Bird Diversity and Distribution in relation to Urban Landscape Types in Northern Rwanda

Abstract

Using the point count method, linear mixed models, Shannon's diversity index, and Bray-Curtis cluster analysis, we conducted a study of the effect of urban fabric layout on bird diversity and distribution in northern Rwanda. 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. Riversides were characterized by specialized bird species, commonly known to be restricted to wetland environments. Built-up areas and open field landscapes had comparable results. One Albertine Rift endemic bird species, the Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris stuhlmanni), was recorded. Three migratory birds were found in Musanze city for the first time: the Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), and the Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus). Two bird species have not been previously reported in Rwanda: the Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) and the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina). The implications of this study are particularly relevant to urban decision makers who should consider the existence of a great diversity of avian fauna when developing and implementing master plans, especially when villages and cities are in proximity of protected areas or natural reserves.

Street trees reduce the negative effects of urbanization on birds

“…Different groups of arthropods are abundant in urban landscapes, such as generalist ground arthropods, plant-feeding arthropods and generalist pollinating arthropods [57]. Domestic wastes also provide opportunities for insectivorous birds to feed on insects such as flies and mosquitoes [58]. Furthermore, the high diversity of tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) in Neotropical cities [53–56,59], probably have a positive effect on the larger number of insectivorous species that occupy Neotropical urban landscapes.…”

Hierarchical filters determine community assembly of urban species pools

“…, , Gatesire et al. ). Finally, studies conducted to date are strongly biased taxonomically, with far more work on plants and passerine birds, compared to other taxonomic groups that are often represented by only a single study (Warren et al.…”

“…First, there are currently no quantitative comparisons of socioeconomic-biodiversity relationships across cities globally. Second, most studies to date have been conducted in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere with few studies in sub-tropical and tropical systems, the southern hemisphere, and developing countries (but see Lubbe et al 2010, MacGregor-Fors et al 2010, Cilliers et al 2012, Gatesire et al 2014). Finally, studies conducted to date are strongly biased taxonomically, with far more work on plants and passerine birds, compared to other taxonomic groups that are often represented by only a single study (Warren et al 2010).…”

Generalists are the most urban‐tolerant of birds: a phylogenetically controlled analysis of ecological and life history traits using a novel continuous measure of bird responses to urbanization

“…Urbanization drastically changes natural habitats through destruction, fragmentation and isolation (Marzluff and Ewing 2001, Melles et al 2003, Loram et al 2007, often providing ecologically novel landscapes for species, including invasive species, anthropogenic food sources and increased pollution. Some species successfully adapt, colonize and thrive in urban environments (McKinney 2002, Chace and Walsh 2006, Evans et al 2009, Lowry et al 2013, McDonnell and Hahs 2015, while others, common in surrounding natural habitats, rarely occur in urban environments (Tratalos et al 2007, Evans et al 2011, Gatesire et al 2014. Urbanization selects for specific sets of species, based on the regional pool (Aronson et al 2016), globally threatening biodiversity through processes such as biotic (McKinney 2006(McKinney , 2008, functional (Devictor et al 2007), and phylogenetic homogenization (Ibáñez-Álamo et al 2017, Sol et al 2017), a major concern for conservation ( Czech et al 2000, Dearborn andKark 2010).…”