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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
- Source :
- Oikos. 128:845-858
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2019.
-
Abstract
- Identifying which ecological and life history traits influence a species’ tolerance to urbanization is critical to understanding the trajectory of biodiversity in an increasingly urbanizing world. There is evidence for a wide array of contrasting patterns for single trait associations with urbanization. In a continental‐scale analysis, incorporating 477 species and >5 000 000 bird observations, we developed a novel and scalable methodology that evaluated the ecological and life history traits which most influence a species’ adaptability to persist in urban environments. Specifically, we assigned species‐specific scores based on continuous measures of response to urbanization, using VIIRS night‐time light values (i.e. radiance) as a proxy for urbanization. We identified generalized, phylogenetically controlled patterns: bird species which are generalists (i.e. large niche breadth), with large clutch size, and large residual brain size are among the most urban‐tolerant bird species. Conversely, specialized feeding strategies (i.e. insectivores and granivores) were negatively associated with urbanization. Enhancement and persistence of avian biodiversity in urban environments probably relies on protecting, maintaining and restoring diverse habitats serving a range of life history strategies.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Avian clutch size
Ecology
010604 marine biology & hydrobiology
Niche
Biodiversity
Generalist and specialist species
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
Life history theory
Geography
Urban ecology
Habitat
Urbanization
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 16000706 and 00301299
- Volume :
- 128
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Oikos
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........4b65db920903d99d41cfeff183caf4fc