Biodiv Sci ›› 2006, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (5): 372-381.  DOI: 10.1360/biodiv.060013

• 论文 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Habitat use of urban tree sparrows in the process of urbanization: Beijing as a case study

Shuping Zhang1,2, Guangmei Zheng1*, Jiliang Xu3   

  1. 1 College of Life Sciences , Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875
    2 College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Central University for Nationalities, Beijing 100081
    3 College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083
  • Received:2006-01-16 Revised:2006-07-15 Online:2006-09-20 Published:2006-09-20
  • Contact: Guangmei Zheng

Abstract: The tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a dominant species of urban bird communities. With the development of urbanization, the habitats and food resources of tree sparrows are likely to decrease. Can the urban tree sparrow adapt to changes in the urban environment? To answer this question, we studied the habitat use of tree sparrows in eight types of urban areas in Beijing. The results showed that the number of both breeding and wintering tree sparrows decreases with increasing urbanization. The habitat use of tree sparrows, analyzed by discriminant analysis, was positively correlated with the number of brick bungalows, coniferous and broad-leaved trees, and air conditioners, whereas it was negatively correlated with the area of high buildings and hardened roads, and people and automobile flux. This indicates that the tree sparrow is not adaptable to rapid urbanization, although in general it is an adaptable species. Urban planning should take into consideration birds such as tree sparrows.

Key words: Wuliangsuhai Lake, planktonic bacteria, community composition, RFLP, phylogenetic analysis