Abstract
Cherofsky, J. A. Birds Share the Harvest with Humans: Assessing Bird Community Associated with
Serviceberry and Mulberry Trees in Syracuse, NY, USA, 143 pages, 5 tables, 2022. [APA 7 Style Guide]
This study investigated urban food forest trees’ relationships with birds, targeting a
literature and policy gap at the nexus of urban forestry, food forestry, and bird ecology on land that
has been colonized and racially stratified. I sought to determine how birds relate with serviceberry
and mulberry trees, whose berries humans eat, in Syracuse, NY. Point counts were conducted and
vegetation was sampled within 50m of sampled trees. Bird community was richer and more
abundant, and birds interacted more with fruit trees, in the fruiting vs. the non-fruiting season. Birds
interacted with serviceberry trees more than mulberry trees relative to tree size and marginally
significantly more with larger trees of both types. Bird metrics were not related to other
environmental variables. It would be beneficial to plant trees that feed birds and humans year-round
and to consider ecosystems holistically. Decisions should be made in consultation with affected
communities.