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Effects of spatial fragmentation on the elevational distribution of bird diversity in a typical modern mountain
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  • Wei Liu,
  • Haigen Xu,
  • Xiufen Li,
  • Dandan Yu,
  • Jianfeng Yi
Wei Liu
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Haigen Xu
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection of China
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Xiufen Li
Taian Taishan Mountain Beauty Spot Management Committee
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Dandan Yu
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences
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Jianfeng Yi
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences
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Abstract

The biodiversity in mountainous ecosystems is high but is threatened by rapid environmental change. Urbanization and other anthropogenic factors in the mountains surrounding cities can affect land use and spatial fragmentation. Moreover, patterns of habitat are closely related to elevation and have a major effect on montane biodiversity. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of spatial fragmentation on the vertical distribution pattern of bird diversity by characterizing the structure of the bird community, species diversity, and landscape factors at different altitudes. From 2016 to 2019, this study made a four-years continuous monitoring of the breeding biric belts. The result indicated Mount Tai harbored a high bird diversity. Bird richness, abundance and Shannon-Wiener index decreased with latitude in Mount Tai. Moreover, the composition of bird communities varied along altitudinal gradients and supported some special species in different elevational bands. Road density, number of habitat patches, patch density, and the percentage of forest significantly affected bird diversity. The effect of patch density was higher compared with other landscape factors. Sufficient habitat and more patches in the low-mountain belt supported higher bird diversity. The middle-mountain belt and high-mountain belt showed contrasting patterns. Our results highlight the effects of ongoing urbanization and human activities on montane biodiversity and emphasize the need for artificial habitats in the mountains surrounding cities to be managed.
10 Jan 2022Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
10 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
10 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
17 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
07 May 20221st Revision Received
07 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
07 May 2022Assigned to Editor
07 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 May 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Accept