Urbanization Level and Woodland Size Are Major Drivers of Woodpecker Species Richness and Abundance

摘要: Urbanization is a process globally responsible for loss of biodiversity and biological homogenization. may have direct negative impact on species behaviour indirect effects populations through alterations their habitats, example patch size habitat quality. Woodpeckers are potentially susceptible to urbanization. These birds mostly forest specialists the development urban areas in former forests be an important factor influencing richness abundance, but documented examples rare. In this study we investigated how woodpeckers responded changes habitats as consequence urbanization, namely isolation patches, other within-patch characteristics. We selected 42 woodland patches gradient from semi-natural rural landscape city centre Poznan (Western Poland) spring 2010. Both abundance correlated positively area negatively increasing Abundance was also with shrub cover percentage deciduous tree species. Furthermore, were highest at moderate values canopy openness. Ordination analyses confirmed that urbanization level variables contributing most woodpecker community. Similar results obtained presence-absence models particular Thus, sustain within cities it keep large, multi-layered rich