Planning an ecological network using the predicted movement paths of urban birds

Hong, Suk-Hwan; Han, Bong-Ho; Choi, Song-Hyun; Sung, Chan Yong; Lee, Kyong-Jae

doi:10.1007/s11355-012-0194-3

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Spatial Analysis [30][31][32][33] Emphasizes the horizontal ecological process to form a network pattern by simulating horizontal motion based on landscape ecology and GIS techniques; uses the minimum path model to determine the location and pattern of the corridor.…”

Section: Name Principles and Methods Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on the Optimization of Regional Green Infrastructure Network

Shi

Qin

2018

Sustainability

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With the rapid rate of urbanization, green infrastructure land is increasingly being converted to urban construction land, and the fragmentation of regional green infrastructure (GI) networks is intensifying. The connectivity of a GI network is of paramount importance for maintaining both regional biodiversity and regional ecosystem service capacity, among others. In this paper, an innovative approach to planning a GI network is presented. The proposed approach is based on the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) method, minimum path method, and circuit theory. Using the Zhengzhou–Kaifeng metropolitan area in China as a case study, we argue that the combination of the MSPA method and circuit theory can more fully and comprehensively identify the components of a GI network and its key areas. The methodology consists of three steps: (i) Identifying the cores and bridges of the GI by the MSPA method based on land use data, followed by determining the hubs of the GI network by assessing the connectivity of the core area; (ii) establishing potential connecting corridors between hubs by the minimum path method; (iii) identifying the “pinch point” area of the potential connecting corridors based on current density by applying circuit theory. This approach not only makes identification of the “hubs” and “links” in the green infrastructure network more scientific and comprehensive, but it also further identifies “pinch point” areas of the connecting corridors that require priority protection or recovery. The research results can be used as a practical reference for urban planners when planning urban land use.

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Section: Name Principles and Methods Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on the Optimization of Regional Green Infrastructure Network

Shi

Qin

2018

Sustainability

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“…Larger habitats with fewer gaps will increase foraging efficiency and decrease breeding costs in both P. major and C. caeruleus (Hashimoto et al 2005;Hinsley et al 2008), and P. major individuals prefer large woodland patches in their movements (Song and Kim 2015). However, in the absence of large woodlands, both species will readily make use of smaller vegetated patches as stepping stones (Hong et al 2013). Given the often-fragmented and dispersed nature of urban green space, this characteristic meshes effectively with the continuous approach (as opposed to a binary habitat model) used by circuit theory modelling.…”

Section: Urban Bird Flowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A bird’s eye view: using circuit theory to study urban landscape connectivity for birds

et al. 2017

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Context Connectivity is fundamental to understanding how landscape form influences ecological function. However, uncertainties persist due to the difficulty and expense of gathering empirical data to drive or to validate connectivity models, especially in urban areas, where relationships are multifaceted and the habitat matrix cannot be considered to be binary. Objectives This research used circuit theory to model urban bird flows (i.e. 'current'), and compared results to observed abundance. The aims were to explore the ability of this approach to predict wildlife flows and to test relationships between modelled connectivity and variation in abundance. Methods Circuitscape was used to model functional connectivity in Bedford, Luton/Dunstable, and Milton Keynes, UK, for great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), drawing parameters from published studies of woodland bird flows in urban environments. Model performance was then tested against observed abundance data. Results Modelled current showed a weak yet positive agreement with combined abundance for P. major and C. caeruleus. Weaker correlations were found for other woodland species, suggesting the approach may be expandable if re-parameterised. Conclusions Trees provide suitable habitat for urban woodland bird species, but their location in large, contiguous patches and corridors along barriers also facilitates connectivity networks throughout the urban matrix. Urban connectivity studies are well-served by the advantages of circuit theory approaches, and benefit from the empirical study of wildlife flows in these landscapes to parameterise this type of modelling more explicitly. Such results can prove informative and beneficial in designing urban green space and new developments.

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“…Characteristics of the urban vegetation, such as street trees, gardens and natural habitat patches, are important for the maintenance of bird populations in cities [8]. Actions such as planting native tree species [9], planning an ecological network connecting habitat patches [10] and ensuring the availability of resources for native fauna [11] increase bird species richness, abundance and diversity as well as reducing the negative effects of the urbanization process, such as biotic homogenization [12]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Street trees reduce the negative effects of urbanization on birds

et al. 2017

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The effects of streets on biodiversity is an important aspect of urban ecology, but it has been neglected worldwide. Several vegetation attributes (e.g. street tree density and diversity) have important effects on biodiversity and ecological processes. In this study, we evaluated the influences of urban vegetation—represented by characteristics of street trees (canopy size, proportion of native tree species and tree species richness)—and characteristics of the landscape (distance to parks and vegetation quantity), and human impacts (human population size and exposure to noise) on taxonomic data and functional diversity indices of the bird community inhabiting streets. The study area was the southern region of Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil), a largely urbanized city in the understudied Neotropical region. Bird data were collected on 60 point count locations distributed across the streets of the landscape. We used a series of competing GLM models (using Akaike's information criterion for small sample sizes) to assess the relative contribution of the different sets of variables to explain the observed patterns. Seventy-three bird species were observed exploiting the streets: native species were the most abundant and frequent throughout this landscape. The bird community's functional richness and Rao's Quadratic Entropy presented values lower than 0.5. Therefore, this landscape was favoring few functional traits. Exposure to noise was the most limiting factor for this bird community. However, the average size of arboreal patches and, especially the characteristics of street trees, were able to reduce the negative effects of noise on the bird community. These results show the importance of adequately planning the urban afforestation process: increasing tree species richness, preserving large trees and planting more native trees species in the streets are management practices that will increase bird species richness, abundance and community functional aspects and consequently improve human wellbeing and quality of life.

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Planning an ecological network using the predicted movement paths of urban birds

Cited by 17 publications

References 34 publications

Research on the Optimization of Regional Green Infrastructure Network

Research on the Optimization of Regional Green Infrastructure Network

A bird’s eye view: using circuit theory to study urban landscape connectivity for birds

Street trees reduce the negative effects of urbanization on birds

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