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Cardilini et al. (2013) Surviving in sprawling suburbs: Suburban environments represent high quality breeding habitat for a widespread shorebird. Landscape & Urban Planning 115: 72-80.
As urbanization across the United States has rapidly increased,
researchers have begun paying greater attention to urban impacts on the
environment. One such research study, carried out in 2010 on Phillip Island in
South Victoria, Australia, compared the reproductive success in suburban and
agricultural habitats of an avian species, the Lapwing, which has been proven
to be able to live in both suburban and agricultural environments. Researchers Adam P.A. Cardilini, Michael A. Westona, Dale G. Nimmoa,
Peter Dannb, and Craig D.H. Shermanc sought to investigate the correlation
between increasing urbanization and decreased biodiversity, using the Lapwing
as their species of study. In this
study, the Australian-located researchers looked at nest characteristics,
incubation and brood attendance, parental defense, and fledgling success to
assess the reproductive survival rates of Lapwings in suburban versus
agricultural habitats. Two predictions were made entering into the study.
Prediction number one stated that the quality of parental care would be higher
in an agricultural habitat than a suburban habitat. Prediction number two
stated reproductive success would be higher in agricultural habitats than in
suburban habitats.
