2023-11-28 14:16:04
An international team involving researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC) has analyzed the distribution of 115 species of birds in spring and 72 that spend the winter in nine European cities.
The conclusion they have reached is that the configuration of urban spaces favors the presence of species with different characteristics, with what this means for the improvement of ecosystems and the health of citizens. The article, published in the magazine Science of the Total Environmentproposes lines of action to promote the creation of more livable cities for both birds and citizens.
For this work, in which scientists from research centers in Finland, Poland, Germany, Holland and the Czech Republic also participate, the research team has collected data on bird communities in the two main types of urban development (integrative or separator) from various European cities such as Madrid, Granada, Toledo or Prague.
The team has collected data on birds in the two main types of urban development in various European cities such as Madrid, Granada, Toledo and Prague.
Integrative urban development is characterized by maintain small green areas, usually in the form of private gardens and vegetation on the streets, mixed with single-family buildings and low population density. On the contrary, separating urban development is characterized by maintaining large green areas, usually large parks and gardens, well differentiated from built-up areas that have a high population density with apartment blocks.
Different cities, different diversity of birds
“We have quantified characteristics such as their degree of dietary specialization, the type of nests they build, the effort they invest in reproducing or their longevity for each species identified in the European cities studied. Thus, we have been able to analyze whether urban design favors species with one or other types of traits,” explains the MNCN researcher. Mario Diaz.
“In previous studies we had detected that an integrating or separating urban development determined the presence of different bird communities,” he comments. John Diego Ibanez Poplar, researcher at the University of Granada. “This research has also allowed us to identify what characteristics of birds allow them to settle in one or another type of urban areas,” continues Ibáñez.
In previous studies we had detected that an integrating or separating urban development determined the presence of different bird communities
Juan Diego Ibáñez Álamo, researcher at the UGR
In the separating urban spaces breed birds that lay many eggs, that more frequently use open nests and with rapid life cycles, such as stonechats, chiffchaffs and larks. Faced with this, in the Integrative urban areas predominate birds with more demanding breeding and longer life cycles, such as chickadees, kestrels or seagulls.
“The data we have obtained clearly indicates the need to favor the mixture of both types of urban development to allow there to be a greater diversity of birds. Greater urban biodiversity is not only beneficial for our immediate environment but also for our own health and well-being,” concludes the MNCN researcher.
Reference:
J.D. Ibáñez-Álamo te al. Urban landscape organization is associated with species-specific traits in European birds. Science of the Total Environment
Rights: Creative Commons.
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