Assessment of bird diversity in selected landscape types in Awka, Anambra State Nigeria
Obudulu, C.
Abstract
This study assesses bird diversity across various landscape types, revealing significant differences in bird abundance, species richness, and diversity metrics. A total of 426 birds encompassing 55 species were recorded, averaging 85 birds per site. The forest exhibited the highest mean bird abundance (116) and species richness (28), significantly surpassing the oil palm plantations (101 abundance, 16.5 richness) and shrub lands (54 abundance, 15 richness). Statistical analyses confirmed significant differences in bird abundance (F=44.49, P=0.006) and species richness (F=121.4, P=0.001) among these landscapes. The Yellow-billed barbet was the most prevalent species, while a range of orders, particularly Passeriformes, showed high occurrence rates. Diversity indices demonstrated significant variations, with the forest (3.012) showing the highest diversity, while mean dominance was highest in palm plantations (0.105). Evenness metrics indicated no significant differences across landscapes (F=4.41, P=0.1277). The study also categorized feeding guilds, identifying 15 distinct categories, with variations in abundance linked to landscape type. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of forest habitats for avian diversity and highlight the impact of landscape types on bird communities, providing critical insights for conservation efforts and landscape management.
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