Aves da área urbana e periurbana no município de Realeza - PR.

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is recognized as one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world and harbors a rich and highly endemic avifauna, with species that play essential ecological roles and are sensitive to habitat alterations. This sensitivity makes birds excellent bioindicators of environmental quality, especially in landscapes under intense anthropogenic pressure, such as urban and peri-urban areas. Within this context, the municipality of Realeza (PR), located in the Atlantic Forest biome, presents a territorial configuration that combines expanding urban areas and peri-urban zones with remnants of native vegetation, making it a suitable setting for ecological studies. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize and compare bird species richness and abundance between urban and peri-urban areas in Realeza, Paraná, and to assess the influence of tree cover on the local bird community. Ten fixed points (five in each environment) were sampled through direct visual observations and photographic records, carried out over ten non-consecutive days during the summer of 2025, in January and February. Each point was observed for 15 minutes per day, with alternating time slots. Tree cover was estimated using satellite imagery in QGIS software, within a 50-meter radius around each point, and the resulting values were used as predictor variables in generalized linear models (GLMs). Species richness and sampling sufficiency were evaluated using the Chao1 estimator. In total, 1,438 individuals were recorded, distributed across 39 species in the peri-urban area and 36 in the urban area. Despite the slight numerical difference in species count, statistical models indicated that neither the environment type nor tree cover significantly influenced species richness or abundance. The similarity between areas may be related to the short distance between sampling points, ecological connectivity, and the presence of generalist species adaptable to different environments. The results contribute to the understanding of regional bird diversity and reinforce the importance of long-term studies for better understanding the effects of urbanization on avian biodiversity in the municipality.