Beyond birds’ conservation: Engaging communities for the conservation of urban green spaces

Abstract

Urban green spaces are important for bird conservation, functioning as a buffer against the impacts of human actions on their surroundings. However, green spaces also provide several benefits to humans, such as the improvement of climatic conditions and a more intimate contact with nature. In this point of view, divided into three sections, we describe how ornithological research in a peri-urban vegetation patch in a tropical metropolis culminated in an environmental protection movement. This vegetation patch is composed of a mosaic of typical phytophysiognomies of the transition zone between two biodiversity hotspots: Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. Its vegetation presents characteristics that indicate high degradation, but the region still harbors 108 bird species (including threatened and endemic species), suggesting that even under intense impacts, the area presents characteristics of resilience to shelter the local biodiversity. Given these findings, we discuss the potential of this urban green space for scientific research, environmental education, and birdwatching. We highlight the possibility of influencing community engagement in the conservation of the area, whether for the preservation of charismatic species or for leisure and educational activities. Reducing the gap between academia and society can assist in the conservation of urban green spaces, especially in a region that presents high social environmental vulnerability.