关键词: 城市化, 城市-乡村-郊野梯度, 功能特征, 公民科学, 京津冀地区, 鸟类多样性

Abstract

Aims: The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, being at the forefront of China’s economic development, is undergoing rapid urbanization, posing potential effects on biodiversity. Birds, prevalent in urban and suburban landscapes, possess a sensitivity to environmental shifts and are crucial indicators of urban biodiversity. This research focuses on the avifauna of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, delving into differences in bird community structure and functional traits among urban, rural, and wild habitats.  

Methods: A dataset of 58,620 observation records spanning 2000 to 2019 was compiled from China Bird Report, GBIF, ebird, and other databases. After excluding records outside the breeding and wintering seasons, 17,978 valid observations were retained for analysis. We employed non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), principal component analysis (PCA), multivariate kernel density estimation, and other analyses to examine the differences in species composition and functional traits across the three landscape zones.

Results: Initial records documented 482 bird species in the region, representing 23 orders and 77 families. Following species screening, rural areas exhibited the highest species diversity (258 species) compared to the urban and wild zones. These species, spanning 20 orders and 64 families, accounted for 92.1% of the total number of species richness in the region. Urban and wild zones harbored 251 and 228 species, respectively, with 198 species (70.7%) shared among all zones. Species richness per sampling location was significantly greater in rural and wild areas compared to urban zones, with comparable levels between rural and wild habitats. Notable species composition overlaps were observed among the three habitat types. Functional traits analysis revealed that birds in urban and rural areas had higher mean body mass than those in wild areas, with no significant difference between urban and rural zones. Clutch size exhibited no significant variation among the zones. Urban habitats supported wide-ranging species, while wild areas hosted primarily narrow-ranging species. Despite these distinctions, dietary composition showed similarity across urban, rural, and wild landscapes.

Conclusions: Our investigation underscores the capacity of well-designed urban and suburban ecologies to sustain diverse avian populations. Noteworthy is the adaptability of birds to both urban and rural terrains amid the ongoing urbanization trend. Against this backdrop, we advocate for further research into conservation strategies tailored for regions with dense human populations and intensive land utilization. Future research endeavors should focus on safeguarding crucial resources within urban green spaces, water bodies, wetlands, rural agricultural lands, and paddy fields across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Key words: urbanization, urban-rural-wild gradient, functional traits, citizen science, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, bird diversity