Native Birds in Changing Landscapes: The Role of Novel Ecosystems
As landscapes change due to urbanization, agriculture, and climate shifts, traditional ecosystems are increasingly disrupted. In their place, novel ecosystems—habitats formed through human influence and species introductions—are emerging. While often seen as ecologically degraded, these new environments may unexpectedly support certain native wildlife.
For birds, in particular, novel ecosystems can offer food resources, nesting sites, and shelter that were once scarce.
According to researchers, "ecosystems", which have been replaced by human activities, can provide suitable housing for native birds. Some native birds are sensitive to the novel ecosystem, while others do not seem to mind.
Novel ecosystem avoiders are native wild animals that do not use new ecosystems, although they may be present in historical habitats in the matrix surrounding these new habitats.
Understanding whether and how native birds utilize these altered habitats is crucial for conservation planning. Exploring this dynamic challenges us to rethink habitat value beyond pristine environments, revealing surprising opportunities for wildlife persistence.
Explore how novel ecosystems influence native birds, providing food, shelter, and nesting opportunities, and what this means for conservation strategies.
How Do Novel Ecosystems Support Native Bird Populations?
In today’s rapidly changing world, ecosystems are being transformed at an unprecedented pace due to urbanization, agriculture, and human intervention. These altered habitats, often referred to as "novel ecosystems," differ significantly from their historical counterparts.
Initially, ecologists regarded them as degraded or ecologically inferior. However, emerging research now shows that many native bird species are not only surviving but thriving in these environments.
Novel ecosystems can provide valuable resources such as food, nesting sites, and shelter, creating unexpected opportunities for biodiversity conservation.
A striking example comes from the Zumwalt Prairie in northeastern Oregon, USA. Historically dominated by native bunchgrass species, this prairie experienced significant ecological changes after European settlement.
Non-native grasses were introduced to support grazing and cultivation, and while the landscape was altered, many ground-nesting birds, including the Western Meadowlark and Savannah Sparrow, continued to breed successfully.
Researchers observed that birds were nesting in both native and non-native vegetation, classifying them as "novel ecosystem users."
The Savannah Sparrow, however, showed some sensitivity to non-native plants, highlighting that while many species can adapt, not all respond positively to habitat changes.
These findings demonstrate that novel ecosystems can function as critical refuges for bird populations while also emphasizing the need for selective conservation practices.
Urban environments, too, provide compelling evidence of the role novel ecosystems can play.
In Perth, Australia, urban gardens have become important habitats for native birds.
Studies indicate that many species, such as the New Holland Honeyeater and Red Wattlebird, have adapted to non-native plants in these gardens, exploiting them for food and shelter. Only a few species remain sensitive to the presence of exotic flora. This suggests that even in densely built environments, careful management of green spaces can support urban biodiversity and create new opportunities for bird conservation.
India, with its rich biodiversity, offers examples of how novel ecosystems support native bird populations.
The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi is one such case. Once a degraded area, the sanctuary underwent ecological restoration that removed invasive species and reintroduced native flora.
Today, it sustains over 200 bird species, including endangered Indian Vultures and migratory Siberian Cranes.
The sanctuary demonstrates that novel ecosystems, even those modified by human activity, can become thriving habitats for birds when managed thoughtfully.
Urban biodiversity parks in India also highlight the importance of novel ecosystems.
The Noida Biodiversity Park, developed on 110 acres in Sector 91, transformed from a recreational space with eucalyptus monoculture into a biodiverse sanctuary. Designed to emulate the Yamuna floodplain ecosystem, the park now hosts over 150 bird species, including paradise flycatchers, rain quails, and thick-billed flowerpeckers. This transformation illustrates how urban landscapes, when thoughtfully designed, can serve as valuable novel ecosystems that support native birds.
Between 2016 and 2021, the number of recorded bird species on corporate and urban green campuses, like TCS campuses in India, increased from 43 to 75, demonstrating the potential of human-managed novel ecosystems for conservation.
The benefits of novel ecosystems for birds are manifold. Non-native plants can provide essential food resources and nesting opportunities, especially in landscapes where native flora is limited.
By creating diverse habitats, these altered ecosystems open new ecological niches that can be exploited by adaptable species.
Birds capable of tolerating environmental changes often thrive in such conditions, contributing to urban and rural biodiversity.
For example, studies in Australia and the U.S. show that 60–70% of bird species observed in urban green spaces and modified prairies use non-native vegetation for nesting or foraging.
These findings suggest that novel ecosystems are not merely stopgap habitats but can actively sustain viable bird populations.
However, the use of novel ecosystems comes with limitations. Certain bird species, particularly specialists that rely on specific native plants or microhabitats, may not adapt successfully.
Long-term ecological effects of non-native species on bird populations are still being studied, and the balance between conservation and habitat alteration requires careful planning. In addition, while novel ecosystems provide valuable resources, they cannot fully replicate the ecological functions of untouched native habitats. Therefore, conservation strategies should combine protection of native habitats with thoughtful management of novel ecosystems to optimize biodiversity outcomes.
Globally, novel ecosystems are increasingly recognized as important components of conservation planning.
For instance, the Carnaby’s Cockatoo in Western Australia relies on fragmented landscapes with non-native vegetation for feeding, demonstrating that even threatened species can benefit from altered habitats.
Similarly, in Europe and North America, urban green corridors and parks have become refuges for migratory birds that are otherwise losing native habitats due to urban expansion and agricultural intensification.
In India, the integration of green infrastructure, such as rooftop gardens, urban wetlands, and biodiversity parks, creates a network of novel ecosystems that support both resident and migratory bird species.
The restoration of wetlands in Thane, Maharashtra, for example, has led to the return of over 120 bird species, including migratory waterfowl.
Similarly, the Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, a wetland ecosystem influenced by agricultural runoff, has recorded an increase in nesting success among native species, showing the adaptability of birds to human-altered habitats.
The concept of novel ecosystems challenges traditional conservation paradigms. Rather than solely focusing on restoring ecosystems to a historical baseline, conservationists are increasingly advocating for adaptive management strategies that embrace ecological change.
By recognizing the value of these human-influenced habitats, it is possible to maintain and even enhance native bird populations while balancing urban development and agricultural needs.
How Novel Ecosystems Support Some Native Birds: Insights from Global Research
Human activity has transformed ecosystems worldwide, but recent research shows that these “novel ecosystems” can still provide valuable habitats for certain native bird species.
Scientists report that while some birds are sensitive to altered environments, others adapt and thrive.
This does not mean habitat restoration is unnecessary or that all novel ecosystems are ideal. Instead, the findings highlight the importance of prioritizing restoration efforts and considering where human intervention can most effectively support wildlife.
Researchers compared bird populations in Oregon’s Zumwalt Prairie with human-designed public parks in Perth, Australia. In Zumwalt Prairie, native grasslands dominate, but non-native plants are also available for breeding. Historical land use, including grazing and small-scale farming, introduced non-native species, which now serve as habitat for many ground-nesting birds.
Most bird species successfully nested in both native and non-native plants, classified as “novel ecosystem users,” while Savannah Sparrows avoided areas with non-native plants.
The study emphasizes that ecosystems like Zumwalt Prairie cannot fully return to their conditions from 250 years ago. Yet, non-native plants may provide resources or at least not hinder certain bird species.
In Perth, researchers observed that most garden birds, including Honeyeaters and Warbirds, were resilient to non-native plants, making them novel ecosystem users. Only a few species were sensitive to these changes.
Overall, the research underscores that even modified or “degraded” habitats can play a significant role in supporting native birds, offering new opportunities for urban and rural biodiversity conservation.
Conclusion
Novel ecosystems, though altered by human activities, are proving to be critical for sustaining native bird populations.
From prairies in Oregon and urban gardens in Perth to biodiversity parks and restored wetlands in India, research shows that birds are adaptable and capable of thriving in modified habitats.
Thoughtful management, species-specific strategies, and integration of novel ecosystems into broader conservation planning are essential to maximize their ecological value.
If we embrace these changes and leverage the opportunities they provide, we can ensure that native birds continue to flourish even in a human-dominated world.
Article updated on 23 August 2025.