Effects of urbanization on bird species richness and community composition

Surveys were conducted from november 2004 to july 2005 in three habitat types in southwestern china. a total of 7,628 individuals of 123 bird species were recorded. by comparing our results to those of a previous study in the same area,we found that urbanization was likely responsible for decreasing species richness. although some endangered water bird species vanished in the river habitats,there was higher species richness and diversity in this habitat than in other habitats,due to high nutrient availability. additionally,small and isolated forest fragments in suburban areas failed to sustain high diversity,even though the heterogeneity of this environment favours local bird richness. interestingly,we found signs of recovery of some vanishing native bird species,possibly due to a reduction of pesticide usage in agricultural habitats. copyright 2013 zoological society of pakistan.