Publication Date
2026
Presentation Length
Poster/Gallery presentation
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Biology, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Darlene Panvini
Presentation Type
Poster
Summary
Avian communities play an essential role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem dynamic by regulating insect populations, assisting in plant pollination, and seed dispersal. These contribute to the overall health of natural ecosystems and mitigate ecological disruptions that would arise in their absence. However, the introduction of non-native invasive plant species can interrupt the balance avian communities bring to ecosystems by reducing availability of food sources, altering habitat structures, increasing competition among individuals, and disrupting ecological relationships through rapid invasion of ecological spaces. Point count observations of birds at Shelby Bottoms Park, Nashville, Tennessee in areas dominated by non-native privet and honeysuckle were compared to observations of native wooded areas in February-April 2026. Birds were identified by sight and sound using the Merlin app. Coverboards were placed in each habitat type to compare insect abundance to determine if that is correlated to avian occurrence. Understanding these impacts empowers communities to protect biodiversity, improve ecosystem health, and make practical decisions that benefit both people and wildlife surrounding them.
Recommended Citation
Mackay, Matty John; Dang, Steven Van; and Corn, Brandon Lee, "Impacts of Native and Nonnative Plant Species on Avian Community Diversity" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 1139.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/1139
Included in
Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Forest Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Population Biology Commons
