding of garden birds is a popular and accessible means of connecting with wildlife in urban environments in the United Kingdom. Past research has found that the main motivations for feeding birds are psychological benefits, concern for bird welfare, and connecting to nature. This study explores whether a brief birdwatching activity impacts on wellbeing, anxiety, and nature connection. One hundred and fifty-six participants took part in a birdwatching activity, identifying the species that entered their garden during a thirty-minute period. Participants were randomly allocated to the ‘joy’ group, who rated their feeling of joy on seeing each species, or the ‘count’ group, who counted the number of birds of each species. Measures of wellbeing, state anxiety and nature connection were completed before and after the observation period. Both groups had improved wellbeing, anxiety, and nature connection, though decreases in anxiety were greatest for those in the joy group. These results suggest that activating a sense of joy heightens the psychological benefits of watching garden birds. These benefits and the strengthening of nature connections highlight the reciprocal relationship between humans and birds and the importance of actions towards healthy, sustainable urban ecosystems.
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Morozov NS. The Role of Predators in Shaping Urban Bird Populations. 4. The Urban Predation Paradox and Its Probable Causes. BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359022090242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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10
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Schumm YR, Masello JF, Cohou V, Mourguiart P, Metzger B, Rösner S, Quillfeldt P. Should I stay or should I fly? Migration phenology, individual-based migration decision and seasonal changes in foraging behaviour of Common Woodpigeons. Naturwissenschaften 2022; 109:44. [PMID: 35976443 PMCID: PMC9385845 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-022-01812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Migration is used by many species as a strategy to deal with a seasonally changing environment. For some species, migration patterns can vary across different or even within the same breeding area. The Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus, an abundant and widespread Palearctic species, exhibits three migratory strategies (strictly migratory, partially migratory and resident) across its European breeding grounds. Based on ring recoveries and satellite tracking data, we investigated the migration and foraging behaviour of Woodpigeons breeding in Southwestern Europe (Portugal) and Central Europe (Germany). We found that individuals could be classified as residents (Portugal) or partial migrants (Germany), with migrating individuals following the European sector of the East Atlantic flyway, and mainly wintering in France. In addition to general data on migration phenology, we provide evidence for different migration strategies (migration of varying distances or resident behaviour), low wintering site fidelity and the use of multiple wintering sites. Furthermore, tracking data provided information on migratory behaviour in consecutive years, clearly showing that individuals may switch migratory strategies (resident vs. migrant) between years, i.e. are facultative partial migrants. While individuals from Portugal mainly stayed within a large park (‘green urban area’) year-round, Woodpigeons from the city of Giessen (Germany) regularly left the urban area to forage on surrounding farmland (with an average distance covered of 5.7 km), particularly from July to September. Overall, our results highlight the behavioural plasticity in Woodpigeons in terms of foraging and migration strategies within and amongst individuals as well as populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne R Schumm
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Juan F Masello
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Valerie Cohou
- GIFS France (Groupe d'investigations Sur La Faune Sauvage, France) - 111, Chemin de L'Herté, BP 10, 40465, Pontonx-sur-Adour, France
| | - Philippe Mourguiart
- GIFS France (Groupe d'investigations Sur La Faune Sauvage, France) - 111, Chemin de L'Herté, BP 10, 40465, Pontonx-sur-Adour, France
| | | | - Sascha Rösner
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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11
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Hüppi E, Geiger M. Fast‐paced city life? Tempo and mode of phenotypic changes in urban birds from Switzerland. Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Hüppi
- University of Zurich, Palaeontological Institute and Museum Zürich Switzerland
| | - Madeleine Geiger
- Naturmuseum St. Gallen St. Gallen Switzerland
- SWILD, Urban Ecology & Wildlife Research Zurich Switzerland
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12
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Which birds are Brazilians seeing on urban and non-urban feeders? An analysis based on a collective online birding. ORNITHOLOGY RESEARCH 2022. [PMCID: PMC9116275 DOI: 10.1007/s43388-022-00094-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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13
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Lukas K, Stansell HM, Yeh PJ, Nonacs P. Urban junco flight initiation distances correlate with approach velocities of anthropogenic sounds. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2021.2024263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kara Lukas
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hayley M. Stansell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pamela J. Yeh
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Peter Nonacs
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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14
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Morelli F, Benedetti Y, Ibáñez-Álamo JD, Tryjanowski P, Jokimäki J, Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki ML, Suhonen J, Díaz M, Møller AP, Moravec D, Prosek J, Bussière R, Mägi M, Kominos T, Galanaki A, Bukas N, Marko G, Pruscini F, Tonelli M, Jerzak L, Ciebiera O, Reif J. Effects of urbanization on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic avian diversity in Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148874. [PMID: 34246142 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Europe is an urbanized continent characterized by a long history of human-wildlife interactions. This study aimed to assess the effects of specific elements of urbanization and urban pollution on complementary avian diversity metrics, to provide new insights on the conservation of urban birds. Our study recorded 133 bird species at 1624 point counts uniformly distributed in seventeen different European cities. Our results thus covered a large spatial scale, confirming both effects of geographical and local attributes of the cities on avian diversity. However, we found contrasting effects for the different diversity components analyzed. Overall, taxonomic diversity (bird species richness), phylogenetic diversity and relatedness were significantly and negatively associated with latitude, while functional dispersion of communities showed no association whatsoever. At the local level (within the city), we found that urban greenery (grass, bush, and trees) is positively correlated with the number of breeding bird species, while the building cover showed a detrimental effect. Functional dispersion was the less affected diversity metric, while grass and trees and water (rivers or urban streams) positively affected the phylogenetic diversity of avian communities. Finally, the phylogenetic relatedness of species increased with all the main indicators of urbanization (building surface, floors, pedestrian's density and level of light pollution) and was only mitigated by the presence of bushes. We argue that maintaining adequate levels of avian diversity within the urban settlements can help to increase the potential resilience of urban ecosystems exposed to the stress provoked by rapid and continuous changes. We listed some characteristics of the cities providing positive and negative effects on each facet of urban avian diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Morelli
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Yanina Benedetti
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic; Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, PL-60-625 Poznań, Poland
| | - Jukka Jokimäki
- Nature Inventory and EIA-services, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, P. O. Box 122, FI-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | | | - Jukka Suhonen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (BGC-MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France
| | - David Moravec
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Prosek
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | - Marko Mägi
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Theodoros Kominos
- Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonia Galanaki
- Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikos Bukas
- Plegadis, Riga Feraiou 6A, 45444 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Gabor Marko
- Department of Plant Pathology, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary; Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Fabio Pruscini
- S. C. della Pantiera 23, 61029 Pantiera, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Mattia Tonelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences (DISB), University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Leszek Jerzak
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Szafrana St. 1, PL 65-16 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Olaf Ciebiera
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Szafrana St. 1, PL 65-16 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Jiri Reif
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic
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15
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Bernat-Ponce E, Ferrer D, Gil-Delgado JA, López-Iborra GM. Effect of replacing surface with underground rubbish containers on urban House Sparrows Passer domesticus. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-021-01138-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractUrbanisation processes are increasing worldwide at surprising rates affecting wildlife in many ways: changing habitat structure, reducing resources, and modifying the distribution, composition and abundance of local biota. In different countries, urban waste collection techniques are evolving and surface rubbish containers (neighbourhood receptacles for temporarily storing anthropogenic household waste located above-ground on the streets) are being replaced with underground ones (metal boxes with steel chutes that fed into large underground containers) to improve sanitation measures, to avoid bad smells and waste scattering by animals. We aimed to detect if House Sparrows were more abundant close to surface rubbish containers than close to the underground ones. We recorded an abundance index of House Sparrows during two visits in winter 2018–2019 to point counts located in groups of both container types (80 and 85 groups of underground and surface containers, respectively) in eight towns of Eastern Spain. We modelled the abundance index according to rubbish container type, and 14 other environmental variables at four scales: container, nearest buildings, near urban features, and general locality features using GLMMs. House Sparrows were more abundant close to surface than to underground rubbish containers, which may be linked with higher food debris availability. The presence of other urban features (bar terraces, private gardens, mature trees) interacting with the rubbish containers also influenced the abundance of House Sparrows. The replacement of above-ground rubbish containers with underground ones may deprive House Sparrows resources, which could lead to the decline of this species, especially in urban areas with little green cover.
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16
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Fehlmann G, O'riain MJ, FÜrtbauer I, King AJ. Behavioral Causes, Ecological Consequences, and Management Challenges Associated with Wildlife Foraging in Human-Modified Landscapes. Bioscience 2021; 71:40-54. [PMID: 33442328 PMCID: PMC7791362 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have altered up to half of the world's land surface. Wildlife living within or close to these human-modified landscapes are presented with opportunities and risks associated with feeding on human-derived foods (e.g., agricultural crops and food waste). Understanding whether and how wildlife adapts to these landscapes is a major challenge, with thousands of studies published on the topic over the past 10 years. In the present article, we build on established theoretical frameworks to understand the behavioral causes of crop and urban foraging by wildlife. We then develop and extend this framework to describe the multifaceted ecological consequences of crop and urban foraging for the individuals and populations in which they arise, with emphasis on social species for which interactions with people are, on balance, negative (commonly referred to as raiding species). Finally, we discuss the management challenges faced by urban and rural land managers, businesses, and government organizations in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and propose ways to improve the lives of both wildlife and humans living in human-modified landscapes and to promote coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Justin O'riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife, Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ines FÜrtbauer
- Behavioural Ecology and Endocrinology Laboratory and Andrew King is an associate professor and head of the SHOAL group in the Department of Biosciences at Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J King
- Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, Bodensee, Germany
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17
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Aberle M, Langwig K, Adelman J, Hawley D. Effects of bird feeder density on the foraging behaviors of a backyard songbird (the House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus) subject to seasonal disease outbreaks. CAN J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Provisioning of wildlife, such as backyard bird feeding, can alter animal behavior and ecology in diverse ways. For species that are highly dependent on supplemental resources, it is critical to understand how variation in the degree of provisioning, as occurs naturally across backyards, alters wildlife behavior and ecology in ways potentially relevant to disease spread. We experimentally manipulated feeder density at suburban sites and tracked local abundance, foraging behaviors, body mass, and movement in House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus (P.L. Statius Müller, 1776)), the primary host of a pathogen commonly spread at feeders. Sites with high feeder density harbored higher local House Finch abundance, and birds at these sites had longer feeding bouts and total time on feeders relative to sites with low feeder density. House Finches at high-density feeder sites had lower residual body mass despite greater apparent feeder access. Finally, birds first recorded at low-density feeder sites were more likely to move to neighboring high-density feeder sites than vice versa. Because local abundance and time spent on feeders have both been linked with disease risk in this species, the effects of heterogeneity in bird feeder density on these traits may have important consequences for disease dynamics in this system and more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.A. Aberle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - K.E. Langwig
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - J.S. Adelman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - D.M. Hawley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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18
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Callaghan CT, Benedetti Y, Wilshire JH, Morelli F. Avian trait specialization is negatively associated with urban tolerance. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.07356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corey T. Callaghan
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; UNSW Sydney Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- Community Ecology & Conservation Research Group, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech Univ. of Life Sciences Prague Prague Czech Republic
| | - Yanina Benedetti
- Dept of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech Univ. of Life Sciences Prague Prague Czech Republic
| | - John H. Wilshire
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; UNSW Sydney Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Global Change, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Dept, Yale Univ. New Haven CT USA
| | - Federico Morelli
- Dept of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech Univ. of Life Sciences Prague Prague Czech Republic
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Zielona Góra Zielona Góra Poland
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19
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van Heezik Y, Freeman C, Davidson K, Lewis B. Uptake and Engagement of Activities to Promote Native Species in Private Gardens. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 66:42-55. [PMID: 32338302 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-020-01294-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Activities undertaken by householders in their gardens have huge potential to enhance city-wide biodiversity, but programs aimed at activating householders require an understanding of the factors encouraging or acting as barriers to the uptake of different kinds of activities. We provided 42 householders with two species-enhancing activities, selected from six possibilities, free-of-charge (to remove the barrier of initial cost). We collected socio-demographic data as well as information on knowledge of common urban species, pro-environmental behaviors and nature connectedness. We monitored ongoing engagement at two time points: 1 and 6 months. Characteristics of householders opting for different activities varied in terms of their degree of environmental engagement, their knowledge about common species, and the size of their gardens; e.g., bird feeders and bee planters were popular with people who did not know the names of common species and were not particularly engaged in pro-environmental activities respectively, whereas lizard habitat creation was attractive to people who were already engaged in wildlife gardening activities. Cost to continue with activities was a significant barrier for some people, but most householders were willing to practice relatively inexpensive activities in small spaces. Esthetics was an important factor to be considered when enhancing invertebrate habitat (e.g., bug hotels are more attractive than log piles, and planters for bees contain colorful flowers). A commonly cited barrier was lack of information about wildlife-friendly activities, despite much being available online. Most participants (85%) talked about their activities with others, potentially acting as influencers and shifting social norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda van Heezik
- Zoology Department, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Claire Freeman
- Geography Department, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Katherine Davidson
- Geography Department, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Blake Lewis
- Zoology Department, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
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20
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Mayorga I, Bichier P, Philpott SM. Local and landscape drivers of bird abundance, species richness, and trait composition in urban agroecosystems. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-00934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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21
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Soanes K, Cranney K, Dade MC, Edwards AM, Palavalli-Nettimi R, Doherty TS. How to work with children and animals: A guide for school-based citizen science in wildlife research. AUSTRAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Soanes
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Kate Cranney
- Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Marie C. Dade
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences; The University of Queensland; St Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Amy M. Edwards
- Department of Ecology; Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Victoria Australia
| | | | - Tim S. Doherty
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood Campus); Deakin University; Geelong Victoria Australia
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22
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Beyond Assuming Co-Benefits in Nature-Based Solutions: A Human-Centered Approach to Optimize Social and Ecological Outcomes for Advancing Sustainable Urban Planning. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11184924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization deletes and degrades natural ecosystems, threatens biodiversity, and alienates people from the experience of nature. Nature-based solutions (NbS) that are inspired and supported by nature have the potential to deliver multifunctional environmental and social benefits to address these challenges in urban areas under context-specific conditions. NbS implementation often relies on a one-size-fits-all approach, although interventions that maximize one benefit (e.g., biodiversity conservation) may have no influence on, or even negatively affect, others (e.g., social justice). Furthermore, the current pathways from NbS to various benefits do not rely on a deep understanding of the underlying processes, prohibiting the identification of optimal solutions that maximize synergies across pathways. We present a comprehensive socio-ecological framework that addresses these issues by recognizing that cities are human-dominated environments that are foremost built and maintained to support humans. Our framework demonstrates how we can use experiments and niche species models to understand and predict where species will be and where people will be healthy and happy in a comparable manner. This knowledge can then be integrated into decision support tools that use optimization algorithms to understand trade-offs, identify synergies, and provide planners with the tools needed to tailor context-specific NbS to yield greener, more resilient cities with happier people and reduced inequality.
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23
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Alexandrino ER, Bogoni JA, Navarro AB, Bovo AAA, Gonçalves RM, Charters JD, Domini JA, Ferraz KMPMB. Large Terrestrial Bird Adapting Behavior in an Urbanized Zone. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9060351. [PMID: 31200544 PMCID: PMC6617044 DOI: 10.3390/ani9060351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary As the world becomes increasingly urbanized and encroaches on natural environments, wildlife face pressure to adapt to human activities. Understanding the adaptation processes of wildlife living in urban areas is an important step in the implementation of management decisions and regulatory policies, which should aim to minimise human–wildlife conflicts in cities. We investigated a rare case of the Red-legged Seriema, a large-sized terrestrial bird, occurring in an urbanized zone in a Neotropical city. We described their behaviors and assessed their distribution based on hundreds of data provided by citizen scientists. We discovered that Seriemas are occurring in the same space occupied by many free-ranging cats within the study area, which are being supported by humans offering food provisions. Humans are also providing food for Seriemas directly. The species is also benefiting from using human-made structures to improve their behavior related to territory defense and opportunistic foraging. However, some are still unable to avoid car collisions, which is a threat to their persistence in this area. Our study suggests that humans may be contributing to the domestication process of Seriemas, which may lead to them losing fear of humans, but not necessarily acquiring behavior that is advantageous to survival in cities. Abstract Wildlife living within urban ecosystems have to adapt or perish. Red-legged Seriema, a large terrestrial bird, are rare in urban ecosystems, however, they have been reported in a medium-sized Brazilian city. We investigated the reasons for this occurrence as well as their behavior. We assessed the distribution of Seriemas (including fledglings), free-ranging cats, and cat-feeding points provided by humans, and past records of Seriemas in the study area. We discovered that Seriemas are sharing spatial resources with cats without apparent conflicts, and intraspecific competition was important to define the spatial distribution of Seriemas. This species is able to use human-made structures to improve territory defense and opportunistic foraging. Direct and indirect human food provisioning is helping them to survive in the studied area, but is also facilitating the domestication process, which may cause future conflicts with humans and cats. Although Seriemas have inhabited the studied urban area for years, they are still adapting their behaviors for urban life, as they have not yet perceived the dangers of automotive traffic. Our study corroborates that wild species may adapt to urban areas driven by human contact, but it also acts as a trap for the adaptive process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo R Alexandrino
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Juliano A Bogoni
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Ana B Navarro
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Alex A A Bovo
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Rafael M Gonçalves
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Jacob D Charters
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Juan A Domini
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Katia M P M B Ferraz
- University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Department, Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC). Pádua Dias, Av., P.O. Box 09, Piracicaba/SP 13418-900, Brazil.
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24
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Dayer AA, Rosenblatt C, Bonter DN, Faulkner H, Hall RJ, Hochachka WM, Phillips TB, Hawley DM. Observations at backyard bird feeders influence the emotions and actions of people that feed birds. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A. Dayer
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia
| | - Connor Rosenblatt
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia
| | | | | | - Richard J. Hall
- Odum School of Ecology and Department of Infectious Diseases College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia Athens Georgia
| | | | | | - Dana M. Hawley
- Department of Biological Sciences Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia
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25
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Baverstock S, Weston MA, Miller KK. A global paucity of wild bird feeding policy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 653:105-111. [PMID: 30408658 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Feeding wild birds is a common and popular human-wildlife interaction throughout the world. However, controversy exists over the benefits and costs to the birds and humans involved. This bibliometric study documents wild bird feeding policies around the globe and examines environmental and socio-cultural factors which may influence the position adopted by these policies. We located 412 policies from 237 different countries, territories or dependencies (jurisdictions); 58.7% of jurisdictions had no information available online regarding wild bird feeding policy. Generalized Linear Modelling revealed that colder minimum ambient temperatures were associated with more pro-feeding policy settings. An index of controversy was calculated for each jurisdiction; most (77.6%) had no controversy. This study highlights the significant variation in policy settings for wild bird feeding across jurisdictions and controversy in almost a quarter of jurisdictions. Recommendations are made for the development of clear, consistent and readily available policy advice on this globally popular human-wildlife interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad Baverstock
- Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Geelong, Victoria 3125, Australia.
| | - Michael A Weston
- Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Geelong, Victoria 3125, Australia.
| | - Kelly K Miller
- Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Geelong, Victoria 3125, Australia.
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26
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Lawson B, Robinson RA, Toms MP, Risely K, MacDonald S, Cunningham AA. Health hazards to wild birds and risk factors associated with anthropogenic food provisioning. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29531146 PMCID: PMC5882997 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Provision of supplementary food for wild birds at garden feeding stations is a common, large-scale and year-round practice in multiple countries including Great Britain (GB). While these additional dietary resources can benefit wildlife, there is a concomitant risk of disease transmission, particularly when birds repeatedly congregate in the same place at high densities and through interactions of species that would not normally associate in close proximity. Citizen science schemes recording garden birds are popular and can integrate disease surveillance with population monitoring, offering a unique opportunity to explore inter-relationships between supplementary feeding, disease epidemiology and population dynamics. Here, we present findings from a national surveillance programme in GB and note the dynamism of endemic and emerging diseases over a 25-year period, focusing on protozoal (finch trichomonosis), viral (Paridae pox) and bacterial (passerine salmonellosis) diseases with contrasting modes of transmission. We also examine the occurrence of mycotoxin contamination of food residues in bird feeders, which present both a direct and indirect (though immunosuppression) risk to wild bird health. Our results inform evidence-based mitigation strategies to minimize anthropogenically mediated health hazards, while maintaining the benefits of providing supplementary food for wild birds.This article is part of the theme issue 'Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host-parasite dynamics in wildlife'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becki Lawson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Robert A Robinson
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Mike P Toms
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Kate Risely
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Susan MacDonald
- Fera Science Ltd, National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK
| | - Andrew A Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
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27
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Altizer S, Becker DJ, Epstein JH, Forbes KM, Gillespie TR, Hall RJ, Hawley DM, Hernandez SM, Martin LB, Plowright RK, Satterfield DA, Streicker DG. Food for contagion: synthesis and future directions for studying host-parasite responses to resource shifts in anthropogenic environments. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29531154 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-provided resource subsidies for wildlife are diverse, common and have profound consequences for wildlife-pathogen interactions, as demonstrated by papers in this themed issue spanning empirical, theoretical and management perspectives from a range of study systems. Contributions cut across scales of organization, from the within-host dynamics of immune function, to population-level impacts on parasite transmission, to landscape- and regional-scale patterns of infection. In this concluding paper, we identify common threads and key findings from author contributions, including the consequences of resource subsidies for (i) host immunity; (ii) animal aggregation and contact rates; (iii) host movement and landscape-level infection patterns; and (iv) interspecific contacts and cross-species transmission. Exciting avenues for future work include studies that integrate mechanistic modelling and empirical approaches to better explore cross-scale processes, and experimental manipulations of food resources to quantify host and pathogen responses. Work is also needed to examine evolutionary responses to provisioning, and ask how diet-altered changes to the host microbiome influence infection processes. Given the massive public health and conservation implications of anthropogenic resource shifts, we end by underscoring the need for practical recommendations to manage supplemental feeding practices, limit human-wildlife conflicts over shared food resources and reduce cross-species transmission risks, including to humans.This article is part of the theme issue 'Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host-parasite dynamics in wildlife'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Altizer
- Odum School of Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA .,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Daniel J Becker
- Odum School of Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | | | - Kristian M Forbes
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Thomas R Gillespie
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Program in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Richard J Hall
- Odum School of Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Dana M Hawley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sonia M Hernandez
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Raina K Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Dara A Satterfield
- Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Daniel G Streicker
- Odum School of Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.,MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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28
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Moyers SC, Adelman JS, Farine DR, Thomason CA, Hawley DM. Feeder density enhances house finch disease transmission in experimental epidemics. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29531145 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic food provisioning of wildlife can alter the frequency of contacts among hosts and between hosts and environmental sources of pathogens. Despite the popularity of garden bird feeding, few studies have addressed how feeders influence host contact rates and disease dynamics. We experimentally manipulated feeder density in replicate aviaries containing captive, pathogen-naive, groups of house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) and continuously tracked behaviours at feeders using radio-frequency identification devices. We then inoculated one bird per group with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg), a common bacterial pathogen for which feeders are fomites of transmission, and assessed effects of feeder density on house finch behaviour and pathogen transmission. We found that pathogen transmission was significantly higher in groups with the highest density of bird feeders, despite a significantly lower rate of intraspecific aggressive interactions relative to the low feeder density groups. Conversely, among naive group members that never showed signs of disease, we saw significantly higher concentrations of Mg-specific antibodies in low feeder density groups, suggesting that birds in low feeder density treatments had exposure to subclinical doses of Mg. We discuss ways in which the density of garden bird feeders could play an important role in mediating the intensity of Mg epidemics.This article is part of the theme issue 'Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host-parasite dynamics in wildlife'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahnzi C Moyers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Derring Hall Room 2125, 1405 Perry Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0406, USA
| | - James S Adelman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Derring Hall Room 2125, 1405 Perry Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0406, USA.,Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Damien R Farine
- Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.,Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Konstanz 78464, Germany.,Chair of Biodiversity and Collective Behaviour, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78464, Germany
| | - Courtney A Thomason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Derring Hall Room 2125, 1405 Perry Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0406, USA
| | - Dana M Hawley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Derring Hall Room 2125, 1405 Perry Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0406, USA
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29
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Becker DJ, Hall RJ, Forbes KM, Plowright RK, Altizer S. Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host-parasite dynamics in wildlife. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29531141 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Becker
- Odum School of Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA .,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Richard J Hall
- Odum School of Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kristian M Forbes
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Raina K Plowright
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Sonia Altizer
- Odum School of Ecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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30
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Leveau LM. Urbanization, environmental stabilization and temporal persistence of bird species: a view from Latin America. PeerJ 2018; 6:e6056. [PMID: 30564519 PMCID: PMC6286803 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A 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. Methods I 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. Results In 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. 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, 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Matías Leveau
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-IEGEBA (CONICET-UBA), Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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31
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Gaston KJ, Soga M, Duffy JP, Garrett JK, Gaston S, Cox DTC. Personalised Ecology. Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 33:916-925. [PMID: 30449304 PMCID: PMC6343013 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The field of ecology has focused on understanding characteristics of natural systems in a manner as free as possible from biases of human observers. However, demand is growing for knowledge of human-nature interactions at the level of individual people. This is particularly driven by concerns around human health consequences due to changes in positive and negative interactions. This requires attention to the biased ways in which people encounter and experience other organisms. Here we define such a 'personalised ecology', and discuss its connections to other aspects of the field. We propose a framework of focal research topics, shaped by whether the unit of analysis is a single person, a single population, or multiple populations, and whether a human or nature perspective is foremost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK; Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Institute for Advanced Study, Wallotstrasse 19, 14193, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Masashi Soga
- School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1, Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - James P Duffy
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Joanne K Garrett
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Sian Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK; European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
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32
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Citizen science reveals widespread supplementary feeding of African woolly-necked storks in suburban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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33
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White RL, Eberstein K, Scott DM. Birds in the playground: Evaluating the effectiveness of an urban environmental education project in enhancing school children's awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards local wildlife. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193993. [PMID: 29509809 PMCID: PMC5839573 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Children nowadays, particularly in urban areas, are more disconnected from nature than ever before, leading to a large-scale "extinction of experience" with the natural world. Yet there are many potential benefits from children interacting with nature first-hand, including via outdoor learning opportunities. Urban environmental education programmes typically aim to increase awareness and knowledge of local biodiversity and to promote positive attitudes and behaviour towards the environment. However, limited research has been conducted evaluating to what extent these interventions achieve their goals. Here, we explore and assess the influence of a six-week bird-feeding and monitoring project conducted within school grounds ("Bird Buddies") on individual awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards birds by primary school children. This initiative was conducted across eight (sub-)urban primary schools within Brighton and Hove (UK), with 220 participating children (aged 7 to 10). Via pre- and post-project questionnaires, we found evidence for enhanced awareness of local biodiversity, alongside significant gains in both bird identification knowledge and attitudes, which were greatest for children with little prior exposure to nature. Many children expressed a keenness to continue improving the environmental value of their school grounds and to apply elements of the project at home. Student project evaluation scores were consistently positive. Mirroring this, participating teachers endorsed the project as a positive learning experience for their students. One year after the project, several schools were continuing to feed and watch birds. Collectively, the findings from this study highlight the multiple benefits that can be derived from engagement with a relatively short outdoor environmental activity. We therefore believe that such interventions, if repeated locally/longer term, could enhance children's experience with nature in urban settings with combined positive environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. White
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Eberstein
- Brighton and Hove environmental education, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn M. Scott
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
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34
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Salmón P, Nilsson JF, Watson H, Bensch S, Isaksson C. Selective disappearance of great tits with short telomeres in urban areas. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.1349. [PMID: 28878065 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban environments pose novel challenges, as well as opportunities, for urban-dwelling wildlife. Although differences have been reported in several phenotypic traits (e.g. morphology, physiology and behaviour) between urban and rural populations, it is poorly understood whether this affects individual fitness. Telomere dynamics are posited as one possible mechanism underlying senescence and mortality. It was recently shown that telomere shortening is accelerated when growing up in an urban, compared with a rural, environment. However, the implications of accelerated telomere attrition for fitness are still unclear. Here, we examine the relationship between telomere length (TL) and survival in a bird common to urban and rural environments, and during both early and later life. The results reveal that TL is a strong predictor of post-fledging survival and recruitment in both habitats but, crucially, selective disappearance of individuals with short telomeres early in life is more pronounced in the urban environment, resulting in a longer average TL among the adult population. However, following recruitment, we found no difference in the relationship between TL and survival between the urban and rural environments. This indicates that the urban environment has negative effects in early life, while during later life the benefits could potentially outweigh the costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Salmón
- Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, Lund 223 62, Sweden
| | - Johan F Nilsson
- Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, Lund 223 62, Sweden
| | - Hannah Watson
- Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, Lund 223 62, Sweden
| | - Staffan Bensch
- MEMEG, Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, Lund 223 62, Sweden
| | - Caroline Isaksson
- Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, Lund 223 62, Sweden
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