Structure, diversity and conservation value of a breeding bird assemblage of a portion of the campus of Technical University in Zvolen (Slovakia)

• Main Author: Martin Korňan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Czech; English; Slovak
• Published: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Forest Ecology 2023
• Subjects: bird community; diversity; mapping method; population density; species richness; structure; Zoology; QL1-991; Apus apus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.31577/tichodroma.2023.35.2; https://doaj.org/article/0bd0a7d361254bbcb6a96fd226dfca61

University campuses are important source of knowledge in area of urban biology and ecology. They harbour relatively high biodiversity including rare and endangered species in urban ecosystem and function as biocentres. The main objective of this study was to describe species composition, density, dominance, biodiversity and conservation value of a breeding bird assemblage of the campus of Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia. The combined version of the mapping method was applied for estimating population abundances within 8.95 ha census plot in the campus in the years 2014–2015. In total, 41 bird species were observed in the census plot, out of which 30 were breeders. Seven dominant (≥ 5%) breeders were observed: Streptopelia decaocto (14.0%), Fringilla coelebs (8.2%), Turdus pilaris (7.7%), Turdus merula (7.7%), Passer domesticus (6.8%), Sturnus vulgaris (6.5%) and Serinus serinus (6.4%). The total breeding assemblage bird density ranged between 100.0–114.0 0 pairs/10 ha in individual years. Randomized individual-based (pairs) rarefaction of four diversity metrics (species richness, Chao 1 estimator, Shannon and Simpson index) did not detect significant differences in biodiversity of the breeding bird assemblage between years. Based on current legislation conservation list and Slovak red list, Ficedula albicollis as a European importance species and Apus apus and Delichon urbicum as near threatened species were detected in the plot. Relatively high breeding bird diversity and presence of conservation importance species in this small campus underlines its value as biocentre in the Town of Zvolen. Creating more green areas preferably from native plants and supporting nesting of birds could even increase diversity in this green university. This will g