Using Open-Source citizen science biodiversity data to determine spatial associations between native/exotic flora and specialist/non-specialist avian species within an urban setting

B.Sc. Jesse Stanford

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Urbanization is associated with the decline of biodiversity from consequent habitat conversion into urban fabrics. How taxa respond to this urbanization is contingent on the novel risks and resources created by the urban matrices and the ability of those species to utilize the new conditions. This study used open-source Citizen Science data to identify differing responses of native and nonnative flora species and avian dietary specialist species to Prague municipality’s urban matrix. Native and Nonnative flora species appeared to have both habitat overlap and distributions distinct from each other while native flora species richness decreased with increasing imperviousness and nonnative species increased. Similarly, avian dietary specialists and nonspecialists were not perfectly codistributed, but both declined with increasing imperviousness while nonspecialist species had a greater tolerance of high urban density. Avian specialists also had a higher preference for areas with greater native species richness and higher overall proportions of native flora species. Differences emerged when distinguishing between invertebrate and endotherm specialists with endotherm specialists tolerating areas with greater imperviousness and reduced abundances of flora species. Examining the protection status of avian species within the Czech Republic also revealed that protected species were more likely to have a high degree of dietary specialism and more sensitive to urbanization.

Keywords

avian diet, exotic species, native species, plant species, specialization, urbanization

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 3. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 16. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: Federico Morelli
• Reader: Peter Kumble, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme:
Landscape Planning