Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
ing to neighbors and engaging in wildlife conservation also enhances the
owner's public image. Most important is Snep's belief that providing room for
biodiversity at business sites can have important benei ts for the birds and
other animals that share his city.
Snep analyzed data from volunteer bird watchers who fanned out to doc-
ument birds of about one hundred sites in business parks, residential areas,
and urban parks throughout the whole of the heavily urbanized Netherlands.
Over i ve years, they found 122 species of birds and quickly discovered that,
just like Seattle, Dutch subirdia is the place with residences and parks. There
they found more than one hundred species of birds! Business sites were not as
rich in birds, but they held a sizeable diversity: sixty-six species in all. The
birds that used business sites were similar to those we found in Seattle. Most
were waterbirds and birds of young, open country. Some appeared to special-
ize on the features found around businesses. Eurasian oystercatchers, herring
gulls, mew gulls, black redstarts, white wagtails, and Eurasian linnets were
more abundant in business sites than elsewhere in the city.
That Eurasian linnets were closely associated with business sites was
somewhat surprising. This species is declining in parts of its range, including
The Netherlands. Linnets are not alone in being a species of conservation
concern among working people. Twelve other birds on Europe's “red list”—
terns, skylarks, pipits, and partridges among them—were also found on busi-
ness sites. The linnet's rosy breast and forehead remind me of its close relative,
the common redpoll. This delight adds a splash of color to my otherwise gray
winter workdays. Surely, linnets similarly buoy Dutch workers' spirits. It is
reassuring to realize the reverse is equally true. The places people work buoy
the likelihood that some birds of conservation concern will survive our urban
world.
Belgian businesses do more than just provide space for birds. Some are
actively collaborating with conservation groups to enhance their lands for
rare plants, butterl ies, and toads. The Port of Antwerp, for example, has agreed
