Determinants of native avian richness in suburban remnant vegetation: Implications for conservation planning

Published Date
Biological Conservation
September 2008, Vol.141(9):2329–2341, doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2008.06.025

Author 

• Grant C. Palmer ^a,b,
• James A. Fitzsimons ^a,1,
• Mark J. Antos ^a,2,
• John G. White ^a,,

• aSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
• bCentre for Environmental Management, School of Science and Engineering, University of Ballarat, P.O. Box 663, Ballarat, Victoria 3353, Australia

Received 15 February 2008. Revised 27 June 2008. Accepted 28 June 2008. Available online 15 August 2008. 

Abstract

While urban areas are increasingly recognized as having potential value for biodiversity conservation, the relationship between biodiversity and the structure and configuration of the urban landscape is poorly understood. In this study we surveyed birds in 39 remnant patches of native vegetation of various sizes (range 1–107 ha) embedded in the suburban matrix in Melbourne, Australia. The total richness of species within remnants was strongly associated with the size of remnants. Remnant-reliant species displayed a much stronger response to remnant area than matrix-tolerant species indicating the importance of large remnants in maintaining representative bird assemblages. Large remnants are important for other ecological groups of species including migratory species, ground foraging birds and canopy foraging birds. Other landscape (e.g. amount of riparian vegetation) and structural components (e.g. shrub cover) of remnants have a lesser role in determining the richness of individual remnants. This research provides conservation managers and planners with a hierarchical process to reserve design and management in order to conserve the highest richness of native species within urban areas. First of all, conservation efforts should preferentially focus on the retention of larger remnants of native vegetation. Second, where possible, riparian vegetation should be included within reserves or, where it is already present, should be carefully managed to ensure its integrity. Third, efforts should be focused at maintaining appropriate habitat and vegetation structure and complexity.

Keywords

Remnant area

Bird richness

Vegetation structure

Riparian vegetation

Urban landscape

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