More parks and green spaces in urban areas equals more bird species

 Northern flicker

A 2003 study published in Conservation Ecology has determined that more bird species are found in urban areas with parks and natural features than in more densely developed areas. The study by Melles, Glenn and Martin collected data at 285 stations in Vancouver and Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The authors counted the number of bird species present and noted the types of land uses around their sampling sites. In particular, they found that certain landscape features such as freshwater streams, large trees, and berry producing shrubs were correlated with the number of bird species. They conclude that parks and green areas should be integrated into city planning and development to enhance bird diversity. Housing developments adjacent green reserves should “minimize impervious surface cover (concrete, roofs and asphalt), minimize house size, maintain native tree cover and berry shrubs, integrate new ponds, and maintain and develop natural freshwater sources into planning designs.”