Species Composition and Relative Abundance of Birds at Nansebo Forest, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is rich in biodiversity resources. Birds are one of the components of biodiversity. The status of birds in the present study areas is very little known. The objective of the study was to assess species composition and relative abundance of birds at geremba mountain fragment in southern Ethiopia. A stratified random sampling technique was employed. Accordingly, to collect data for the study, the whole habitat of the study area was each divided into dominant vegetation types. Consequently, Modified habitat, Alpine bamboo forest, and Sub-Afro alpine /Ericaceous belt were identified in geremba mountain fragment. A line transects count aided by binocular was employed to investigate avian species diversity, relative abundance and habitat association. Thus, 10 transect lines of 0.75km with a width of 0.15km or less was used to cover 30% of the area in geremba mountain fragment. Quantitative Biodiversity indices such as H’,E ,γ and α to measure species richness were used to calculate the bird species diversity and two way- ANOVA was used to test for significant variation in species richness and abundance per season among habitats. A total of 74 bird species consisting of 5 near endemics, 2 globally threatened and 3 Palearctic migrants were recorded in geremba mountain fragment. Species richness and abundance varied between the three habitats in geremba mountain fragment. There was significant difference in species richness among habitats in geremba mountain fragment (F2, 11=54.932 P=0.000) at 0.001 significance level. In geremba mountain fragment the highest Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’ = 3.78) was recorded from the modified habitat while the lowest from the Sub Afro -alpine habitat (H’ = 1.84). It can be concluded that the area has high species diversity good potential for bird watching tourism that can integrate economic gain with biodiversity conservation. Hence, urgent conservation measures and further detail research is recommended to conserve the bird species.

Keywords/Phrases: Avian species, Habitat types, Species richness, Species similarity

DOI: 10.7176/ALST/70-01