Abstract: In the context of rapid urbanization, how to quantitatively select target species and construct multi-group bird habitat networks has become an urgent issue in high-density urban planning, design, and management. We quantitatively selected umbrella species as target species by calculating the umbrella index in Beijing, constructed four types of bird habitat networks: wetland, forest, shrubland, and grassland/farmland, and then conducted the structural evaluation analysis. A total of 53 bird species were identified as umbrella species, belonging to 9 orders and 23 families, covering a number of dominant families of birds in Beijing. Among them, 49 species were protected birds and migratory birds. Moreover, 115, 319, 50, and 490 source sites were identified for wetland birds, forest birds, shrubland birds, and grassland/farmland birds, respectively. The species distribution was dependent on urban bluegreen spaces, with parklands as important habitats for birds in densely builtup urban areas. The biodiversity benefits of urban greening projects, such as the Urban Park Ring and the Plains Afforestation Program, became increasingly evident. The habitat distribution and habitat network structure differed among bird groups. The habitat network of grassland/farmland birds was the most stable, while that of shrubland birds was the most vulnerable. Our results provide important scientific basis and reference for the optimization of urban ecological space based on the enhancement of bird diversity, which is of great significance for the protection of wild birds in Beijing.

Key words: habitat network, urban birds, umbrella species, biodiversity conservation,  urban blue-green space