1/5 #SCBMelb20
Urbanisation alters habitats by removing 🌳🌲 and replacing them with 🏠🏡. This has significant and varied effects on #birds – more 🏠 and less 🌳 may both lead to declines in 🐦🦜🦆 species richness.
But which is more important for maintaining #urbanbiodiversity?
2/5 #SCBMelb20
To test this, I selected 3⃣0⃣ suburbs in greater Melb, stratified to represent two gradients – 🏠 density (or % cover of 🏠) and canopy 🌳 cover.
In each suburb, I established 1⃣0⃣ sites and conducted 5⃣ rounds of point count surveys for 🐦 from Sep 18 – Dec 19.
3/5 #SCBMelb20
Overall, I recorded 7⃣7⃣ 🐦 species. The 🐦 richness per suburb ranged from 2⃣4⃣ - 4⃣9⃣ species.
My prelim results show that as a suburb becomes more developed, we see a significant decline in the no. of 🐦 species recorded.
More 🏠🏡 cover = less 🐦 species ☹
4/5 #SCBMelb20
In contrast, suburbs with a greater extent of canopy 🌳 had a higher number of 🐦 species present.
More canopy 🌳🌲 cover = more 🐦🦜🦆 species! 😊
Of these two factors, 🏠 density appears to be a better predictor of 🐦 species richness (more modelling to come!).
5/5 #SCBMelb20
In summary, increased 🏠 density leads to a decline in 🐦 species richness.
However, we may be able to maintain 🐦🦜🦆 by retaining canopy 🌳🌲 cover!
These findings will be increasingly important for #urbanconservation as development progresses across Melb 🏠🏡
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