Mysha Javeri

As urbanization spreads, it becomes more of a disturbance to earth’s natural ecosystem. Urbanization can affect both the abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem, altering the genetic patterns and structures of populations in or around a city. Genetic diversity refers to the range of different inherited traits within a population; the more variations in a single population, the better suited this population will be to environmental changes and disruptions. Depending on the population, and the selection pressures influencing that population, urbanization can have more or less of an impact on genetic diversity. 

A previous study, conducted by my mentor, found a consistent decline of genetic diversity in urban environments of mammals, while the results for birds were less consistent. In most cases, the birds tended to experience increased genetic diversity, and overall genetic connectivity of the population. However, in some cases, there was reduced diversity and connectivity; these cases were mostly of aquatic birds (birds that live in or around water). 

My mentor and I want to further explore how traits might affect the ways that genetic diversity and population structure is affected by urbanization. To do this, we will be using the previously collected genetic data that quantifies various measures of genetic diversity, such as allelic frequencies, genetic drift, and population differentiation.  We will also be using trait data that contains trait measurements for each bird species included. My project will be completely conducted using the R programming language, and by creating statistical models, I will be able to understand the association between these two variables. Studying the population genetic patterns of aquatic birds, in relation to their traits, will provide a better understanding of which traits allow birds to succeed in urban environments and which trusts don’t. This will help the conservation of aquatic birds in urban environments, by furthering our knowledge of their needs.