Faecal metabarcoding reveals pervasive long-distance impacts of garden bird feeding

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 288(1951), P. 20210480 - 20210480

Published: May 26, 2021

Supplementary feeding of wildlife is widespread, being undertaken by more than half households in many countries. However, the impact that these supplemental resources have unclear, with impacts largely considered to be restricted urban ecosystems. We reveal pervasiveness supplementary foodstuffs diet a wild bird using metabarcoding blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) faeces collected early spring from 220 km transect Scotland large urbanization gradient. were present majority samples, peanut (Arachis hypogaea) single commonest (either natural or supplementary) dietary item. Consumption rates exhibited distance decay human habitation but remained high at several hundred metres nearest household and continued our study limit 1.4 distant. food consumption was associated near quadrupling breeding density 5-day advancement phenology. show woodland species increasing UK population trends, while do not, and/or are outcompeted tits, likely declining. suggest larger spatially extensive currently appreciated could disrupting ecosystem dynamics.

Language: Английский

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Pulses of anthropogenic food availability appear to benefit parents, but compromise nestling growth in urban red-winged starlings

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 197(3), P. 565 - 576

Published: Sept. 18, 2021

The provision of anthropogenic food undoubtedly influences urban bird fitness. However, the nature impact is unclear, with both benefits and costs diets documented. Moreover, influence short-term fluctuations in availability, linked to weekday/weekend cycles human presence, largely unknown. We explored whether breeding red-winged starlings Onychognathus morio Cape Town, South Africa, altered foraging provisioning behaviour between days high presence (HHP) low (LHP)-i.e. weekdays versus weekends vacation days. investigated relationship starling diet, adult body mass nestling development. Breeding adults consumed provisioned same quantity food, but a significantly greater proportion on HHP compared LHP Adults apparently benefited from experiencing gain nestlings experienced cost, number during period associated negatively size. may, therefore, benefit calorie content while may be affected by nutrient limitation. available environments survival, its quality imposes cost growth.

Language: Английский

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Factors influencing butterfly and bumblebee richness and abundance in gardens

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 908, P. 167995 - 167995

Published: Nov. 7, 2023

Gardens are often depicted as green sanctuaries, providing refuges for wildlife displaced from the countryside due to intensive farming. While gardens have been recognized their positive impact on biodiversity conservation, few studies investigated of pesticide usage in domestic gardens. In this study, we explored how butterfly and bumblebee populations across UK influenced by habitat quality, urbanisation level use. To achieve this, engaged with participants Garden BirdWatch, a weekly garden recording scheme operated British Trust Ornithology. Participants study provided data attributes surrounding area were asked complete questionnaire about practices. Of 417 which obtained useful data, found that 32.6 % had pesticides applied to. Urbanisation quality main factors influencing insect populations. Butterfly richness was lower suburban urban abundance only when compared rural gardens, but relationship did not hold bumblebees. Abundance butterflies bumblebees, species richness, increased Butterflies more northerly case Effects relatively weak, 7 applying any pesticide. Overall, our shows strongly both extrinsic intrinsic factors, management can an important effect population.

Language: Английский

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Nutritional implications of feeding free‐living birds in public urban areas

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 105(2), P. 385 - 393

Published: Sept. 19, 2020

Supplementary feeding can affect populations of birds. It reduces energy spent on foraging and the risk starvation, but it also increases disease transmission predation. may reduce species richness if some are better able to exploit supplementary food resources than others. Feeding artificially inflate carrying capacity ecosystem, leading bird nuisance in form droppings noise. The aim this study was characterise quantify factors consequences free-living birds public areas western part city Amsterdam. In seven areas, following data were collected: population size composition, events, type amount offered. Estimations made nutritional provided number that could be supported by Members who fed invited complete a questionnaire various aspects feeding. Results showed attracts juvenile gulls feral pigeons, which long-term biodiversity. Bread main category being offered (estimated 67% total food). majority respondents so as not waste bread meal leftovers. six studied, an overabundance calculated. We conclude current extent Amsterdam is nutritionally unbalanced affects diversity at local level. undesirable for reasons both animal health, because lead malnutrition, surplus rats have negative effect water quality.

Language: Английский

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Differential Long-Term Population Responses of Two Closely Related Human-Associated Sparrow Species with Respect to Urbanization

Birds, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2(3), P. 230 - 249

Published: July 24, 2021

Urban planning and management need long-term population level studies for evaluating how urbanization influences biodiversity. Firstly, we reviewed the current trends of House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Eurasian Tree montanus) in Europe, evaluated usefulness citizens’ science projects to monitor these species Finland. Secondly, conducted a (1991–2020) winter field study 31 urban settlements along 950 km north–south extent Finland latitude, weather influence on sparrow’s growth rates. The is declining 15 countries, increasing 5, whereas 12 9 European countries. trend was significantly negative continental Europe. However, not significant. Both have declined simultaneously six four their are opposite. Citizen-based, (2006–2020) season project data indicated that has decreased, increased short-term (2013–2020) breeding citizen-based did indicate significant changes occupation rate sparrows. Our wintering populations Sparrows both expanded range size. Based our count data, latitude rates When human within plot, vice versa. There also decreasing number feeding sites decreased numbers. Urban-related factors Sparrow. results colonization new, even closely related does negatively earlier urbanized species. It probable niches sparrow different enough allowing them co-occur. mainly nests buildings, can easily accept, e.g., nest boxes. should take care food availability

Language: Английский

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