Urban Parks Act as Refuges for Avian Biodiversity in Chaoyang District, Beijing (China)

With the rapid expansion of urban areas, city parks play a vital role in sustaining biodiversity, particularly for birds. In this study, we examined bird species richness, seasonal dynamics, and habitat associations in four urban parks within Beijing's Chaoyang District (China): Olympic Forest Park, Chaoyang Park, Dongba Country Park, and Wenyu River Park. We carried out standardised point count surveys across 40 randomly selected plots. We recorded a total of 68 bird species, with Wenyu River Park supporting the highest diversity, likely due to its extensive wetlands and complex habitat structure. Seasonal changes in richness were most pronounced during the spring and fall migrations. We found that the wetland habitats were particularly important for several species, including the endangered Anser cygnoides and the threatened Acrocephalus tangorum. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed significant differences in bird community composition among the parks. Our findings underscore the vital role of urban greenspaces in maintaining both resident and migratory avian diversity. We recommend that urban planning prioritize the preservation and strategic management of wetlands and other heterogeneous habitats to safeguard biodiversity within urban landscapes.