What’s New? An Updated Review of Avian Ecology in Urban Latin America

Abstract

Among human activities, urbanization represents one of the most worrisome for biodiversity due to the intensity and long-term effects in the place where a city develops, as well as their indirect effect in its area of influence. Birds are one of the most studied groups to assess the impacts that urbanization has on biodiversity, but there is a lag in the knowledge of highly biodiverse regions like Latin America. This region is the most diverse in avian species, but at the same time is one of the most affected by poverty, social inequality, and population growth, representing a priority for studying urban bird responses to urbanization. In this chapter, we compare results of studies of urban birds in Latin American cities published in recent years with an earlier regional review. We found more than one-third of publications in the last six years than in the previous 35 years; however, there is still a bias in the knowledge toward most populated countries, while urban Central America remains understudied. Although there is a lack of information on the mechanistic processes molding urban avian communities, there are important advances in ecological topics, as novel resource use, urban noise, and urban avian diseases. We urge scientists of Latin American latitudes to join efforts in the understanding of avian communities in urban areas. Results of evidence-based studies ought to be communicated to decision-makers to generate strategies that improve urban management and planning.

Appendix 2.1 List of Retrieved Publications in the Search that Were Not Cited in the Chapter

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