IJCRR - 8(2), January, 2016
Pages: 74-83
FOOD AVAILABILITY INFLUENCES THE SEASONALITY OF BIRD COMMUNITY IN TROPICAL FOREST, WESTERN GHATS
Author: T. Nirmala
Category: Healthcare
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Abstract:
Seasonal changes of bird communities in relation with food availability were studied in the mixed dry deciduous forest (MDDF) of Western Ghats. Bird population was estimated using variable width line transect method. Vertical distribution of foliage was sampled in each transect. 51 species of plants comprising 255 individuals were marked for phenological studies. Sweep sampling, visual count, mechanical knock down, light trap, aerial trap and pitfall trap were used for the estimation of arthropods. Bird abundance was high during north-east monsoon and low during south-west monsoon. Total number of species during south-west monsoon was 90 (63%). The main winter visitors were Lesser Whitethroat, Dull Green Leaf-warbler, Blyth’s Reedwarbler and Brown Shrike. Species richness was higher during northeast monsoon. Bird Species diversity was found to be greater in MDDF. Winter visitors were high during northeast monsoon. Abundance of birds during different seasons was positively correlated with increasing winter visitor (r = 0.993, p = .001) and this community was largely dominated by insectivore guild. The abundance of arthropod influenced the bird species richness significantly and rainfall showed significant positive correlation with richness of birds. Insect and bird abundance showed significant positive correlation. Increase of Young and mature leaf had no significant correlation with bird abundance. There was a positive significant correlation between Foliage Height Diversity and Bird Species Diversity in all the seasons except summer proving “Higher foliage profile layers harbour more species”.Total abundance of birds was significantly correlated with total insect abundance.
Keywords: MDDF, Food, Seasonality, Bird community, Tropical forest & foliage height diversity
Citation:
T. Nirmala. FOOD AVAILABILITY INFLUENCES THE SEASONALITY OF BIRD COMMUNITY IN TROPICAL FOREST, WESTERN GHATS International Journal of Current Research and Review. 8(2), January, 74-83
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