dc.description.abstract |
Ethiopia is one of the top 25 biodiversity rich countries in the world. The country owned about 867 species of birds with high level of endemism. The aim of this study is to investigate diversity, abundance and habitat association of bird species in Menagesha Amba Mariam and Gara Medhanialem forest. The study was conducted from August 2018 to March 2019 by considering the wet and dry seasons. Based on topographic map and preliminary survey, three habitat types were identified comprise forest, woodland and farmland. Stratified random sampling technique was employed based on habitat type and vegetation composition. A total of 25 sampling plots were randomly selected from the study habitats based on the type of vegetation. Point transect techniques was applied in forest and woodland habitats and line transects technique was used in the farmland habitat. Observation was carried out from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM in the morning and from 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the afternoon when birds well active. Shannon diversity index and chi-square test were employed for data analysis. A total of 120 bird species that belong to 16 orders and 44 families were recorded. Three are endemic to Ethiopia and eleven species endemic to both Ethiopia and Eritrea. One Intra-Africa migrant and the remaining are near endemic and resident species were also recorded during the study period. The highest species diversity (H'=3.60) was recorded from the forest habitat and the lowest (H'=2.95) in the farm land. The highest species similarity (S=0.4) was observed between forest and woodland habitats, but the similarity was the least (S=0.082) between forest and farmland habitats. The woodland habitat was found to be with the highest species evenness (H'/Hmax=0.95) and the farmland habitat was the lowest (H'/Hmax =0.86) during the wet and dry seasons respectively. The association of bird species with habitat was statistically significantly different in wet season (χ2= 1702.9, df =180, p=0.000) and in dry season (χ2=1497.5, df=172, p=0.000).The abundance of birds in wet and dry seasons was statistically significant different in wet season (χ2 =1504.8, df = 90, p = 0.000) and in dry season (χ2 =1842.7, df = 86, p= 0.000).Availability of food, water and nesting sites were the major factors determining the diversity and abundance of birds. Destruction of forest for fuel wood and open livestock grazing were the main activities observed to affect birds’ diversity. Government officials and local community participation is needed for conservation of Menagesha Forest resources.
Keywords/phrase: Abundance, Bird species, Diversity and Habitat association, Menagesh forest |
en_US |