Dataset : Predicting avian diversity based on land use and cover on a national scale

This study explores the relationship between landscape elements and avian diversity in South Korea, examining both taxonomic and functional diversity. The Korean Peninsula serves as a pivotal habitat for resident bird species and a migratory pathway in the East Asia-Pacific flyway. Using a national dataset compiled at a scale of 2’30” × 2’30” blocks of angular measurements (each side ranging approximately 3.5-4.5 kilometers), we found that less urbanized open plains exhibit higher taxonomic diversity, while coastal regions with diverse water bird populations show higher functional diversity. These findings underscore the significance of conserving the existing land types and qualities in specific regions to substantially impact bird distribution and regional biodiversity. Remarkably, closed forests display diversity patterns akin to urban/built-up areas, despite their disparate land use characteristics. The stability of bird diversity indices across different land use types enables us to predict bird diversity indices based on the particular land use and land cover configurations. This study emphasizes the complementary nature of functional biodiversity indices in comprehending bird distribution patterns alongside taxonomic diversity indices.

本研究聚焦韩国境内景观要素与鸟类多样性的关联，同时从分类多样性（taxonomic diversity）与功能多样性（functional diversity）两个维度展开分析。朝鲜半岛作为留鸟种群的关键栖息生境，同时亦是东亚-澳大利西亚迁飞通道（East Asia-Pacific flyway）的重要迁徙路径。本研究采用一套基于2′30″×2′30″角量格网（单格网边长约3.5至4.5千米）构建的国家级数据集，分析结果显示：低城市化程度的开阔平原拥有更高的分类多样性，而水鸟种群丰富的沿海区域则具备更高的功能多样性。本研究结果凸显了保护特定区域现有土地类型与质量的重要性，这将对鸟类分布及区域生物多样性产生显著影响。值得注意的是，尽管郁闭林与城镇/建成区的土地利用（land use）特征差异显著，但其多样性分布模式却与城镇/建成区高度相似。不同土地利用类型下鸟类多样性指数的稳定性，使得我们可基于特定的土地利用与土地覆被（land cover）格局预测鸟类多样性指数。本研究强调，在结合分类多样性指数解析鸟类分布格局时，功能生物多样性（functional biodiversity）指数具备不可替代的补充价值。