Assessing the persistence of Blacksmith Lapwings (Vanellus armatus) and Crowned Lapwings (Vanellus coronatus) in an urban area, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
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Abstract
Urbanisation generally threatens biodiversity and causes shifts in species assemblages. Despite this, many species persist in urban areas. Species with broader tolerance generally show improved persistence. The capacity of species to survive in extreme physical changes along the urban-rural gradient varies greatly as their responses mainly depend on their specific ecological traits such as body mass, dietary niche, migratory strategy, habitat affinity, and behavioural plasticity. Little is documented on ground-nesting birds in urban areas. Lapwings are ground-nesting birds that appear to be persisting in urban landscape mosaics in South Africa. The persistence of Blacksmith (Vanellus armatus) and Crowned Lapwings (V. coronatus) in selected metropolitan areas of KwaZulu-Natal was assessed. Information about their occurrence, habitat use, distribution, and behaviour in urban mosaic landscapes was investigated by conducting monthly surveys and observations and with citizen science feedback. During the breeding season, the influence of anthropogenic activities and different land uses on the nesting ecology of lapwings breeding in the urban mosaic landscape of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, was determined. Blacksmith Lapwings' presence in the urban mosaic landscape depended on water availability, temperature, habitat type, resource availability, and grass height. Both lapwing species required short grasslands in urban mosaic landscapes and nested in pairs in open areas. At certain times of the year, they congregated in single species flocks in some regions of the urban mosaic landscape, particularly open green spaces, for feeding and socialising. Despite all the anthropogenic factors affecting ground nesting birds in urban mosaic landscapes, lapwings show behavioural plasticity and use natural and managed green spaces for their persistence here. Bridging the gap between urban development and conservation practices is crucial in creating environments that can support the needs of humans and wildlife in mosaic urban landscapes.
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Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.