Community Structure, Conservation Status, and Functional Groups of Bird Species in Mbeya Range Forests, Tanzania
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Date
2022-03-07
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Science Education Technology
Abstract
The Mbeya range forest reserves (MRFRs) of the southern highland of Tanzania
are an important hotspot for biodiversity conservation. However, its avian
biodiversity has hardly ever been studied. Thus, for the first time, this study
presents the inventory of bird species from MRFRs, demonstrating community
structure, functional group, and conservation status. The study was carried out in
four forest areas (i.e., Idugumbi, Kawetire, Mount Loleza, and Muvwa) within the
MRFRs. The bird survey was carried out monthly between March 2018 and June
2018. Standardised line and point counts, as well as mist netting, were used to
collect data. A total of 1052 individual birds, representing 41 species and 22
families, were recorded. Relative abundance, Shannon and Simpson species
diversity, and species richness were high in Idugumbi forest and lowest in Kawetire
forest. Species diversity differed significantly between the four forest areas.
Moreover, Idugumbi and Muvwa had relatively low species composition
dissimilarity compared to other forest areas. Different bird functional groups, i.e.,
insectivores, granivores, nectarivores, carnivores, frugivores, or combinations of
these, were recorded in MRFRs. The insectivores were twice as abundant as
granivores and nectarivores. The multi–layered vegetation structure of native
plants in the Idugumbi forest appears to benefit and contribute to bird communities.
The study reveals that MRFRs are an important hotspot for bird species that
require ecological monitoring and protection. As a result, appropriate land–use
practices near MRFRs should be followed to ensure long–term avian conservation
Description
This Journal article was published by Science Education Technology in 2022