Do changes in food and predation make the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) a winner in urban environments?

食物和捕食的变化是否使北方知更鸟（Mimus polyglottos）成为城市环境中的胜利者？

• 批准号: 0709646
• 负责人: Scott Robinson
• 金额: $ 1.2万
• 依托单位: University of Florida
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-06-01 至 2008-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0709646&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Do; changes; food; predation; make

Urbanization is a leading cause of species endangerment in the US. Some species, however, thrive in urban habitats. Understanding what factors in the urban environment allow these urban winners to be successful is critical in understanding effects of urbanization on wildlife. The proposed research will address factors allowing one such species, the Northern Mockingbird, to reach high abundance in urban areas relative to non-urban areas. Nest predation rates of mockingbirds from 2005-2006 demonstrate reduced nest predation in urban areas, despite higher abundance of avian nest predators (crows, blackbirds, jays) and at least some mammals (cats, raccoons). This research will address this 'predator paradox' by quantifying predation rates from different groups of predators in urban and non-urban habitats using surveillance cameras on nests. Knowing how predator communities change in urban areas will allow researchers to make predictions about how other species will respond to urbanization. To study mockingbirds in neighborhoods and parking lots, the permission of many property owners is obtained by going door-to-door. Interactions with citizens raise their awareness of wildlife and foster a connection with nature. This connection is necessary to succeed in conserving biodiversity in both urban areas and far-away pristine habitats. The PI's will also develop lesson plans with undergraduate education majors that expose middle school students to science and wildlife. Raising awareness of citizens about the nature that surrounds them in parking lots and backyards is a first step in bringing science and an appreciation for nature to everyone.

城市化是美国物种濒危的主要原因。 然而，有些物种在城市栖息地茁壮成长。 了解城市环境中的哪些因素使这些城市赢家获得成功，对于了解城市化对野生动物的影响至关重要。拟议的研究将解决允许这样一个物种，北方知更鸟，达到高丰度在城市地区相对于非城市地区的因素。 2005-2006年模拟鸟的巢捕食率表明减少巢捕食在城市地区，尽管更高丰度的鸟类巢捕食者（乌鸦，黑鸟，松鸦）和至少一些哺乳动物（猫，浣熊）。 这项研究将解决这个“捕食者悖论”的定量捕食率从不同群体的捕食者在城市和非城市栖息地使用监控摄像头的巢。 了解捕食者群落在城市地区的变化将使研究人员能够预测其他物种将如何应对城市化。为了研究社区和停车场的模仿鸟，许多业主的许可是通过挨家挨户的访问获得的。 与公民的互动提高了他们对野生动物的认识，并促进了与自然的联系。 这种联系对于成功地保护城市地区和遥远的原始生境的生物多样性是必要的。 PI还将与本科教育专业一起制定课程计划，让中学生接触科学和野生动物。 提高公民对停车场和后院周围自然的认识是将科学和对自然的欣赏带给每个人的第一步。