Achieving bird-friendly cities: lessons from five years of empirical studies in Santiago de Chile

Abstract

Urbanization causes a strong environmental impact involving habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation for multiple species. Because in Latin America urbanization commonly occurs in sites of high value for biodiversity, it is necessary to develop strategies to conserve biological communities in urban landscapes. In this paper, we summarize the main lessons learned in five years of empirical studies in the city of Santiago, capital of Chile, highlighting the main lessons to promote a city more sensitive with native birds. Our research shows that: (1) vegetation cover promotes greater species richness and abundance of native birds, and its benefits are evident at both local and landscape scales; (2) the urban forest is a key component to maintain native birds in the city which has positive effects on birds from different trophic guilds and limit the abundance of exotic birds Passer domesticus and Columba livia; (3) urban parks support more native birds than built-up areas and their benefits would spill over into neighboring areas; (4) the informal green space (vacant lots, uncultivated or abandoned land) maintains a great variety of native birds, including species that are not common in the city; and (5) it is important to preserve the natural vegetation around Santiago, since it is home to bird species endemic to Chile that are sensitive to land use change. We hope this synthesis will facilitate the implementation of our recommendations and, in the near future, we achieve more nature-friendly cities in Latin America.