Roadside Birds in Punjab (India): Relation to Mortality from Vehicles

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjit S. Dhindsa ◽  
Jaswinder S. Sandhu ◽  
P.S. Sandhu ◽  
H.S. Toor
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Common Myna ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
On The Road

Roadside bird mortality is a new environmental dimension in developing countries. With the recent increase in the number of high-speed cars and the simultaneous improvement of roads in India, bird-car strikes and the resultant bird mortality are becoming important. To know how many species frequent roads in Punjab and thus may be prone to be killed by fast vehicles, we censused birds along 420 km of roads of different widths and traffic volumes from a vehicle moving at 50–60 km per hour. We also counted birds along transects c. 1 km away from roads, for comparison.In all, 35 species of birds were recorded on the road proper or within 3 m of either edge. Common Myna (Acridotheres trisitis) was the most abundant species (34.8% of all birds), followed by House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (29.5%), Ring Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) (13.1%), and House Crow (Corvus splendens) (9.7%). These four species together accounted for c. 87% of the total of all bird species. The off-road community consisted of 68 species. The species-richness of granivorous, insectivorous, omnivorous, and some other birds, was less on or near roads than in the off-road transects, but within each community, species having different feeding habits were in similar proportions. About 93% of the total birds on or near roads (as against 66% off-road) were either granivorous or omnivorous.Our results suggested that granivorous birds are attracted, but insectivorous and other birds are repelled, by roads. Omnivores were equally abundant on and off roads. Food (such as spilled grain) seemed to be the main factor attracting birds to roads. Species diversity and equitability of the bird community on roads (1.82 and 0.51, respectively) were less than those off-roads (3.11 and 0.74, respectively). Wider roads had lower species-diversity and equitability, probably because of the greater volume of traffic on them compared with narrower roads. Species richness and bird abundance seemed not to be affected by roadwidth. Bird mortality on roads is discussed, along with the possibility of roads acting as “ecological traps” for foraging birds.

scholarly journals Fire effects on the composition of a bird community in an amazonian Savanna (Brazil)

2005 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Cintra ◽  
T. M. Sanaiotti
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Byrsonima Crassifolia ◽  
Mist Net

The effects of fire on the composition of a bird community were investigated in an Amazonian savanna near Alter-do-Chão, Pará (Brazil). Mist-net captures and visual counts were used to assess species richness and bird abundance pre- and post-fire in an approximately 20 ha area. Visual counts along transects were used to survey birds in an approximately 2000 ha area in a nearby area. Results using the same method of ordination analysis (multidimensional scaling) showed significant effects of fire in the 20 ha and 2000 ha areas and strongly suggest direct effects on bird community composition. However, the effects were different at different spatial scales and/or in different years, indicating that the effects of fire vary spatially and/or temporally. Bird community composition pre-fire was significantly different from that found post-fire. Using multiple regression analysis it was found that the numbers of burned and unburned trees were not significantly related to either bird species richness or bird abundance. Two months after the fire, neither bird species richness nor bird abundance was significantly related to the number of flowering trees (Lafoensia pacari) or fruiting trees (Byrsonima crassifolia). Since fire is an annual event in Alter-do-Chão and is becoming frequent in the entire Amazon, bird community composition in affected areas could be constantly changing in time and space.

scholarly journals Winter bird abundance, species richness and functional guild composition at Delhi’s ponds: does time of day and wetland extent matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prakhar Rawal ◽  
Swati Kittur ◽  
Murali Krishna Chatakonda ◽  
K S Gopi Sundar
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Functional Guilds ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Functional Guild ◽  
Guild Composition

Abstract Urbanisation can limit species persistence and bias composition of functional guilds with serious consequences for ecosystem functioning and conservation planning. Standardised biodiversity surveys are missing at most tropical urban cities where biodiversity levels are high alongside rapidly increasing rates of urbanisation. We explored the utility of time-bound surveys to document winter birds at ponds (wetlands ≤ 5 ha) in Delhi, India at two different times of the day (morning and evening) and in areas with varying extents of wetlands. Systematic surveys at 39 ponds during January–March 2020 yielded an estimated 173 ± 22 bird species (∼37% of Delhi’s birds). The total bird species assemblage at ponds did not vary significantly with time of day, but β-diversity increased marginally with increasing extent of wetlands. Total bird abundance and species richness varied substantially with time of day, with differences apparent across several species rich functional feeding and habitat guilds. Abundance and species richness of some guilds, including species-poor guilds, varied in ponds located in areas with differing extent of wetlands. Reliable and comparable measures of species abundance and species richness (both total and across functional guilds)— metrics commonly used to set research and conservation priorities—in urban habitats can be obtained after appropriately standardising field effort. Such standardised efforts can help underscore the importance of maintaining and improving erstwhile-ignored habitats such as unprotected ponds that are providing refugia to hundreds of bird species in mega-cities like Delhi.

scholarly journals The variation of bird diversity in various oil palm land cover in North Mamuju, West Sulawesi, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sitti Ramlah ◽  
YANTO SANTOSA ◽  
NYOTO SANTOSO ◽  
SITI BADRIYAH RUSHAYATI
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
High Species Diversity ◽  
Bird Species Diversity

Abstract. Ramlah S, Santosa Y, Santoso N, Rushayati SB. 2021. The variation of bird diversity in various oil palm land cover in North Mamuju, West Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3068-3074. The development of oil palm plantations provides various positive impacts. On the other hand, this development is suspected to bring negative impacts on biodiversity, especially reducing bird species diversity. Based on the other research, well-managed oil palm plantations that maintain high conservation value areas have high species diversity. This study aimed to identify bird species diversity in different types of oil palm plantation land covers in North Mamuju. Data observation of bird species was performed using the transect method. There were 4 transects on each land cover. The results of this study showed that the young oil palm area had a high index of diversity and species richness. The high species diversity in the young palm area was caused by habitat variations. There was a water flow that provides more feed sources. The distance between the young oil palm area and secondary forest area affected the number of species, species richness and diversity of bird species. The category of insectivore guild which included aerial insectivores and insectivores was the dominant guild in all types of land cover, both in the number of species and the number of individual abundances.

Vegetation on and around large-scale buildings positively influences native tropical bird abundance and bird species richness

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard N. Belcher ◽  
Keren R. Sadanandan ◽  
Emmanuel R. Goh ◽  
Jie Yi Chan ◽  
Sacha Menz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Tropical Bird

scholarly journals Species Diversity and Abundance of Birds along Boat Touring Routes for Ecotourism in Tha-kha Sub-District, Amphawa District, Samut Songkram Province, Thailand

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (22) ◽  
pp. 1389
Author(s):  
Nitinarth Charoenpokaraj ◽  
Petchpanom Chitman
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Similarity Index ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Migratory Season ◽  
Local Ecosystem

Tha-kha Floating Market is a famous tourist attraction in Tha Kha sub-district, Amphawa district, Samut Songkram Province, Thailand. There are Thai paddle-boats for tourists to get close to nature and local people lifestyle along the canals. The objectives of this research were (1) to study species diversity, feeding behavior and status of birds in the research area. (2) to analyze abundance and similarity of birds in the research area. The data was carried out by field survey of species of birds and their behaviors sighted directly and from their calls by using line transect method then classify species, feeding behavior and status of birds, analyze their abundance and similarity in three routes. Three boat touring routes were surveyed; route 1 (Tha Kha floating market—homestay), route 2 (Tha Kha floating market—Thai traditional sugar making kiln), and route 3 (Thai traditional sugar making kiln—resort). The survey was conducted in the morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. One survey was made each month from April 2017–March 2018. The result of this research found that there were 15 orders, 37 families and 74 species of birds. The highest number of bird species in 3 routes was 49 species in December and 47 species in November accordingly because it was migratory season of migratory birds in the research area. According to bird feeding behavior, the maximum insectivorous bird species of 35 were found in 3 routes. According to status of birds, 52 resident birds, 9 migratory birds, 13 resident and migratory birds were found in 3 routes. According to bird abundance, 21 bird species were in level 5, 7 bird species in level 4, 20 bird species in level 3, 9 bird species in level 2 and 17 bird species in level 1. According to bird similarity index, the similarity index between route 1 and route 3 was 0.814. The community also organized eco-touring activities by using Thai paddle-boats. So the birds are as indicators of natural balance of local ecosystem.

scholarly journals Avifauna within the Main Campus of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 1246-1252
Author(s):  
Hassan A Rudayni
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Avian Diversity ◽  
Main Campus ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index ◽  
New Policies

Avian diversity of two zones within the main campus of IMSIU University was studied during the period from July 2019 to June 2020. A total number of 1,653 individual birds was recorded across the main campus which falls under fifteen species belonging to thirteen families. Out of this number, 760 individual of them were recorded in Zone-A versus 893 individual in Zone-B. Species richness in Zone-A was 15 while species richness in Zone-B was 13. Census index of the Birds was recorded as follows: 4.6 Birds/ha and 7.9 Birds/ha in both Zones A and B, respectively. Bird species sighted was higher in Zone-B as compared with Zone-A, as indicated by Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H) which accounts for 1.83 in Zone-A and 1.65 in Zone-B. Pigeon (Columba livia), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) were among the most frequently sighted. From the current study, it is recommended that Zone-B be pedestrianized for the enrichment and protection of the avian species. Also, new policies should be put forward by the relevant authority within the main campus to maintain avian diversity, such as expanding afforestation and green landscapes, in addition to the establishment of artificial lakes and ponds.

scholarly journals A field test of the dilution effect hypothesis in four avian multi-host pathogens

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. e1009637
Author(s):  
Martina Ferraguti ◽  
Josué Martínez-de la Puente ◽  
Miguel Ángel Jiménez–Clavero ◽  
Francisco Llorente ◽  
David Roiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Effect Hypothesis ◽  
Community Variables

The Dilution Effect Hypothesis (DEH) argues that greater biodiversity lowers the risk of disease and reduces the rates of pathogen transmission since more diverse communities harbour fewer competent hosts for any given pathogen, thereby reducing host exposure to the pathogen. DEH is expected to operate most intensely in vector-borne pathogens and when species-rich communities are not associated with increased host density. Overall, dilution will occur if greater species diversity leads to a lower contact rate between infected vectors and susceptible hosts, and between infected hosts and susceptible vectors. Field-based tests simultaneously analysing the prevalence of several multi-host pathogens in relation to host and vector diversity are required to validate DEH. We tested the relationship between the prevalence in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) of four vector-borne pathogens–three avian haemosporidians (including the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium and the malaria-like parasites Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) and West Nile virus (WNV)–and vertebrate diversity. Birds were sampled at 45 localities in SW Spain for which extensive data on vector (mosquitoes) and vertebrate communities exist. Vertebrate censuses were conducted to quantify avian and mammal density, species richness and evenness. Contrary to the predictions of DEH, WNV seroprevalence and haemosporidian prevalence were not negatively associated with either vertebrate species richness or evenness. Indeed, the opposite pattern was found, with positive relationships between avian species richness and WNV seroprevalence, and Leucocytozoon prevalence being detected. When vector (mosquito) richness and evenness were incorporated into the models, all the previous associations between WNV prevalence and the vertebrate community variables remained unchanged. No significant association was found for Plasmodium prevalence and vertebrate community variables in any of the models tested. Despite the studied system having several characteristics that should favour the dilution effect (i.e., vector-borne pathogens, an area where vector and host densities are unrelated, and where host richness is not associated with an increase in host density), none of the relationships between host species diversity and species richness, and pathogen prevalence supported DEH and, in fact, amplification was found for three of the four pathogens tested. Consequently, the range of pathogens and communities studied needs to be broadened if we are to understand the ecological factors that favour dilution and how often these conditions occur in nature.

scholarly journals Bird Diversity in Nensebo Moist Afromontane Forest Fragment, South Eastern Ethiopia.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ziyad Jemal ◽  
Zerihun Girma ◽  
Girma Mengesha
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Afromontane Forest ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

Background: Birds are one component of biodiversity. Ethiopia is rich in biodiversity resources. The avian diversity record is far from complete. There is no scientifically documented information on bird species composition and abundance at Nensebo forest. The objective of the study was to assess species composition, relative abundance and distribution of birds at Nensebo forest in southern Ethiopia. Methods: We employed a stratified random sampling technique with our study area stratified into two dominant habitat types: moist Afromontane forest and modified habitat. Within strata, we established 20 transect lines of 1km length and 0.25km width to sample 27.75% of the study area. We used line transect count methods aided by binoculars to estimate avian species diversity and distribution. We employed quantitative biodiversity indices, such as Shannon wiener diversity indexes to compare species diversity among habitat types and two way ANOVA to analyze the effect of season and habitat on bird species richness and abundance. Results: A total of 105 bird species consisting of 1 endemic, 8 near endemic, 1 globally threatened and 9 Palearctic migrants were recorded in Nensebo forest. Species richness and abundance varied between habitat types in Nensebo forest with mean species richness greater in modified habitat (mean= 4.70 ±1.65) as compared to moist Afromontane forest habitat (mean= 3.95 ±4.12, F=94.66 P<0.001). Additionally, modified habitat (Shannon diversity index= 4.131) harbored higher diversity of birds as opposed to Afromontane forest habitat (Shannon diversity index=3.79). Conclusion: The Nensebo forest has high avian species diversity including several endemic and endangered species revealing the importance of this site for bird conservation. Although we found that habitat heterogeneity favored bird species diversity, moist Afromontane habitat is critical for forest obligate species. Hence, sustainable bird conservation strategies including land use planning should be initiated for this area.

Changes in bird abundance following Common Myna control on aNew Zealand island

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. David Tindall ◽  
C. John Ralph ◽  
M. N. Clout
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
The North ◽  
Common Myna ◽  
Acridotheres Tristis ◽  
Land Bird ◽  
And Control

We censused land bird populations on a small island during a year of intense trapping of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis. We successfully removed mynas on Moturoa Island, Bay of Islands, with populations on the island decreasing In most areas, while holding steady on other, nearby islands where no trapping was conducted. The populations of many other bird species increased coincidently with the removal of mynas. This was most notable in the Tui Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, Grey Warbler Gerygone igata, and Blackbird Turdus merula. Of 60 species-route comparisons, we found that 23 (38%) increased, 33 (55%) had no change, and only four (7%) decreased. The relative role of rats Rattus spp. and succession is also discussed. Tile historical decline of many species in the North Island of New Zealand may have been related to the concomitant increase of tile myna, and control of this species may be warranted in some cases, especially where restoration of the native fauna is the objective.

Does post-mining rehabilitation restore habitat equivalent to that removed by mining? A case study from the monsoonal tropics of northern Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan F. Gould
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Bird Assemblages ◽  
Mine Rehabilitation ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Mining Rehabilitation

Context Rehabilitation is increasingly being promoted as a strategy for minimising and even reversing biodiversity loss. Many rehabilitation strategies that aim to provide habitat focus entirely on establishing vegetation. Successful vegetation establishment, however, does not necessarily provide habitat that is ecologically equivalent to that removed by vegetation clearing. Quantitative understanding of faunal responses to rehabilitation is required if rehabilitation techniques are to be refined and deliver desired biodiversity outcomes. Aims I aimed to assess the extent to which post-mining rehabilitation restores bird habitat equivalent to that removed in the mining process on the Weipa bauxite plateau. Methods The composition, abundance and richness of bird assemblages were compared between native forest sites and a 23-year chronosequence of post-mining rehabilitation sites. Native forest sites were made up of three Weipa bauxite plateau land units, including the land unit that represents pre-mining native forest, and two land units that are considered to be potential analogues for the post-mining landscape. Key results Bird abundance and bird species richness increased with rehabilitation age. Bird species richness in the two oldest age classes of mine rehabilitation was similar to values obtained from pre-mining native forest and post-mining landscape analogue sites. The composition of bird assemblages, however, was significantly different. Of all the bird species observed, 25% occurred exclusively in native forest sites, 19% occurred exclusively in mine-rehabilitation sites, and the remaining 56% were recorded in both native forest and mine-rehabilitation sites. Site bird-detection rates were significantly related to site vegetation structure, with inter-specific differences in bird response. Conclusions Post-mining rehabilitation at Weipa has partially made up for the loss of habitat caused by clearing for mining. Twenty-three years after rehabilitation commenced, however, a clear residual impact on biodiversity remains, with a third of native forest birds absent from mine rehabilitation, including several native forest specialists. Implications Rehabilitation can partially make up for biodiversity losses caused by the initial loss of habitat. There is no evidence, however, that rehabilitation can achieve ‘no net loss’. Reliance on rehabilitation to achieve conservation outcomes does not address the fact that many fauna species require resources that are found only in mature forest.

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