Bird communities and feeding guilds from three land use types in Kerian River Basin, Perak
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Date
2002-02
Authors
Azman, Nur Munira
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Abstract
Land conversion activity has caused losses in a vast number of bird species.
Bird status in secondary forest (SF), oil palm plantation (OP) and paddy fields (PF)
were documented from March 2009-February 2010 at study sites in Kerian River
Basin (KRB). The objectives of this study were to determine the current bird species
present in the study areas, to analyze variation of feeding guilds in different habitat
types and to identify suitability area for selected threatened bird species. Point count
and mist-netting methods were used for bird census in SF and OP, while only point
count method was used in PF. Feeding guilds were determined for each species
recorded. Map of suitability areas for threatened Pycnonotidae were identified for
conservation purposes using Geographical Information System (GIS) and MultiCriteria
Decision Analysis (MCDA). A total of 183 species representing 49 families
were recorded at all study sites. Secondary forest scored 106 species, followed by
PF with 70 species and OP with 58 species. The highest abundance of bird families
observed in SF was Pycnonotidae (26.65%), Hemiprocnidae (19.77%) and
Muscicapidae (7.10%); in OP, Pycnonotidae (21.59%), Muscicapidae (19.12%) and
Sturnidae (17.95%); in PF, Ardeidae (29.09%), Sturnidae (10.15%) and Hirundinidae
(7.86%). Alternative hypothesis established that the abundance of species is
different across habitat types, F(2,105) = 99.83, p < 0.05. Eight feeding guilds were
identified in paddy field and seven in both secondary forest and oil palm plantation.
If forests were converted to OP feeding guild could possibly change with a decreased
in insectivore, insectivore-frugivore, insectivore-nectarivore and frugivore species;
and increased in carnivore, grainivore and omnivore species. If forests were
converted to PF feeding guild could possibly change with a decreased in insectivore,
insectivore-frugivore and frugivore species; and increased in carnivore, insectivorenectarivore,
insectivore-grainivore, grainivore and omnivore species. Comparison
between SF and OP with Mann-Whitney U-test showed significant differences in six
feeding guilds, including insectivore, insectivore-frugivore, insectivore-nectarivore,
frugivore, grainivore and omnivore. Comparison between SF and PF showed
significant differences in five feeding guilds, comprising of carnivore, insectivoregrainivore,
frugivore, grainivore and omnivore. Comparison between OP and PF
showed all feeding guilds to be significantly different. Suitability area map
generated for near-threatened Pycnonotidae indicates upper part of KRB,
characterized by forest, as the most suitable habitat for conservation. This analysis
demonstrated SF was inhabited by forest dependent species sensitive to habitat
disturbance, most absent in OP. Complex vegetation in forest offers more niches,
with higher plant and insect diversity to support more bird species. In contrast, PF, a
temporary wetland, support predominantly various waterbirds and migratory species
such as Bubulcus coromandus, Circus melanoleucos and Vanellus cinereus.
Description
Keywords
Feeding guilds , Kerian River Basin, Perak