Fruiting phenology of fleshy-fruited plants and seasonal dynamics of frugivorous birds in four vegetation zones on Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 833-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
KAZUYA KIMURA ◽  
TAKAKAZU YUMOTO ◽  
KIHACHIRO KIKUZAWA
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Dynamics ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Subalpine Forest ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Vegetation Zones ◽  
General Flowering ◽  
Montane Vegetation ◽  
The Hill

An altitudinal survey of correspondences between fruiting phenologies of fleshy-fruited tree species and seasonal dynamics of frugivorous birds on Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo was carried out for 50 weeks across four vegetation types: a hill forest (800 m asl), a lower montane forest (1700 m), an upper montane forest (2000-3000 m) and a subalpine forest (3000-3500 m). In the hill forest, a large fruiting peak following the general flowering phenomenon was observed during October-November in 1996 and a fruitless period was observed during February-April in 1997. During the fruitless period, the number of resident frugivorous birds decreased. A bimodal fruiting pattern was observed in the lower montane forest. A large number of frugivorous temperate migrants were observed when the fruiting peak occurred. The number of resident frugivorous birds increased and several lowland bird species were observed, when the number of resident birds decreased in the hill forest. In the upper montane forest and the subalpine forest, more continuous and irregular fruiting patterns without outstanding peaks were observed and the number of resident frugivorous birds was more stable throughout the year. These suggested (1) there was a strong relationship between fruiting seasonality and seasonal dynamics of temperate migrants in the lower montane forest; (2) seasonal altitudinal movements of lowland bird species to montane vegetation might occur during the fruitless period in the lowland forest; and (3) the continuous fruiting pattern in the higher vegetation zones might be related to the scarcity of available frugivorous birds. The hypothesis that the influx of temperate migrants into the montane vegetation of Mt. Kinabalu is affected by density and habits of resident frugivorous birds is supported. Montane vegetation in Borneo plays an important role as temporal refugia for temperate and altitudinal migrants by supplying fruit resources.

scholarly journals The birds of Korup National Park and Korup Project Area, Southwest Province, Cameroon

1994 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Rodewald ◽  
Pierre-André Dejaifve ◽  
Arthur A. Green
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Project Area ◽  
Forest Bird ◽  
Korup National Park ◽  
First Time

A total of 390 bird species are known to occur in the Korup National Park (KNP) and the surrounding Korup Project Area (KPA). Although the avifauna of KNP is incompletely known, it is already among the most ornithologically diverse lowland forest sites i n Africa. The avian diversity of the KPA is increased by the montane forest bird species of the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve (RHFR) and the Nta Ali Forest Reserve (NAFR). The lowland and montane forests of the KNP/KPA are very important to the conservation of African forest birds. Four species found in the Korup area are considered globally threatened, and four are considered near-threatened. In addition, 40 species were considered for threatened status, some of which are likely future additions to the threatened list. Twelve of Korup's 36 montane forest bird species are endemic to the montane areas of western Cameroon, eastern Nigeria, and Bioko (Fernando Po). The RHFR is especially important as a refuge for montane birds because much of the montane forest elsewhere in western Cameroon has been cleared for agriculture. Breeding phenology data are provided for many lowland forest species. Additionally, this report provides information on many rarely recorded species for western Cameroon, including several species not previously documented in the region. Kemp's Longbill Macrosphenus ketnpi was recorded for the first time in Cameroon. Because it is sympatric with the Yellow Longbill M. flavicans in Korup, additional evidence now exists for the contention that M. ketnpi and M.flavicans are separate species. The Yellow-chested Apalis Apalisflavidawas also documented for the first time in Cameroon.

scholarly journals The conservation status of key bird species on Taliabu and the Sula Islands, Indonesia

1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Davidson ◽  
Tony Stones ◽  
Rob Lucking
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Lowland Forests ◽  
First Time ◽  
Near Threatened

SummaryOrnithological surveys were conducted over a seven-week period on Taliabu, Sula Islands, Indonesia in 1991, concentrating on eight species (seven of which have restricted ranges) considered (in 1991) to be threatened and six species (two of which have restricted ranges) considered near-threatened. All of the restricted-range species are dependent on lowland forest, although most persist in secondary habitats, and some also occur in montane forest. Tyto nigrobrunnea was recorded for the first time since the type-specimen was collected in 1938, and is perhaps the most threatened of all the restricted-range birds. Megapodius bernsteinii, Pitta dohertyi, Rhinomyias colonus, Basilornis galeatus and Streptocitta albertinae are threatened in the longer term, primarily by habitat loss. Both Coracina schistacea and C. sula are able to persist in all but the most degraded of habitats. Of the two restricted-range species considered near-threatened, Zoothera erythronota is at greatest risk on Taliabu, apparently restricted to lowland forests. The other, Ptilinopus subgularis, is common in lowland forest and also occurs in montane forest. Little primary lowland forest was found in the areas visited on the island, and identifying remaining areas of this forest type and its relative importance to the birds, especially restricted-range species, should be given highest priority in further surveys. The suitability of a proposed reserve area on the island was evaluated: a larger area of lowland forest than is currently proposed should be afforded protection in order to safeguard the island's characteristic avifauna.

The consequences of selective logging for Bornean lowland forest birds

1992 ◽  
Vol 335 (1275) ◽  
pp. 443-457 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Forest Birds ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Dipterocarp Forest ◽  
Logged Forest ◽  
Lowland Dipterocarp Forest

In lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia, most primary forest bird species were present in areas selectively logged eight years previously. However, certain taxa, notably flycatchers, woodpeckers, trogons and wren-babblers, became comparatively rare. In contrast, nectarivorous and opportunistic frugivorous species were significantly more abundant. Few species appeared to change foraging height, but netting rates suggest that the activity of some species had increased, or that some birds ranged over larger areas after logging. Although there is still much to be learned about the survival of birds in logged forest, large areas of this habitat are important for bird conservation. However, the susceptibility of logged forest to fire, and our present incomplete understanding of bird behaviour and population dynamics in logged forests mean that they should not be considered by conservationists as alternatives to reserves of primary forest.

scholarly journals Fruiting phenology and consumption by birds in Ficus calyptroceras (Miq.) Miq. (Moraceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. RAGUSA-NETTO
Keyword(s):  
Food Resource ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Fruiting Phenology ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

Figs are a remarkable food resource to frugivores, mainly in periods of general fruit scarcity. Ficus calyptroceras Miq. (Moraceae) is the only fig species in a type of dry forest in western Brazil. In this study I examined the fruiting pattern as well as fig consumption by birds in F. calyptroceras. Although rainfall was highly seasonal, fruiting was aseasonal, since the monthly proportion of fruiting trees ranged from 4% to 14% (N = 50 trees). I recorded 22 bird species feeding on figs. In the wet season 20 bird species ate figs, while in the dry season 13 did. Parrots were the most important consumers. This group removed 72% and 40% of the figs consumed in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. No bird species increases fig consumption from dry to wet season. However, a group of bird species assumed as seed dispersers largely increases fig consumption from wet to dry season, suggesting the importance of this resource in the period of fruit scarcity. The results of this study points out the remarkable role that F. calyptroceras plays to frugivorous birds, in such a dry forest, since its fruits were widely consumed and were available all year round.

scholarly journals Chronic nitrogen addition causes a reduction in soil carbon dioxide efflux during the high stem-growth period in a tropical montane forest but no response from a tropical lowland forest in decadal scale

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 8633-8660
Author(s):  
B. Koehler ◽  
M. D. Corre ◽  
E. Veldkamp ◽  
J. P. Sueta
Keyword(s):  
Growth Period ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Stem Growth ◽  
Soil Co2 Efflux ◽  
Co2 Efflux ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Soil Co2 ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Soil Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Decadal Scale

Abstract. Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is rapidly increasing in tropical regions. We studied the response of soil carbon dioxide CO2 efflux to long-term experimental N-addition (125 kg N ha−1 yr-1) in mature lowland and montane forests in Panamá. In the lowland forest, on soils with high nutrient-supplying and buffering capacity, fine litterfall and stem-growth were neither N- nor phosphorus-limited. In the montane forest, on soils with low nutrient supplying capacity and an organic layer, fine litterfall and stem-growth were N-limited. Our objectives were to 1) explore the influence of soil temperature and moisture on the dynamics of soil CO2 efflux and 2) determine the responses of soil CO2 efflux from an N-rich and N-limited forest to elevated N input. Annual soil CO2-C efflux was larger from the lowland (15.20±1.25 Mg C ha−1) than the montane forest (9.36±0.29 Mg C ha−1). In the lowland forest, soil moisture explained the largest fraction of the variance in soil CO2 efflux while soil temperature was the main explanatory variable in the montane forest. Soil CO2 efflux in the lowland forest did not differ between the control and 9–11 yr N-addition plots, suggesting that chronic N input to nutrient-rich tropical lowland forests on well-buffered soils may not change their C balance in decadal scale. In the montane forest, first year N addition did not affect soil CO2 efflux but annual CO2 efflux was reduced by 14% and 8% in the 2- and 3 yr N-addition plots, respectively, compared to the control. This reduction was caused by a decrease in soil CO2 efflux during the high stem-growth period of the year, suggesting a shift in carbon partitioning from below- to aboveground in the N-addition plots where stem diameter growth was promoted.

Habitat and fig characteristics influence the bird assemblage and network properties of fig trees from Xishuangbanna, South-West China

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sawat Sanitjan ◽  
Jin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Frugivorous Bird ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Fig Trees ◽  
Individual Trees

Abstract:To understand how fruit tree characteristics and microhabitats shape the assemblage of birds on fig trees and the pattern of fig–bird interactions, we observed and recorded, over 96 d and 816 h, the frugivorous birds visiting 32 individual trees belonging to 14 species of Ficus that were distributed across four different sites. A total of 30 bird species were recorded as eating figs, comprising 66.7% of the total number of frugivorous bird species recorded at the four sites. Small passerine birds such as bulbuls were the dominant frugivores for fig species. The number of bird species visiting different fig trees was significantly influenced by the crop size and canopy volume. Fruit colour and fruit size did not significantly influence the number of bird species, whereas habitats appeared to influence the composition of visiting birds. The fig–frugivorous bird interaction was asymmetrically structured, and the degree of nestedness appeared to be influenced by the forest type and degree of disturbance: the degree of nestedness in non-limestone forest tended to be higher than limestone forest; forest with less disturbance tend to be more nested compared with the open forest with high disturbance.

Seed dispersal effectiveness by frugivorous birds: Identifying functional equivalent species in bird assemblages

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Facundo Xavier Palacio
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Kernel Functions ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Seed Dispersal Effectiveness ◽  
Bird Assemblages ◽  
Functional Equivalent ◽  
Dispersal Effectiveness

Seed dispersal by birds is a pivotal ecosystem function worldwide; yet, the rapid and ongoing global biodiversity loss poses a major threat to this essential ecosystem service. Seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) is a key outcome of the interaction, represented by the product of seed dispersal quantity (number of seed dispersed) and quality (probability of recruitment of dispersed seeds). Therefore, identifying functional equivalent species in terms of SDE should become a key issue for bird conservation, since the effects of local extinctions on seed dispersal services may be weakened by remaining equivalent species. However, a method to quantitatively identify functional equivalent species in frugivorous bird assemblages is still lacking. To estimate SDE overlap between seed dispersers and assess whether two species may be functionally equivalent, I apply a novel nonparametric niche overlap index based on kernel functions and null models to test its statistical significance. For each bird species, I account for intraspecific variation in seed dispersal effectiveness to obtain a distribution of seed dispersal effectiveness values, an often neglected source of variation in seed dispersal assemblages. Non-significant differences in seed dispersal effectiveness overlap support the hypothesis that two species are functional equivalent, thus playing similar functional roles. The model proposed is applicable to any other quantity or quality component and is independent from the method or sampling design used to quantify SDE. The identification of functional equivalent species in seed dispersal assemblages adds to the theoretical framework of seed dispersal effectiveness and offers new insights into the ecology of the seed dispersal service provided by birds.

Fig-eating by birds in a Malaysian lowland rain forest

1989 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Rain Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Lowland Rain Forest

ABSTRACTSixty bird species ate the figs of 29 Ficus taxa at a lowland forest site in Peninsular Malaysia. Although most bird-eaten figs were brightly coloured, four Ficus species produced dull-coloured ripe fruits. Whilst there was tremendous overlap in the sizes of figs eaten by different bird species, data presented show that the fig resource was partitioned by birds. Large birds were commoner visitors to large-fruited Ficus, but small birds tended to eat small figs. Within two avian genera, the Treron pigeons and Megalaima barbets, there was distinct partitioning of figs consumed according to fig size.

scholarly journals Habitat and population estimates of some threatened lowland forest bird species in Tambopata, south-east Peru

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
HUW LLOYD
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Floodplain Forest ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Forest Bird ◽  
Madre De Dios ◽  
Forest Habitats

Surveys of threatened lowland forest bird species and forest habitats were conducted during a 21-month census of lowland bird communities in Tambopata, Department of Madre de Dios, south-east Peru. A combination of distance sampling census methods and direct counts was used for the census in five sites located along the Rio Madre de Dios and Rio Tambopata. All five sites consisted of different forest types with significantly different habitat components. Three of these sites were classified as primary forest habitats whilst the remaining two were classified as disturbed forests. Population densities were calculated for eight of the threatened species recorded during the census. Density estimates of non-bamboo specialists were higher in primary forest habitats than in disturbed forest habitats. Density estimates of most bamboo specialists were higher in primary Old Floodplain forest with extensive bamboo understorey than in primary Middle/Upper Floodplain forest with smaller, patchy areas of bamboo understorey. Calculation of regional population estimates based on the amount of forest cover from satellite photographs shows that only two of the threatened bird species have substantial populations currently protected by the Parque Nacional Bahuaja-Sonene and Reservada Nacional de Tambopata. Selective logging operations that reduce overall tree biomass and remove a large proportion of palm tree species from primary forest habitats will have an adverse affect on local populations of four of the threatened bird species in the region.

scholarly journals Conservation status of birds on Mindoro, Philippines

1992 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy C. L. Dutson ◽  
Tom D. Evans ◽  
Thomas M. Brooks ◽  
Desiderio C. Asane ◽  
Robert J. Timmins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Concerted Action ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
Forest Remnants ◽  
The Status

SummaryFour weeks of fieldwork in the forests of Mindoro, Philippines, in 1991 has elucidated the status of the six bird species endemic to the island. Of these, Ducula mindorensis and Otus mindorensis are high-altitude species with restricted ranges and in need of active conservation in the medium term. Three of the four lowland species, Gallicolumba platenae, Centropus steerü and Penelopides mindorensis are under immediate threat of extinction through forest clearance and fragmentation, while the fourth, Dicaeum retrocinctum, s i not under immediate threat but is certainly at risk of extinction in the long term. Whilst deforestation is an enormous problem across the entire Philippines, Mindoro is the smallest centre of endemism with the least forest cover after the Sulu Islands. Extinctions are believed inevitable within the next 10 years unless concerted action is urgently taken. The Halcon range must receive attention in order to conserve the montane species, but more urgent by far is the preservation of lowland forest remnants, concentrating on central-west Mindoro.

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