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?
Urbanisation alters habitats by removing









But which is more important for maintaining #urbanbiodiversity?
2/5 #SCBMelb20
To test this, I selected
suburbs in greater Melb, stratified to represent two gradients –
density (or % cover of
) and canopy
cover.
In each suburb, I established
sites and conducted
rounds of point count surveys for
from Sep 18 – Dec 19.
To test this, I selected





In each suburb, I established




3/5 #SCBMelb20
Overall, I recorded
species. The
richness per suburb ranged from 
- 
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
Overall, I recorded








My prelim results show that as a suburb becomes more developed, we see a significant decline in the no. of

More




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!).
In contrast, suburbs with a greater extent of canopy


More canopy






Of these two factors,


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
In summary, increased


However, we may be able to maintain





These findings will be increasingly important for #urbanconservation as development progresses across Melb

