What birds are found at the edge of a suburban forest? A case study around the Mata de Santa Genebra, Campinas, São Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Urban development and deforestation have had a profound impact on ecosystems, resulting in fragmented landscapes and a decline in biodiversity. The Mata de Santa Genebra (MSG) in Campinas, São Paulo state, Brazil, exemplifies these challenges, serving as one of the last significant remnants of the Atlantic Forest in the region. This study investigates the avian diversity within MSG, focusing on bird species richness and their habits in this isolated forest fragment. Over 242 hours of observation, from December 2012 to November 2013, 181 bird species were recorded, which is 20.97% of the bird species in São Paulo and 47.75% in Campinas. This finding highlights the importance of MSG as a refuge for avifauna, despite its small size and isolation. The study reveals a dominance of open areas dwellers due to the fragment’s configuration and edge effects exacerbated by urban encroachment. Our observations include the presence of a hybrid manakin (Pipridae) and potential instances of local extinction, colonization and/or recolonization, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring. The forest edges, especially the wetlands at MSG provide critical resources for various bird species, underscoring the need to conserve these areas to maintain local biodiversity and ecosystem services. The results highlight the importance of habitat restoration, ecological corridors, and protection from anthropogenic pressures to ensure the preservation of bird diversity and ecological balance in fragmented landscapes.