Home > Services:Expertise > Terrestrial Resources >

Birds as Indicators of Environmental Health

Birds are good indicators of the condition of the environment because they respond to environmental change, are relatively numerous and are easy to count. While birds are found in many habitats, different species or groups of species may have strong associations with particular habitats. Thus behavioral changes, shifts in habitat use or changes in local populations can indicate changes in a regional environment.

Scales of measurement range from region-wide population trends to specifics such as breeding success in successive years. Region-wide trends are ascertained by techniques like breeding bird surveys and migration counts.

Background

AXYS is known for its combination of research and communication expertise. We collect field data with the most recent technology, analyze it, and convert the data into practical information for management use.

Our goal is to supply leading edge knowledge of bird habitat use and behavior and to develop practical solutions to resource management issues. Our ecological professionals in combination with a variety of birding specialists offer expert services in relating bird habitat use to environmental impact assessment.

Services

• Development of wildlife and plant diversity assessments
• Inventories for forest, oil and gas companies, and a variety of other institutions whose activities may have an effect on birds and bird habitat
• Application of bird survey techniques for a variety of research and assessment objectives
• Development and implementation of habitat management and habitat enhancement plans, including integration with forest harvesting and landscape management activities

Selected Experience

• Development of forest management planning methodology using birds as a measure of animal diversity on forest lands
• Training and management of personnel for a study of woodpeckers and nest sites. Results were used to improve wildlife tree management on a forest license in coastal B.C.
• Surveys of birds of prey and their nest sites in the Northwest Territories to determine potential impacts associated with oil and gas projects and mining
• Assessments of songbird use of areas slated for oil and gas development. The studies were conducted to determine if threatened birds or bird habitats were at risk
• Surveys of game birds as part of an assessment of socio-economic values
• Habitat inventories for hawks, owls and songbirds. Information was used to guide development plans for an urban, as well as several recreational developments
• Developed and conducted the B.C. survey standards training course for hawks and owls
• Identification of areas suitable for ecotourism using birds as target species