A Study on Ecosystem Health of Kalamazoo via Bird and Arthropod Populations

Abstract

In this study I looked at the population of arthropods, as well as their avian predators using data downloaded from the Caterpillars Count! and eBird citizen science projects. I used a one way ANOVA to determine if the average observational counts for each order of arthropods, as well as bird species, saw any change from 2018 to 2020. I found that most orders of arthropods saw a decline. Additionally, all arthropod eating birds saw a decline, while birds with other diets showed a mixed response.