bibliography: Homel, K. 2017. Factors influencing dissimilarity among wetland bird communities in Minsk. Proceedings of the National Museum of Natural History. Vol. 15: 115–126.

doi: http://doi.org/10.15407/vnm.2017.15.115

author(s): K. Homel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2396-1387

affiliation: State Research and Production Association Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources, NAS of Belarus (Minsk, Republic of Belarus)

address: State Research and Production Association Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus; Academic St. 27, Minsk, 220072 Republic of Belarus; e-mail: ural-science@yandex.by

Summary:
The ordination method (canonical-correlation analysis done in CAP) was used to estimate the influence of water bodies’ morphometric properties (area, shape) on the dissimilarity among wetland bird communities. The method was also applied to estimate the influence of such properties on the level of overgrowth of riparian and aquatic vegetation, also on the habitat diversity, and the level of anthropogenic pressure affecting the littoral and riparian zones of water bodies within Minsk city. The research was conducted in summer (June–July) during 2011–2013. The Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index was used to measure the differences among the studied bird communities. It was established that wetland bird communities inhabiting the studied water bodies within the city differ reliably. It was shown that all species included into the research (Anas platyrhynchos, Aythya ferina, Aythya fuligula, Cygnus olor, Fulica atra, Larus argentatus/cachinnans, Larus canus, Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Podiceps cristatus, Sterna hirundo) contribute to the communities’ separation by the impact of the selected factors. Factors influencing the distribution of the discussed species in water bodies of Minsk were determined, and the most favorable water bodies were indicated as well.

Keywords:
wetland bird communities, urbanized landscape, environmental factors, ordination, Belarus, Minsk.

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