Author(s): Ellie Horrocks, Charley Beck
Mentor(s): Geoffrey D. Smith
Institution UTech
Cemeteries are unique habitats that tend to be quieter and have less human activity than other green urban areas. They often have valuable habitat characteristics for wildlife, such as mature trees, open grassy areas, and a mix of both native and non-native vegetation that provides a different source of food and nesting sites than other areas. This study investigated avian species richness across 12 cemeteries in southern Utah, focusing on how environmental factors influence bird populations and diversity. We focused on noise, temperature, time of year, time of day, and proximity to perennial water sources to determine the most crucial factors influencing richness and activity. Additionally, we used two methods of bird survey (visual and acoustic) to assess the effect of intrinsic (species/behavior) and extrinsic (noise/limited visibility) factors on bird observations. Some species were more likely to be seen than heard, indicating survey method is an important choice when planning similar studies. The final results demonstrated a correlation between heat and species richness, stating that the hotter areas tend to support fewer avian species. This suggests the potential impact climate can have on avian species richness, especially hotter temperatures that can potentially limit avian populations. Additionally, proximity to perennial water sources was found to positively influence species richness, showing that closer water sources often lead to an increase in species richness. These findings conclude that water accessibility and temperature can be an important indicator of healthy avian species richness. This suggests that hotter, dryer conditions can lead to a decrease in species’ richness.