Impacts of Traffic Infrastructure on Urban Bird Communities: A Review

Abstract

With increasing urbanization and related loss of biodiversity, it has become increasingly important to understand the determinants of biodiversity in cities, and to learn how we can maintain existing habitats and improve their quality for both wildlife and humans. Detrimental effects of urbanization on animals such as noise and light pollution, have frequently been reported, but comparatively little is known about the connection between different types of traffic infrastructure and their impacts on urban birds. Here, we provide an overview of the existing knowledge about bird responses to traffic-related stressors, and most importantly, we highlight that this aspect has not been satisfactorily investigated in urban environments. Therefore, we suggest suitable study systems and designs with which the effects of traffic infrastructure on bird communities in cities could be studied, and how biodiversity, in tandem with human wellbeing, in cities would benefit from improvements to the existing infrastructures. In doing so, we aim to strengthen the connection between human wellbeing and birds through research that will ultimately facilitate the development of sustainable cities.