Exploring Bird Diversity with Urban Trees

About the Project

Urbanization is driving diversity loss through the destruction and removal of the natural environment. Urban areas are also habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species. For example, cities harbor at least 20% of all known bird species (Aronson et al., 2014). However, many bird species commonly found in California have suffered steep population declines, as much as 96%, due in large part to diminishing tree habitats (Williams, 2007). Fortunately, there is an increasing public demand for eco-friendly urban planning in the form of street trees. Successfully understanding the relationship between urban trees and birds will yield insights for better incorporating trees into urban planning throughout California.