Urban Avifaunal Diversity: An Indicator of Anthropogenic Pressures in Northwestern Metropolitan Atlanta

Running Head: URBAN AVIFAUNAL DIVERRSITY: AN INDICATOR OF ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURES IN NORTHWESTERN METROPOLITAN ATLANTA

Urban Avifaunal Diversity: An Indicator of AnthropogenicPressures in Northwestern Metropolitan Atlanta

Research Paper

Submitted to Kennesaw Mountain High School

by

LEILANI GANSER

URBAN AVIFAUNAL DIVERRSITY: AN INDICATOR OF ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURES IN NORTHWESTERN METROPOLITAN ATLANTA

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Kennesaw, GADecember 2014


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Abstract

The study of biodiversity is integral to understanding the health

of an ecosystem. In order to assess the health of the Kennesaw

Mountain National Battlefield Park bird population, a correlative

study was devised which monitored historic indices of avifaunal

diversity at the park and compared the data to metrics of

urbanization in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area including measures

of impermeable surfaces and motor vehicle registration. The key

populations studied were the birds of Kennesaw Mountain National

Battlefield Park and the infrastructure of the Atlanta

Metropolitan Area. The research question could not be answered

due to issues in prior data collection, but the biodiversity

index performed suggested that the park’s bird population was

unhealthy, scoring a 0.446 out of 1 while a healthy forest will

typically score within the 0.7-0.8 range. The data also supports

the rapid urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area given

that centerline miles, impermeable surfaces, increased by 1.02%

while the number of registered motor vehicles increased by 3.02%.

It is recommended that further studies continue to assess the


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health of the bird population as well as any correlation between

the avifaunal biodiversity and urbanization. Given the results

of the experiment, it is recommended that the Atlanta city

planners implement sustainable growth models including but not

limited to transit oriented development.


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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Rangers Dulling, Corman, Dekoter,

Graham, and Winegar for their valued instruction and tireless

efforts throughout my internship. I have learned a great many

skills and had experiences that I will treasure for the rest of

my educational career. I would also like to thank Dr. Hunt and

Ms. Ingle for their sound advice and tutelage throughout this

semester. Special thanks to my family, my friends, and my

significant other for dealing with the unbearable person I became

towards the end of this remarkably arduous process. Your efforts

will not be forgotten. I would especially like to thank Mitchell

Johns for being such a great human being and all around cool guy.


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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction.........................................1Significance of the Study....................................3Definition of Key Terms......................................3Summary......................................................4

Chapter 2: Literature Review....................................4Summary......................................................8

Chapter 3: Research Method......................................8

Chapter 4: Findings............................................13Results.....................................................14Evaluation of Findings......................................17Summary.....................................................19

Chapter 5: Implications, Recommendations, and Conclusions......19Implications................................................20Recommendations.............................................21Conclusions.................................................22

Appendix A: Complete Biodiversity Data.........................26

Appendix B: Complete Urbanization Data.........................32

Appendix C: Maps...............................................34


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Chapter 1: Introduction

Birds play an integral role in the ecological health of an

ecosystem. Birds serve the ecosystem through pollination and

dispersal. Birds eat and disperse seeds and fruit throughout

their habitat providing an opportunity for genetic diversity of

flora. Wading birds also disperse fish by trailing eggs on their

legs and feet and spreading eggs through bogs, marshes, and

rivers. Birds also serve as biological controls by eating

insects and other invertebrates colloquially addressed as pests.

Finally, birds serve as bioindicators. Through biomagnification,

the general health of a bird population demonstrates toxins in

the environment. Mass deaths and disappearances of birds, as in

the DDT case of 1972,provide meaningful information as to the

dangers of widely used chemicals (Bonney, Dhondt, & Fitzpatrick,

2001). Urbanization also threatens the biological diversity of

birds in urban areas. “Urbanization and human activity within an

urban system produces many destructive and irreversible effects

on natural environments such as climate change, air pollution,

sediment and soil erosion, increased flooding magnitude, and loss


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of habitat,” (Bowler, 1999). As Atlanta proceeds to urbanize, it

is important that the metropolis’s natural resources, including

its avifaunal diversity, be monitored given its critical role as

a migratory stopover for birds on the Eastern seaboard.

Statement of the Problem

According to Anup Shah from Globalissues.org, “Biodiversity

boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how

small, all have an important role to play” (2014). It is

recognized that anthropogenic pressures affect and often

accelerate loss of biological diversity and even extinction of

some species. One of the primary responsibilities of the

National Park Service is to monitor and protect the biodiversity

of its parks. The mission is considered by the most recent

National Park Service handbook as being “fundamental”

(Interpreting Biologic Diversity, 1988). The same handbook,

however, has stated not only that the National Park Service lacks

adequate data on the state of biodiversity in the parks, but also

the funding and knowledge necessary to protect the biological

aspects of the Park Service (Interpreting biological diversity,


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1988). In the same way that the surrounding metropolis may harm

biologic diversity, it also has the power to help and intervene

in a positive, calculated, and non-intrusive manner. The park is

considered a “green island,” a small green space untouched so far

by the surrounding park (State of the Park, 2013). Accurate

biodiversity indexes have not yet been measured do to a lack of

resources. Through a correlative study, the avian population and

diversity of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park may be

surveyed. This metric is supported as an appropriate measure of

ecological health as it was used in a 2013 study by Kurukshetra

University to analyze anthropogenic pressures in New Dehli, India

(Prakash & Manasvini). The ecological survey will be compared to

the number of cars in metropolitan Atlanta and the area of

impermeable surfaces added to the sprawl each year. This is

considered an accurate indicator of anthropogenic pressures

according to the State of the Park report for Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park (State of the Park, 2013).

Purpose of the Study


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The purpose of this qualitative correlational study is to

determine the relationship between urban avifaunal diversity and

urbanization of metropolitan Atlanta. Data from the resulting

ecological surveys must represent strong biological diversity in

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to signify a healthy

ecosystem regardless of the level of urbanization measured by the

number of cars and area of impermeable surfaces in Atlanta. The

avifaunal diversity of the park, produced by counting individuals

and species in specific observation locations throughout the park

is compared to the urbanization of Atlanta. In a 2002 study,

Pakistani scientists referenced the increase of vehicles and

industrial development (development of impermeable surfaces) as a

valid metric for the urbanization of a study (Sajjab et al,

2010). Through this study, urban planners may design ideal

cities using methods that benefit Atlanta on a multispecies

basis, for example, transit oriented development.

Research Questions


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Q1. Is the avifaunal biodiversity at Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park correlated with the urbanization of the

Atlanta Metropolitan Area?

Hypothesis

H1: The avifaunal biodiversity at Kennesaw Mountain National

Battlefield Park is positively correlated with the urbanization

of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

H2: The avifaunal biodiversity at Kennesaw Mountain National

Battlefield Park is negatively correlated with the urbanization

of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

H0: There is no correlation between the avifaunal

biodiversity at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and

the urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

Significance of the Study

Due to the significant role birds play in expressing the

ecological health of their environment, the health of the bird

population in areas of concern is of great importance. The study

aims to provide valuable information for the health of a rapidly

growing and urbanizing section of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.


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Information concluded at the end of the study will serve to

suggest the direction and method of growth ideal for the Atlanta

Metropolitan Area.

Definition of Key Terms

Biodiversity The variety of species and individuals

Bioindicator A process, species, or community use to assess the health

of an environment

Biomagnification A process occurring when the concentration of a

substance, typically a toxin, within an individual exceeds

the concentration of the substance in the individual’s diet

Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

The growth of a mixed use neighborhood in a way that

promotes access to public transportation and walkability.

Summary

The health of a bird population is a vital bioindicator of

the health of an ecosystem and must be regularly studied. In a

study of the avifaunal population at Kennesaw Mountain National

Battlefield Park, the biodiversity of the autumn bird population

will be compared to the urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan


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Area. The study aims to provide suggestions as to the

sustainable future development of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a prime bird

watching environment and is acknowledged by the Audubon Society

as being a premier destination for birders during migratory

seasons. The area boasts not only recognizable avifaunal

diversity unmatched by other hotspot locations in the area, but

also an opportunity to see rare birds including the Cerulean

Warbler, a threatened migrant species (Beaton, 2004). Kennesaw

Mountain lies on the outer reaches of the Atlanta Metropolitan

Area; a bustling major American city ranked the 40th largest city

in the United States according to population. This urban sprawl

is characterized by heavy traffic. State of the Park reports

have discussed the correlation between poor health of an animal

population and chronic noise levels and light pollution, but

never urbanization as an overarching topic. The State of the

Park Report, which all National Park Service employees refer to,


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does not report the correlation of urbanization of the Atlanta

Metropolitan Area and the biodiversity of Kennesaw Mountain.

Resource Management at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield

Park

While Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was

established by the National Park Service as a national park for

its rich cultural history, the 2,923-acre park boasts a diverse

set of natural resources as well. “The Park is one of the best

places to see a diverse community of migratory birds east of the

Mississippi River” (State of the Park, 2013). In 2000, Kennesaw

Mountain was declared a Globally Important Bird area due to its

impressive bird diversity by the Audubon Society (Atlanta Audubon

Society). The park was the first Globally Important Bird area in

the state of Georgia, boasting 208 species of birds observed in

2013, a large percentage of which being neotropical migrants

(State of the Park, 2013). In addition to the parks many exotic

migrants, it plays host to three Georgia-state listed species of

concern: the Cerulean Warbler, the peregrine falcon, and the bald

eagle. The Cerulean Warbler population is in serious decline,


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however, during the spring migration, the bird is seen more often

at Kennesaw Mountain than anywhere else in the Southeast (Audubon

WatchList, 2002).

The State of the Park Report is an annual document assessing

the condition of park resources as well as trends in their

management. The flora and fauna of Kennesaw Mountain have been

warranted a “Resource is in Good Condition” rating with a

“Medium” confidence in assessment (State of the Park, 2013). The

avian population specifically has been awarded a “Resource is in

Good Condition” rating with a “Medium” confidence in assessment

and was determined by the agency in charge of the report as being

of unchanging status, meaning that the avifaunal biodiversity was

neither deteriorating nor improving (State of the Park, 2013).

After becoming a designated “Globally Important Bird Area” by the

Audubon Society in 2000, a conservation plan was provided for

Kennesaw Mountain in 2005 by the Audubon Society. “As prime

natural migration habitat that is critical for neotropical bird

migrants (e.g., vireos, warblers), the park was designated a

globally Important Bird Area in 2000, the first area designated


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in the State. An Avian Conservation Implementation Plan (ACIP)

was prepared for [Kennesaw Mountain] in 2005” (Watson 2005). The

State of the Park Report summarizes the greatest threat to the

birds of Kennesaw Mountain, specifically the Cerulean Warbler, as

the threat of development and urban sprawl (2013). Though the

report speaks of birds in terms of biodiversity, the assessment

of the park was not a biodiversity assessment, but rather a

species occurrence report, i.e. species were measured in terms of

the number of sites around the park in which the species was

observed in.

The report also includes a section assessing the

anthropogenic light and noise pollution. Anthropogenic light was

rated as “Warrants Significant Concern” while the resource’s

condition continues to deteriorate (State of the Park, 2013).

Anthropogenic light was assessed through a modeled Anthropogenic

Light Ratio that determines light pollution as a ratio of Average

Anthropogenic Sky Glow (the relative brightness of the area) to

Average Natural Sky Luminance. The Anthropogenic Light Ratio of

Kennesaw Mountain was determined to be 19.67, a figure which


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warrants significant concern (Moore, C., Turina, F., White, J.,

2013). The Report predicts that this is due to the park’s

location: Adjacent to the Atlanta metropolitan area with a

population of 5.5 million people and a 28% growth rate in the

past decade (State of the Park, 2013). Additionally, noise

pollution of the area is assessed and measured specifically in

terms of ambient noise. The noise pollution of Kennesaw Mountain

was determined to “Warrant Moderate Concern” with the state of

the resource deteriorating (State of the Park, 2013). In a 2011

study of sounds in neighboring Fulton County, the sound level

suggested poor environmental quality (Seong et al, 2011). It is

likely that heavy and increasing vehicular traffic through

Kennesaw Mountain may produce similar effects. The study

classifies Kennesaw Mountain as a “green island” surrounded by

the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and asserts that Kennesaw Mountain

has been “degraded by anthropogenic noise through increased

motorized recreation and urban development (Seong et al, 2011).

In 2012, the Atlanta Metropolitan Area was characterized as being

of poor environmental quality due to anthropogenic noise produced


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by road traffic as well as having “substantial chronic noise

pollution” (Kim et al 2012). Anthropogenic noise pollution

warrants significant concern not only due to its adverse effect

on human psychological well-being according to the World Health

Organization, but also to wildlife present in the National Parks

(Schwela, 2001). Specifically, such ambient noise can mask calls

and other sounds produced by wildlife as well as interfere with

the perception of these sounds. “Compromised hearing can

adversely alter acoustical communication (birds, frogs) and

negatively affect sleeping and hibernating animals” (Barber et

al. 2010). Noise has also been documented to adversely impact

animal physiology and behavior. “Chronic stress from noise can

adversely affect an animal’s energy budget, reproductive success,

and long-term survival,” (Radle, 1998). Kennesaw Mountain is

expected to sustain these levels of noise pollution due to its

urban setting and the “Well over 1.5 million cars passing

directly through the parklands,” (State of the Park, 2013).

Related Studies


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A study performed in New Dehli by scientists from Jawaharlal

Nehru University studied disturbances in the flagship ecosystem

of the South Ridge Delhi. The study measured biodiversity in the

bird population because “birds are the best indicator of a

healthy ecosystem” (Surya et al, 2013). The study revealed a

diminishing biodiversity index due to rapid urbanization

threatening avian habitats (Surya et al, 2013). A study of the

correlation of CO2 emissions and the urbanization of Karachi,

Pakistan, the largest city in Pakistan and ninth largest city in

the world, provided evidence that oil and petrol, natural gas,

and coal consumption grew by 219%, 365% and 287%, respectively

from 1980 to 2007. Urban area and population as well as vehicle

use were used as a metric for urbanization in the study. The

study supported the hypothesis that urbanization of Karachi,

Pakistan was positively correlated with CO2 emissions.

In a 2008 study performed by Strack from the Warnell School

of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia,

it was found that the Atlanta Metropolitan Area is the most

rapidly growing metropolitan area in the United States of America


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with 1 square mile being developed every 2 weeks during 2006

(Strack, 2008). Reportedly, every day the Atlanta region “lost

54 acres of trees and gains 28 acres of asphalt, concrete and

impermeable surfaces,” (Harris, 2007).

Summary

State of the Park Reports regularly maintain measures of

biodiversity in the bird population as well as surveys of the

urbanization of the surrounding metropolitan sprawl. As Atlanta

continues to urbanize, the negative effects become clear to

wildlife in the park. In similar studies, urbanization had been

related to avifaunal biodiversity negatively, in that as

urbanization continues, the health and biodiversity of the urban

bird populations are damaged.

Chapter 3: Research Method

Biodiversity is an integral aspect of the health of an

ecosystem. The study aims to discern any correlation between the

urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and the

biodiversity of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

bird population. A quantitative case study is the proposed


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research method for this study. Migratory birds from four sites

around Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park were observed

between September 2, 2014 and October 28, 2014. Each site

provides the following information: the number of bird species at

the site, the number of individual birds at the site, and the

time each individual bird is seen.

Data will be obtained through field observation at four

locations by the researcher. All birds physically present in the

observation area are accounted for. Urbanization data for the

Atlanta Metropolitan Area will be obtained from the Atlanta

Regional Commission’s most recent transportation fact book.

Population and Sample

The method of data collection used in this study is field

observation. The population is all birds living in and passing

through the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The

sample in this study is all birds physically present in four

separate observation areas throughout Kennesaw Mountain National

Battlefield Park on various days between September 2, 2014 and

October 28, 2014. There is a second population and sample


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accounted for in order to analyze urbanization trends in the

Atlanta Metropolitan Area. The population includes the Atlanta

Metropolitan Area while the sample studies vehicles and

centerline road mile measures reported by the Atlanta Regional

Commission’s most recent transportation fact book.

Instrumentation

Bird observation will be aided by Bushnell Falcon 7x35

binoculars. The Atlanta Regional Commission provided data

collected for urbanization measures.

Procedure and Time Frame

The procedure for this study involves field observation. To

collect data, sit in a relatively hidden previously determined

location at each site. The four observation sites include the

edge of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park field and

the visitor’s center, the mouth of the Camp Brumby Loop trail

near the Georgia Confederate Monument, the beginning of the

Kennesaw Mountain trail, and the field outside the former

barracks. Sit still and quiet for thirty minutes and note each

individual bird, its species, and the time it entered the


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observation site. Individuals not physically in the observation

site, though still audible, were excluded from the study.

Applicable individuals observed between September 2, 2014 and

October 28, 2014 were noted and saved.

Data for the urbanization aspect of the study was collected

and provided by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Centerline mile

measurements are regularly measured by the Georgia Department of

Transportation with the most recent survey reporting changes from

the year 2009 to 2011. Data for registered vehicles was

collected through census data from the Georgia Department of

Revenue Motor Vehicle Division. The registration data is current

as of September 30, 2012.

Delimitations

Further areas of the park were not surveyed in order to

provide a manageable database. Sites were surveyed in the

afternoon for convenience to the researcher though mornings are

typically more visited by migratory birds (Beaton, 2004).

Species viewed were limited by both the time surveyed (late

afternoon) and the location of the survey sites. Additionally,


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urbanization data was reliant on accurate data from the Atlanta

Regional Commission. The Atlanta Regional Commission only

provided updated data when available so the data provided may not

be completely up to date as of November 2014.

Analysis Plan

Analysis will consist of calculating biodiversity for each

site for each observational period and then averaging those

biodiversity calculations for each site. In order to calculate

biodiversity, the number of species in the observation area is

divided by the total number of individuals in the observation

area. The biodiversity index will be compared to the

urbanization data provided by the Atlanta Regional Commission.

The Atlanta Regional Commission, the Georgia Department of

Transportation, and the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor

Vehicles Division have already analyzed the urbanization data for

trends.

Validity of Method

The internal validity of this research method is moderate

because the observations are relatively controlled and contact


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with the birds is not allowed in the purview of the Kennesaw

Mountain National Battlefield Park. The amount of observations,

however, is low and the researcher is not trained as an

ornithologist. The external validity of the study, however, is

not as high as the internal validity. Although the study is

applicable to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, it may

not be applicable to other settings. To increase the strength of

the external validity of the study, the sample would have to be

more representative of a larger population. Theoretically, a

similar study with high external validity would have samples from

across the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

Internal validity of the urbanization data is high as the

data was collected by multiple teams and reviewed by various

bureaucratic agencies. The external validity of the censuses is

low as it only applies to the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, not

necessarily the state of Georgia or any other similar urban

areas.

Assumptions


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The assumption that must be made for this study is that the

birds observed in the observation sites at any given time have

not been counted more than once. This assumption can be

warranted because the birds typically remain in the observation

site visibly for the extent of the observation period. The second

assumption that must be made is that the researcher is accurate

in his or her observation of the birds and their species.

It is assumed that the Georgia Department of Transportation

is accurate in its count of centerline miles. A second

assumption is that the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor

Vehicles Division accurately presents the number of registered

vehicles in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. It must be assumed

that the Atlanta Regional Commission is providing the most

updated data possible.

Scope and Limitations

The scope of this study is to collect data and discover if a

statistically significant relation is made between urbanization

trends of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and the avifaunal

biodiversity trends of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield


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Park. Because of restrictions on time and resources, the scope

of the study is limited. A large sample size is ideal for any

study so that results may be generalized. However, due to the

availability of secluded space at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield

Park, only four observational sites could be studied. Results

generated from this sample will be difficult to generalize.

Another limitation is that the researcher is not a trained

ornithologist. Limited training and expertise made it difficult

to certainly identify the birds observed in the observational

area. All subjects were observed at the Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park; therefore the study can only be

generalized to subjects at that location.

The study is also limited in the amount and frequency of

data released by the Atlanta Regional Commission regarding

urbanization trends in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area including

centerline miles and registered motor vehicles.

Summary

All birds will be observed in four observation areas in the

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. These observations


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will be dated between September 2, 2014 and October 28, 2014 and

birds not physically in the observation sites were not included.

General information will be collected from the sample and will be

analyzed for a biodiversity index.

Centerline miles and registered motor vehicles will be

reported in records by the Atlanta Regional Commission and

analyzed by the respective agencies that collected the data. The

trends in urbanization will be compared to the trends in

biodiversity of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

bird population.

Chapter 4: Findings

Four observation sites were examined at Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park. The sites were observed for thirty

minutes during which time the number of species, number of

individuals, and times the individuals entered the observation

site were noted. The results were later analyzed for a

biodiversity index. The researcher intended to compare the

biodiversity index to previous biodiversity data compiled for s

State of the Park report on resource management. Additionally,


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the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia

Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles Division collected

urbanization data. The two sets of data were compared in order

to observe any trends indicating a correlation between the

avifaunal biodiversity of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield

Park and the urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

Results

On the days between September 2, 2014 and October 28, 2014,

19 total observations were conducted on the Kennesaw National

Battlefield Park premises. During these observational periods,

the researcher sat in a secluded area of the observational site

for thirty minutes and noted each bird physically present in the

observation site. Each individual bird was categorized by

species and marked by the time it entered the observation site.

Biodiversity indices range from zero, representing zero species

and zero individuals, to one, reflecting one individual per

species in an observational site.

Site 1, located between the Visitor Center and the end of

the Camp Brumby Loop trail, was surveyed four times on research


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days 4, 8, 12, and 16. On research day 4, no birds were

physically present in the observational site resulting in a

biodiversity index of 0 (Table 1). On research day 8, two bird

species were observed with a total of four individual birds

resulting in a biodiversity index of 0.5 (Table 2). On research

day 12, three bird species were noted with a total of 12 birds

resulting in a biodiversity index of 0.25 (Table 3). On research

day 16, two bird species were observes with a total of five

individual birds resulting in a biodiversity index of 0.4 (Table

4). Averaged, the biodiversity index of site 1 is 0.288 out of a

possible 1, the lowest biodiversity index of the four sites.

Site 2, located in the middle of the Camp Brumby Loop trail,

was surveyed five times on research days 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17. On

research day 1, nine different bird species were observed as well

as 21 individuals resulting in a biodiversity index of 0.429

(Table 5). On research day 5, one bird species and one

individual was observed resulting in a biodiversity index of 1

(Table 6). On research day 9, two bird species were noted as

well as a total of five individuals resulting in a biodiversity


25

index of 0.4 (Table 7). On research day 13, one species and two

individual birds were observed resulting in a biodiversity index

of 0.5 (Table 8). On research day 17, one species and two

individuals were observed, totaling a biodiversity index of 0.5

(Table 9). The average biodiversity index for site 2 is 0.566

out of 1, the highest biodiversity index of the four sites.

Site 3, located at the head of the Camp Brumby Loop trail

and the Kennesaw Mountain trail, was surveyed five times on

research days 2, 6, 11, 14, and 18. On research day 2, three

bird species and a total of five birds were observed resulting in

a biodiversity index of 0.6 (Table 10). On research day 6, three

species of birds and eight individuals were observed resulting in

a biodiversity index of 0.375 (Table 11). On research day 11, no

birds were physically present in the observation area resulting

in a biodiversity index of 0 (Table 12). On research day 14,

three bird species were observed as well as a total of four

individual birds resulting in a biodiversity index of 0.75 Table

13). On research day 18, a total of two species and two

individual birds were observed resulting in a biodiversity index


26

of 1 (Table 14). Averaged, the biodiversity index for site 3 is

0.545 out of 1.

Site 4, located in front of the old barracks, was surveyed

five times on research days 3, 7, 10, 15, and 19. On research

day 3, seven bird species were noted with a total of sixteen

individual birds resulting in a biodiversity index of 0.438

(Table 15). On research day 7, zero birds were physically

present in the observation site resulting in a biodiversity index

of 0 (Table 16). On research day 10, four bird species and 6

individuals were observed resulting in a biodiversity index of

0.667 (Table 17). On research day 15, four different species of

birds and eight individual birds were noted resulting in a

biodiversity index of 0.5 (Table 18). On research day 19, six

bird species and nineteen total individual birds were observed

resulting in a biodiversity index of 0.316 (Table 19). The

average biodiversity index for site 4 is 0.384 out of 1.

The biodiversity index for Kennesaw Mountain National

Battlefield Park was averaged to be 0.446 out of 1 (Table 20).

Previous calculations of biodiversity of Kennesaw Mountain


27

National Battlefield Park for the purposes of the State of the

Park resource briefing, last performed in 2013, assert that the

species occurrence and diversity of the bird population is in

“good condition” and that the state of the resource is unchanging

(State of the Park, 2013). Though the resource assessment claims

to assess biodiversity, the data presented in the report and the

studies referenced in the report actually assess species

occurrence rather than biodiversity and cannot be compared to the

biodiversity index calculated by the researcher between the dates

of September 2, 2014 and October 28, 2014.

Impermeable surfaces, here measured by centerline miles

on interstate/freeways, principal arterial roads, minor arterial

roads, collector roads, and local roads, are reported by the

Georgia Department of Transportation and obtained through the

Atlanta Regional Commission’s most recent fact book. Centerline

data is recent as of 2011 reporting 363.52 miles of

interstate/freeways, 546.69 miles of principal arterial roads,

1,698.60 miles of minor arterial roads, 1,548.15 miles of

collector roads, and 15,083.66 miles of local roads spanning the


28

10- county Atlanta Metropolitan Area (Atlanta Regional

Commission, 2012). The total number of centerline miles in 2011

as calculated by the Georgia Department of Transportation is

19,240.62 (Atlanta Regional Commission, 2012). The total number

of centerline miles has grown by 194.37 since 2009, an increase

of 1.02%, mostly in Fulton County (Atlanta Regional Commission,

2012). After performing a t-test to detect significant changes

in the data, it was determined that there is a 14.67% likelihood

that the change in the data is due to chance (Table 21).

Motor vehicles are registered with and reported by the

Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division and

registration numbers are accurate as of September 30, 2012. The

10-county jurisdiction of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area has

2,998,454 registered motor vehicles including passenger vehicles

(including SUVs), trucks, and motorcycles (Atlanta Regional

Commission, 2012). The total number of registered vehicles in

the 10 core counties compromising the Atlanta Metropolitan Are

has increased by 88,026 vehicles since 2009, a 3.02% change

(Atlanta Regional Commission, 2012). After performing a t-test


29

to detect significant changes in the data, it was determined that

there is a 6.70% likelihood that the change in the data is due to

chance (Table 22).

Evaluation of Findings

The study was intended to be longitudinal wherein the data

collected surrounding urban avifaunal diversity at Kennesaw

National Battlefield Park was compared to urbanization data for

the 10 core counties of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

Originally, biodiversity data for the bird population at Kennesaw

Mountain National Battlefield Park was provided through the State

of the Park reports performed to assess the state of the

resources at the park for management purposes however, upon

further study of the provided data, the information provided

through those reports, though labeled as a biodiversity index,

was actually a species occurrence study. Without the

longitudinal data, it became impossible to answer the original

research question: Is the avifaunal biodiversity at Kennesaw

Mountain National Battlefield Park correlated with the

urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area?


30

Despite being unable to answer the original question, the

data presented interesting results warranting further

investigation. The State of the Park reports provided assessed

the bird population at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield

Park was stable “in good condition”, the biodiversity index

assessed between the dates of September 2, 2014 and October 28,

2014 suggested otherwise (State of the Park, 2013). According to

the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, a forest, like

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, should score a

biodiversity index within the range of 0.7-0.8 (Baker, 2011).

The data suggests that despite claims by the State of the Park

reports, the health of the bird population at Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park is actually deteriorating.

The Atlanta Metropolitan Area, here defined as the “10 core

counties”: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette,

Fulton (including the City of Atlanta), Gwinnett, Henry, and

Rockdale, continues to urbanize. The measure of impermeable

surfaces, measured by centerline miles, has increased by 194.37

miles, an increase of 1.02% providing less room for trees,


31

plants, and other natural resources necessary for wildlife

habitats.

The Atlanta Metropolitan Area continues to grow with more

and more motor vehicles being registered. From 2009 to 2012, the

number of registered vehicles (passenger vehicles, trucks, and

motorcycles) has grown from 2,910,428 to 2,998,454, an increase

of a statistically significant 3.02%. The urbanization data

suggests damage to air quality when compared to previous studies

demonstrating the relationship between increased automobile usage

and CO2 concentration (Sajjad et al, 2010).

Though longitudinal data could not be collected, the data

suggests that the Atlanta Metropolitan Area continues to urbanize

while the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park supports an

unhealthy index of avifaunal diversity. Further studies will be

needed to address the long-term relationship of urbanization in

the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and the health of the Kennesaw

Mountain National Battlefield Park’s bird population. The

effects of increased impermeable surfaces and greater vehicle


32

ownership and usage may sustain effects on the avifaunal

diversity of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

Summary

The index for the avifaunal diversity of Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park is calculated to be 0.446 out of a

possible 1. This suggests that the bird population is unhealthy,

as a healthy forest’s index will typically fall within the range

of 0.7-0.8. Longitudinal data could not be obtained to calculate

a relationship between the health of the bird population and the

urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Data measuring

impermeable surfaces and vehicle registration demonstrated a

rapidly growing urban metropolis with impermeable surface

measures growing by 1.02% and registered vehicles increasing by

3.02%. Trends indicate that the health of Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park is deteriorating and that the Atlanta

Metropolitan Area is rapidly urbanizing.

Chapter 5: Implications, Recommendations, and Conclusions

In order to determine whether or not a relationship exists

between the avifaunal diversity of Kennesaw Mountain National


33

Battlefield Park and the urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan

Area, the birds of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

were surveyed between the dates of September 2, 2014 and October

28, 2014. The data involving avifaunal diversity was intended to

be compared to longitudinal studies of biodiversity at Kennesaw

Mountain National Battlefield Park, but it was discovered that

what was referenced, as a biodiversity index in the State of the

Park reports was actually a measure of species occurrence.

Because of this confusion, the data could not be compared to

urbanization indicators for the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and

thus the research question remained unanswered, though some

interesting findings were presented in the data that warrant

further investigation. The biodiversity index calculated during

this study suggested Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

to be an unhealthy habitat and demonstrated the rapid

urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

Implications

Though the research question remains unanswered, the

experiment has warranted further investigation and has great


34

implications within institutional research as well as urban

planning and public administration. In terms of institutional

research, the lack of data suggests a lack of attention to what

could prove to be an environmental issue. Data labeled as a

biodiversity index was actually a measure of species occurrence,

two completely different aspects of an ecosystem. The

misrepresentation of the data allowed the avifaunal diversity of

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to be evaluated as in

stable “good condition” when the biodiversity index calculated

represents that of an unhealthy forest (State of the Park, 2013;

Baker, 2011). With biodiversity presented as an issue

“fundamental” to the National Park Service, misrepresented and

misleading data may prove to harm the National Park Service’s

mission and integrity.

The data collected provided support for claims that the

Atlanta Metropolitan Area is rapidly urbanizing as characterized

by growth of impermeable surfaces and greater motor vehicle use

and registration. In previous studies of the Atlanta

Metropolitan Area, it was noted that the creation of impermeable


35

surfaces encroaches National Park Service territory and damages

visitor infrastructure (Harris, 2007). Given the loss of green

space provided by the National Park Service, further production

of impermeable surfaces may consume areas of the park with trees,

bushes, and other animal habitats threatening biodiversity,

though further study will be needed in order to confirm (State of

the Park, 2013). Additionally, the growth of motor vehicle usage

has been related to greater CO2 emissions and environmental

damage in previous studies including one in Karachi, Pakistan

(Sajjad et al, 2010). CO2 emissions damage air quality and

present a health risk to the inhabitants of the city (Sajjad et

al, 2010).

Recommendations

It is recommended that researchers further assess the health

of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park through

biodiversity indices, especially in ways that promote

longitudinal studies of the health of the park. Given that the

biodiversity index performed during the study suggested the park

was unhealthy, measures may need to be taken in order to benefit


36

the ecosystem. The urbanization of Atlanta indicated by the

collection of data measuring centerline miles and motor vehicle

registration may have severe environmental effects.

Anthropogenic noise and light caused by the urbanization of the

Atlanta Metropolitan Area have harmed the Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park ecosystem, as demonstrated in previous

State of the Park reports, and the damages may continue as the

area continues to grow (State of the Park, 2013). Additionally,

further motor vehicle use could harm the Atlanta Metropolitan

Area’s air quality presenting danger to the inhabitants of the

city, both human and non-human (Sajjad et al, 2010).

It is recommended that the Atlanta Metropolitan Area

consider and implement more sustainable growth practices,

specifically in terms of impermeable surfaces and motor vehicle

transportation. Transit oriented development could aid in the

revitalizing of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area by discouraging the

use of personal vehicles, a key component in the urbanization of

the area.


37

Conclusions

The research question could not be answered due to lack of

data. Therefore, no correlation can be suggested between the

avifaunal diversity present at Kennesaw Mountain National

Battlefield Park and the urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan

Area. The biodiversity index determined in this experimentation,

however, suggests that the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield

Park is unhealthy. The longitudinal data collected supports that

the Atlanta Metropolitan Area is rapidly urbanizing. Though

further study is required to completely assess the health of

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and its possible

relationship with the urbanization of the Atlanta Metropolitan

Area, it is recommended that the urban planners involved with

Atlanta’s 10-core counties take precautionary measures to protect

the area’s ecosystem including, but not limited to,

implementation of transit oriented development.


38

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43

Appendix A: Complete Biodiversity Data

Table 1Research Day 4Site 1Bird Species # Seen Time SeenNA NA NABiodiversity Index 0

Table 2Research Day 8Site 1Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 3 12:57, 12:57, 12:57B 1 12:58Biodiversity Index 0.5

Table 3Research Day 12Site 1

Bird Species

# Seen Time Seen

A 2 12:55, 12:56

B 912:56, 12:56, 12:56, 12:56, 12:56, 1:07,1:15, 1:15, 1:15

C 1 1:07Biodiversity Index 0.25

Table 4Research Day 16Site 1Bird Species # Seen Time Seen


44

A 2 2:39, 2:43B 3 2:42, 2:42, 2:46Biodiversity Index 0.4

Table 5Research Day 1Site 2Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 2 1:10,1:15B 6 1:10,1:15, 1:18, 1:25, 1:32, 1:33C 2 1:13, 1:13D 1 1:15E 3 1:16, 1:30, 1:30F 1 1:14G 3 1:15, 1:15, 1:15H 1 1:16I 2 1:21, 1:21Biodiversity Index 0.429

Table 6Research Day 5Site 2Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 1 12:57Biodiversity Index 1'

Table 7Research Day 9Site 2Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 2 1:28, 1:28B 3 1:37, 1:37, 1:37Biodiversity Index 0.4


45

Table 8Research Day 13Site 2Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 2 2:42, 2:43Biodiversity Index 0.5Table 9Research Day 17Site 2Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 2 1:30, 1:33Biodiversity Index 0.5

Table 10Research Day 2Site 3Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 1 1:05B 3 1:07, 1:07, 1:28C 1 1:25Biodiversity Index 0.600'

Table 11Research Day 6Site 3Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 1 1:15B 4 1:19, 1:27, 1:32, 1:35C 3 1:26, 1:26, 1:26Biodiversity Index 0.375


46


Table 13Research Day 14Site 3Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 1 1:20B 1 1:44C 2 1:46, 1:47Biodiversity Index 0.75

Table 14Research Day 18Site 3Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 1 1:28B 1 1:30Biodiversity Index 1

Table 15Research Day 3Site 4Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 2 1:28, 1:45B 4 1:29, 1:32, 1:32, 1:39


47

C 2 1:29, 1:47D 3 1:30, 1:36, 1:38E 2 1:33, 1:33F 2 1:42, 1:52G 1 1:44Biodiversity Index 0.438'


Table 17Research Day 10Site 4Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 1 1:30B 3 1:30, 1:30, 1:30C 1 1:32D 1 1:42Biodiversity Index 0.667'

Table 18Research Day 15Site 4Bird Species # Seen Time SeenA 2 1:06, 1:06B 2 1:07, 1:15C 1 1:09D 3 1:14, 1:14, 1:14Biodiversity Index 0.5


48

Table 19Research Day 19Site 4Bird Species

# Seen Time Seen

A 71:58, 1:58,2:04, 2:04, 2:04, 2:08, 2:12

B 4 2:01, 2:01, 2:01, 2:08C 2 2:02, 2:02D 2 2:09, 2:09E 2 2:10, 2:10F 2 2:18, 2:18Biodiversity Index 0.316

Table 20Biodiversity IndicesSite AverageSite 1 0.288Site 2 0.566Site 3 0.545Site 4 0.384Overall 0.446

49

Appendix B: Complete Urbanization Data

Note: This data was provided by the Atlanta Regional

Commission. Atlanta Regional Commission. (2012).

Transportation Fact Book 2012. Atlanta, GA: U.S.


Table

50

Note: This data was provided by the Atlanta Regional

Commission. Atlanta Regional Commission. (2012).

Transportation Fact Book 2012. Atlanta, GA: U.S.


Table 22

51

Appendix C: Maps

Figure 1

Map of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

52

Figure 2

Map of Atlanta Metropolitan Area

Urban Avifaunal Diversity: An Indicator of Anthropogenic Pressures in Northwestern Metropolitan Atlanta

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