ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of urbanization and elevation on avian diversity across three university campuses in the Philippines. Urbanization, a significant driver of global environmental change, negatively affects biodiversity by altering natural habitats. Birds, frequently used as bioindicators, are vital subjects for studying urban impacts due to their visibility and sensitivity to environmental changes. This research compares the abundance of bird families across campuses at different elevations, revealing significant variations influenced by urban structure, vegetation, and resource availability. Line transect, point count, and mist-netting methods were employed to survey the birds in the study area following established methods. The family Pycnonotidae is most abundant in the low-elevation urban campus (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines - Cagayan de Oro), while families like Nectariniidae and Cuculidae are more prevalent in the high-elevation campus (USTPClaveria). These findings underscore the importance of habitat diversity and resource availability in supporting avian communities. The study highlights the potential of urbanized university campuses to serve as refuges for biodiversity if managed appropriately. Enhancing habitat complexity, maintaining green spaces, and ensuring diverse food resources are crucial for sustaining bird populations. The results emphasize the need for targeted conservation efforts within urban campuses to preserve and promote avian diversity in increasingly urbanized landscapes.
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