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Detecting changes induced by industrialization on bird communities: a before–after comparison using diversity/dominance curves

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Abstract

To detect stress affecting bird communities after the construction of an industrial area (Carnia, North-eastern Italy), a before (2004)-after (2014) comparison has been performed, using the diversity/dominance (or ‘stress’) curves. We observed a marked decrease in number of species (31 vs. 20), in pair densities (292 vs. 120) and in Shannon diversity index (2.97 vs. 2.56), with an increase in dominance concentration index (Simpson: 0.04 vs. 0.06). Although, at singles species level, only Lanius collurio showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05), the change in slope of the ‘stress curves’ makes explicit the disruption in general pattern of frequencies, with an increase of generalist/edge species and the disappearance of forest-interior and agro-mosaic sensitive species. ‘Stress curves’ appeared a useful tool to detect the effects of change in land use due to industrialization at community level. We stimulate community ecologists to apply more frequently this analysis to detect the effects of anthropogenic threats on animal communities.

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Acknowledgements

Two anonymous reviewers and Editors provided useful comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Via Udine, 9, 33028, Tolmezzo, Italy

    Gianluca Rassati

  2. Torre Flavia LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Protected Area Service, Città Metropolitana di Roma, Viale G. Ribotta 41/43, 00144, Rome, Italy

    Corrado Battisti

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  1. Gianluca Rassati
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  2. Corrado Battisti
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Correspondence to Corrado Battisti.

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Rassati, G., Battisti, C. Detecting changes induced by industrialization on bird communities: a before–after comparison using diversity/dominance curves. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY 24, 127–131 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42974-023-00135-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42974-023-00135-9

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