dc.contributor.advisor |
Stanley, M |
en |
dc.contributor.advisor |
Krull, C |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Heggie-Gracie, Samuel |
en |
dc.date.accessioned |
2016-10-26T20:56:38Z |
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dc.date.issued |
2016 |
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dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2292/30855 |
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dc.description |
Full text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only. |
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dc.description.abstract |
Over 50% of the world’s population live in cities, and the rate of urbanisation continues to increase globally. Consequences of urbanisation such as noise pollution and land use change impact bird species composition and movement dynamics. In addition, wildlife habitats in cities are fragmented and heterogeneous, so it is pertinent to assess how birds respond to the impacts of urbanisation at different scales. Using 10 minute bird counts, I quantified avian composition in relation to environmental drivers at: 1) a large scale across an urbanisation gradient in Auckland City, and 2) a smaller spatial scale, within urban forest fragments. In the gradient study, species richness was highest in the least urbanised zone and declined with urbanisation. Bird density peaked at a moderate level of urbanisation, with medium housing density. Introduced house sparrows dominated abundance counts across the gradient, and introduced species were more dominant with increased urbanisation. Native species were more likely to be recorded where there were more shrubs and trees, less noise pollution and impermeable surfaces. Within urban fragments, bird communities were less likely to be dominated by a few introduced species, and had high native species richness. Native bird abundance was more dominant in interior compared with edge counts. Bird composition within fragments was driven primarily by: a) noise pollution, b) pest control intensity, c) isolation and d) neighbouring human density. To increase native urban bird abundance and richness, managers should prioritise quiet urban environments, with high shrub and tree cover. Increasing pest control in urban fragments, while creating habitat corridors to connect fragments, will enhance native bird occurrence and community compositions. Understanding how birds utilise urban environments not only allows us to measure changes as a result of intensification and other threats, but also allows for management of cities to improve the status of urban bird communities. |
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dc.publisher |
ResearchSpace@Auckland |
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dc.relation.ispartof |
Masters Thesis - University of Auckland |
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dc.relation.isreferencedby |
UoA99264889812802091 |
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dc.rights |
Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
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dc.rights |
Restricted Item. Available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland. |
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dc.rights.uri |
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm |
en |
dc.rights.uri |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/nz/ |
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dc.title |
Urban bird composition at different spatial scales |
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dc.type |
Thesis |
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thesis.degree.discipline |
Biosecurity and Conservation |
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thesis.degree.grantor |
The University of Auckland |
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thesis.degree.level |
Masters |
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dc.rights.holder |
Copyright: The author |
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pubs.elements-id |
544031 |
en |
pubs.record-created-at-source-date |
2016-10-27 |
en |
dc.identifier.wikidata |
Q112924966 |
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