The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Urbanization: Response of a Bird Community in the Neotropical Andes

Urbanization constitutes one of the most aggressive drivers habitat and biodiversity loss worldwide. However, studies focused on determining response local to urbanization are still scarce, especially in tropical ecosystems. Urban ecosystems characterized by low biological productivity which turn leads a reduction biodiversity. responses should be species dependent. For instance, changes availability resources can favor certain with specific characteristics. We assessed effects process bird community city located Tropical Andes southern Ecuador, region widely recognized for its diversity endemism birds. selected three independent localities each four levels gradient study area (forest, forest-pasture, pasture, urban). In locality, we sampled visual auditory surveys along 1 km transects between 2016 2017. recorded total 1,257 individuals belonging 74 species. evaluated if richness abundance birds dependent trophic guild foraging strata. found significant decrease from forest urban sites. was Granivorous showed positive associated while insectivorous negative response. Insectivorous were more abundant sites decreased across gradient. that proportion using different strata drastically changed Forest exhibited variety habitats, but became simpler toward urbanized Our findings communities. The ugly: dramatic birds, is consistent cities characteristics ecological contexts. On other hand, guilds Some positively impacted show increases negatively impacted.