Why is bird species richness important?

Why is bird diversity an indicator of species richness?

They are being the most important biotic component of any type of ecosystem and play a crucial role in the maintaining of the ecological balance (Tabur & Ayvaz 2010). Therefore, bird diversity is an indicator of species richness of natural ecosystem (Egwumah et.

Why do we need to save the birds?

Birds are important to continue ecologic circle, specially in food chain. For the last three centuries, industrial developments and anthropological effects have degraded habitats and caused the natural balance to deteriorate. Approximately 200 bird species had been affected directly or indirectly from these negative changes.

Does bird species richness and evenness differ between natural and urban habitats?

This observation corresponds to the primary purpose of the study: species evenness may demonstrate a dissimilarity in bird diversity between natural and urban environments. Few studies have separately explored bird species richness and evenness to answer this question in various bird habitats.

Is there a relationship between habitat and bird species richness?

In the study of Waltert et al ., farmland and forestland had a similar bird species richness, and frugivorous and omnivorous bird species richness did not differ between these habitats 27. Urban building areas and urban parks and greenspaces had a negative effect on species richness.

Why is bird diversity important to humans?

Some studies indicated that a higher ecological diversity not only benefits species survival but is also an important indicator of human well-being 17, 18. The promotion of bird diversity is a useful method for generating human psychological benefits 19.

Can we predict bird diversity in various habitats?

More studies are needed on the mechanism and effective prediction of bird diversity in various habitats. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the difference in the species richness and evenness of various habitats.

What are the environmental factors that affect bird diversity?

The presence of forest is a positive environmental characteristic for bird diversity in various environments 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 23. The percentage of coniferous tree cover is an important variable for predicting the number of birds 8 and bird species richness 2.

Why should we save birds?

There are more to why we should save birds, the most important being the predictor of natural disasters and the contribution to birds to science. Let us save the birds before we come to a stage where we are in an urge to save the last few birds existing.

How does habitat affect bird species evenness?

Natural habitats had a higher positive effect on bird species evenness compared to farmland-related and urban habitats. Forestland, grassland, freshwater wetland, and farmland had a positive effect on species richness. Building areas decreased species richness.

How do bird species richness and species evenness differ in urban parks?

The higher bird number and lower species evenness in urban parks and greenspaces were dissimilar to the urban building area. The results showed that bird species richness and evenness were different between natural and human-related habitats. Three detailed characteristics can be identified.

Can forest characteristics predict bird species richness and evenness in temperate forests?

Forestland can be used to predict bird species richness and evenness. Mixed trees, conifer forests, and bamboo forests were important forest characteristics for promoting species richness and evenness. In other landscape habitats, tall grasslandq and orchards were essential habitats for promoting both higher bird species richness and evenness.

How does urbanization affect the number of breeding birds?

The number of breeding bird species increases from urban to suburban, rural, and natural areas 2, 4, 12, 21. A few studies indicated that urbanization did not reduce bird species richness (i.e., the number of bird species) due to an abundant food supply, but rather increased the number of birds in a few dominant bird species 22.

Why do birds prefer certain habitats?

abundant of food resources also play equal role in habitat preference by bird species. Similar finding was reported by (Zakaria et al. 2009, Lameed2011). due to similar vegetation structure. This finding is therefore in line with the findings of most of the past studies conducted on birds in relation to altitude.

What is the importance of studying birds?

Birds are important because they are a window that mirrors our own humanness. By observing bird behaviors and learning the details of their lives, we learn about ourselves and what it means to be both fully human and fully alive. — GrrlScientist, Blogger, evolutionary biologist, and ornithologist

Do butterfly and bird populations correlate with each other?

A study of bird and butterfly species showed that the two were correlated on spatial scales of 1 to 10km, which suggested that the number of bird species would also indicate diversity of butterflies in small patches of habitat. 12 In Greece a study examined correlations between species richness across several taxa in different areas.

How do city landscapes affect bird species diversity in the United States?

The results showed a significant effect of city landscapes on bird richness and relative abundance; residential neighborhoods, institutional grounds, and informal settlements had the highest species diversity in comparison to other microlandscape types.

What environmental factors are important in changing the structure or avian communities?

(2) What environmental factors are important in changing the structure or avian communities in urban area, such as species diversity and guild structure. The study sites were 20 urban parks or green spaces located in central urban area in Sendai, northern Japan. Bird surveys were conducted from middle to late breeding season.

How do birds help us understand the environment?

Because many species of birds have become specialised to occupy certain niches and together they inhabit almost every conceivable habitat, they are responsive to a wide variety of environmental changes and can reflect diversity and trends in other animals and plants with which they coexist.

What is the relationship between birds and the urban environment?

Crosi et al. (2009) also focused on the relationship between biological traits of birds and urban environment and found that omnivorous species are at an advantage in urban area, whereas granivorous species and species preferring shrub habitat are at a disadvantage.

Do environmental factors affect species richness and diversity index?

The environmental factors only had significant relation with any species richness, diversity index H ′, and equitability were showed. “+” means that they were positively affected by the environmental factors and “−” means negatively affected. The number of +/− represent the level of significance. One represent <0.05, two <0.01, and three <0.001.

How can you contribute to save the birds?

Awareness is the first step and you’ve already taken that by reading this article. Take a few minutes today to consider what your contribution will be. If you have more time than money, begin bird watching and help contribute valuable data about the birds you see. If you have more money than time, consider a donation.