Urban bird ecology and conservation

Urban Bird Ecology and Conservation
Christopher A. Lepczyk & Paige S. Warren
1st edition
344 pages
ISBN-10: 0520273095
ISBN-13: 978-0520273092

Now that more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, the study of birds in urban ecosystems has emerged at the forefront of ornithological research. An international team of leading researchers in urban bird ecology and conservation from across Europe and North America presents the state of this diverse field, addressing classic questions while proposing new directions for further study. Areas of particular focus include the processes underlying patterns of species shifts along urban-rural gradients, the demography of urban birds and the role of citizen science, and human-avian interaction in urban areas. This important reference fills a crucial need for scientists, planners, and managers of urban spaces and all those interested in the study and conservation of birds in the world’s expanding metropolises.



Table of Contents

Contributors / ix
Preface / xiii

1- Beyond The Gradient: Insights From New Work In The Avian Ecology Of Urbanizing Lands / 1

Part I • Mechanisms and Urban-Rural Gradients
2- Using Gradient Analysis To Uncover Pattern And Process In Urban Bird Communities / 9
3- From Forests To Cities: Effects Of Urbanization On Tropical Birds / 33
4- Does Nest Predation Shape Urban Bird Communities? / 49
5- Evaluating Factors That Influence Avian Community Response To Urbanization / 71
6- Impacts Of Seasonal Small-Scale Urbanization On Nest Predation And Bird Assemblages At Tourist Destinations / 93

Part II • Citizen Science and Demography of Urban Birds
7- The Use Of Citizen Volunteers In Urban Bird Research / 113
8- Painted Bunting Conservation: Traditional Monitoring Meets Citizen Science / 125
9- A New Approach To Urban Bird Monitoring: The Tucson Bird Count / 139
10- Distribution And Habitat Of Greater Roadrunners In Urban And Suburban Arizona / 155
11- Edges, Trails, And Reproductive Performance Of Spotted Towhees In Urban Greenspaces / 167
12- Post-Fledging Mobility In An Urban Landscape / 183

Part III • Human-Avian Interactions and Planning
13- Avian Conservation In Urban Environments: What Do Ecologists Bring To The
Table? / 201
14- How Biologists Can Involve Developers, Planners, And Policymakers In Urban Avian Conservation / 215
15- Predicting Avian Community Responses To Increasing Urbanization / 223
16- Interactions Between People And Birds In Urban Landscapes / 249
17- Who Feeds The Birds? A Comparison Across Regions / 267

Part IV • Future Directions
18- Urban Evolutionary Ecology / 287
Index / 309

Complete Series List / 325

SPECIAL TOPIC A: Does Habitat Heterogeneity Affect Bird Community Structure In Urban Parks?
SPECIAL TOPIC B: Home Range And Habitat Use Of Cooper’s Hawks In Urban And Natural Areas