A highly effective incubation strategy enhanced the urban bird hatch success

Ma, Long; Liu, Yuancheng; Lü, Wenjing; Zhang, Zheng; Li, Wanyou; Zhang, Ziwei; Zhang, Xueli; Zhu, Chaoying; Bai, Junpeng; Xu, Zhifeng; Han, Yuqing; Ruan, Luzhang

doi:10.1016/j.avrs.2022.100074

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 67 publications

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“…It can also create strongly selective environments, leading to a limited species pool in urban compared to natural habitats (Capotorti et al, 2023; Hill et al, 2021; Schueller et al, 2023). Species that can withstand the effects of urbanisation might adapt via genetic (Brans et al, 2018; Brans and De Meester, 2018; Johnson and Munshi-South, 2017) and behavioral changes (Ma et al, 2023; Rivera-Gutierrez et al, 2023; Uchida et al, 2020; Yin et al, 2023), which can foster population persistence and even successful colonization of the habitats in the blue-green infrastructure of urban areas. Consequently, urban habitats can also act as refuges and host considerable biodiversity depending on habitat planning and management (Soanes et al, 2023, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of urbanisation, habitat characteristics, and management on garden pond biodiversity: a citizen science approach

Márton,

Barta,

Vad

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The rapid expansion of urban areas leads to loss, fragmentation, and degradation of natural habitats, posing a serious threat to biodiversity. While urban ponds might contribute substantially to the biodiversity of urban blue-green infrastructure, the role of garden ponds, one of their most numerous representatives, is still little known. We lack a comprehensive understanding of how local habitat features, different forms of management, and urbanisation might impact the biodiversity of these habitats. This study aimed to reveal the importance of garden ponds via a country-wide online citizen science survey in Hungary, Central Europe. Based on data from over 800 pond owners, we gained knowledge about the prevalence and local frequency of various native animal groups, including amphibians, odonates, and birds, as well as information regarding introduced animals, such as fish. Additionally, we collected data about pond features and management practices. We tested the effect of pond features, pond management, and landscape-level drivers (urbanisation, surrounding wetland coverage) on the presence of conspicuous animal groups (adult amphibians, birds, odonates, and tadpoles) along with species of adult amphibians to identify the potential drivers of the biodiversity of garden ponds. Key pond features like pond age, area, aquatic and shoreline vegetation were the most important factors, while algaecide addition was the most influential management practice negatively affecting the presence of amphibians. Urbanisation had a negative effect on the presence of adult amphibians and their tadpoles, but surprisingly, it was not negatively associated with the presence of odonates and birds. Our results demonstrate the vital role of garden ponds in urban biodiversity conservation, most notably by providing secondary habitats and contributing to amphibian conservation, as evidenced by the occurrence of 13 species. Emphasizing public involvement is key in developing effective urban biodiversity conservation strategies and recognizing citizens’ potential contributions to a better functioning blue-green infrastructure.Graphical abstractGraphical abstract:Summary of the key results from the MyPond survey. Arrows indicate significant relationships (blue: positive, red: negative) between the presence of animal groups and pond features and management practices)HighlightsOver 800 garden pond owners participated in a citizen science project in Hungary.Garden ponds can host flagship animal groups, e.g., amphibians, odonates, and birds.Pond age, area, and vegetation influenced the occurrence of these animal groups.Urbanisation had a negative effect on amphibian communities.Algaecide application played a key role in the presence of multiple animal groups.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of urbanisation, habitat characteristics, and management on garden pond biodiversity: a citizen science approach

Márton,

Barta,

Vad

et al. 2023

Preprint

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No difference in reproductive investment or success across urban and rural breeding pairs in an urban-adapted songbird

Guindre-Parker,

Acosta,

Bourque

et al. 2024

Ornithology

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Species classified as “urban-adapters” are often assumed to thrive in cities because they are commonly found across the urbanization gradient. However, urban-living populations of many urban-adapted species have been found to have lower reproductive success relative to their rural counterparts. Sturnus vulgaris (European Starling) is a common urban-adapted species found across most of the globe. While S. vulgaris have lowered reproductive success in urban areas in their native range, less is known about how urbanization impacts reproduction in their invasive ranges. We tested for differences in reproductive investment and success across urban and rural S. vulgaris populations in Georgia, which is part of their North American invasive range. We found few differences in reproductive output for urban versus rural S. vulgaris—clutch size, egg mass, egg volume, incubation behavior, provisioning rates, brooding behavior and nestling wing chord were all similar across S. vulgaris populations from more urban and more rural study sites. Although urban birds produced a higher number of hatchlings and rural birds produced young in higher body condition, neither of these factors influenced reproductive success because the number of fledglings produced were similar for urban and rural breeding S. vulgaris. Overall, S. vulgaris in their invasive range performed similarly well in more urban versus more rural habitats. Future work should explore whether urbanization affects other components of fitness in starlings (e.g., adult survival).

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A highly effective incubation strategy enhanced the urban bird hatch success

Cited by 2 publications

References 67 publications

Effects of urbanisation, habitat characteristics, and management on garden pond biodiversity: a citizen science approach

Effects of urbanisation, habitat characteristics, and management on garden pond biodiversity: a citizen science approach

No difference in reproductive investment or success across urban and rural breeding pairs in an urban-adapted songbird

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