Forums | HES 健康与环境科学

24 November 2023, 11:43 AM

Speaker: Sihao Chen

Date: 2023-11-29

Time: 13:30-14:00 pm

Room: ES354

Online link:

https://meeting.tencent.com/dm/cHLE02oBtSPP

Meeting ID: 664-4757-0489

Title: Direct and indirect effects of environmental factors and food resources on breeding fitness of an avian species across an urban landscape

Abstract:

Human disturbances, such as land-use change, urban heat island, noise pollution and artificial light at night are often considered uniformly negative influences on wildlife in urban areas. However, few studies evaluated how the effects of these disturbances (i.e., environmental factors) on avian species vary in direction and magnitude. Here, we assessed the direct and indirect effects of these environmental factors on the breeding fitness of the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica in Suzhou China. Structural equation modelling results indicated that the urban heat island effect directly advanced laying date. Land-use change and artificial light negatively effected food resources. But because more food resources delayed laying dates, these factors indirectly advanced laying dates. We also found a negative direct effect of artificial light at night on the number of fledglings. Our results demonstrate how interrelated components of an urban landscape can vary and produce mixed effects on biodiversity.