Avian Diversity on a University Campus in the Mexican Chihuahuan Desert

Urban green spaces in arid environments can serve as biodiversity reservoirs, yet their ecological contributions remain underexplored. This study assessed avian diversity on the Universidad Autónoma Chapingo campus Unidad Regional Universitaria de Zonas Áridas (URUZA) in the Chihuahuan Desert, northern Mexico. From February 2022 to April 2025, bird surveys were collected through point transects and photographic records. The species were categorized by seasonality status, trophic guild, and conservation status according to the IUCN Red List and Mexican NOM-059. The Shannon, Margalef, Jaccard, and Bray–Curtis Indices were used to analyze diversity. Statistical analysis was undertaken with log-linear models to evaluate spatial and functional patterns. A total of 90 bird species, including protected and vulnerable species, were identified, belonging to 16 orders and 35 families. The areas with the greatest diversity of vegetation and water bodies also presented the greatest diversity and richness of bird species. Resident birds dominated species richness and trophic structure, although migratory birds contributed to functional heterogeneity. Significant differences were observed between seasonality and trophic guilds. This study demonstrates that the campus contributes to sustainability by preserving biodiversity in arid land, educating the community about the importance of conservation, and laying the groundwork for more informed and sustainable environmental and economic management.