The influence of forest characteristics on avian species richness and functional diversity in Southern Mistbelt Forests of South Africa

Gumede, S. Thobeka; Smith, David A. Ehlers; Ngcobo, Samukelisiwe P.; Sosibo, Mbalenhle T.; Smith, Yvette C. Ehlers; Downs, Colleen T.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02047

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…Te retention of most resources (food, water, nesting materials, nesting grounds, and cover from predation) in the nonbreeding season (dry season) attracts more wildlife to the riparian forest compared to the woodland and grassland. Te shortage of food resources and nesting grounds in the grassland, for instance, may have forced some species and functional groups to use the riparian habitat, hence accounting for the higher diversity and abundance of avifauna communities in the riparian forest, as found in other studies [87][88][89]. A study by de Deus et al [78] made similar observations in which the diversity of functional groups varied between two habitat types (forests and savannas) but did not signifcantly vary across the seasons.…”

Section: Variations In Species and Functional Diversity Measuresmentioning

confidence: 67%

Variations in Avian Species and Functional Diversity in Different Habitat Types in a Vulnerable Savannah Ecosystem in Ghana

Sulemana

Monney

Deikumah

2022

International Journal of Ecology

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Most research on avian functional diversity in the tropics is focused on forest and agroecosystems, leaving a gap in knowledge about the effects of habitat types on functional diversity in savannah landscapes. Savanna ecosystems are fragile and are under threat of anthropogenic destruction, particularly in developing Sub-Saharan Africa and could be eliminated in the face of the ever-increasing human population exacerbated by the changing climate. This study investigated the influence of the three major habitat types (grassland, riparian forest, woodland) on bird species and functional diversity in the Mole National Park (MNP) in Ghana. We used the line transect method to survey birds along 39 transects, each 1 km in length, and collected data on environmental variables along the same transects. Data from these surveys was used to estimate species and functional diversity indicators. We found significant variations in species and functional diversity measures between the three habitat types in the MNP. These variations were significantly influenced by species abundance and environmental covariates. Diversity measures were particularly higher in the riparian forest habitats compared to the woodland and grassland, with the latter being the least diverse habitat both functionally and species wise. The results of this study suggest that the avifauna assemblages in MNP are largely influenced by the riparian forest and are important for ecosystem function and stability. We recommend management efforts to intensify the protection of such vital habitats of the Mole National Park from illegal human activities, especially the rising removal and export of rosewoods (Dalbergia nigra) around the park. Further research on the avian community composition and structure in the MNP is recommended.

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Section: Variations In Species and Functional Diversity Measuresmentioning

confidence: 67%

Variations in Avian Species and Functional Diversity in Different Habitat Types in a Vulnerable Savannah Ecosystem in Ghana

Sulemana

Monney

Deikumah

2022

International Journal of Ecology

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“…Birds are an important taxon to study the influence of forest structure and composition because they are habitat quality indicators and respond relatively quickly to environmental change (Boesing et al, 2018 ; Cosset et al, 2020 ). In the last decade, most studies investigating the effects of either forest structure or composition on bird species diversity at a landscape level have mainly focussed on the functional biodiversity aspect (Benedetti et al, 2020 ; Broms et al, 2016 ; Bueno et al, 2018 ; Burivalova et al, 2015 ; Ehlers Smith et al, 2017a , 2018 ; Gumede, Ehlers Smith, Ngcobo, et al, 2022 ; Ngcobo et al, 2022 ). This approach has been driven by conservation strategies increasingly targeting maintaining ecological functions (Mace, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study using camera traps to assess species habitat use showed bird species‐specific vertical stratification patterns in temperate forests (Godoy‐Güinao et al, 2023 ). Among others, bird habitat selection in forest systems is influenced by the structural features of forests like deadwood, canopy cover, canopy openness (Bradfer‐Lawrence et al, 2020 ) and vertical foliage cover (grass, shrub, herbaceous, tree) and height (Gumede, Ehlers Smith, Ngcobo, et al, 2022 ; Maseko et al, 2019 ). Several studies have linked habitat selection and use to habitat quality and resource availability (Anderson et al, 1979 ; Böhm & Kalko, 2009 ; Thiel et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Avian species functional diversity and habitat use: The role of forest structural attributes and tree diversity in the Midlands Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

Bitani,

Cordier,

Ehlers Smith

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Forest transformation has major impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Identifying the influence of forest habitat structure and composition on avian functional communities is important for conserving and managing forest systems. This study investigated the effect of forest structure and composition characteristics on bird species community structure, habitat use and functional diversity in 14 Mistbelt Forest patches of the Midlands of KwaZulu‐Natal in South Africa. We surveyed bird communities using point counts. We quantified bird functional diversity for each forest patch using three diversity indices: functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence. We further assessed species‐specific responses by focussing on three avian forest specialists, orange ground‐thrush Geokichla gurneyi, forest canary Crithagra scotops and Cape parrot Poicephalus robustus. We found that bird community and forest‐specialist species responses to forest structure and tree species diversity differed. Also, forest structural complexity, canopy cover and tree species richness were the main forest characteristics better at explaining microhabitat influence on bird functional diversity. Forest patches with relatively high structural complexity and tree species richness had higher functional richness. Different structural characteristics influenced habitat use by the three forest specialists. Tree species diversity influenced C. scotops and G. gurneyi positively, while P. robustus responded negatively to forest patches with high tree species richness. Our study showed that site‐scale forest structure and composition characteristics are important for bird species richness and functional richness. Forest patches with high tree species diversity and structural complexity should be maintained to conserve forest specialists, bird species richness and functional richness.

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“…The relationship between species, habitat heterogeneity and land use land cover is fundamental to understanding spatial ecology (Campos et al., 2023; Gumede et al., 2022). Habitat heterogeneity can change species ecology by increasing or decreasing species population size (Cooper et al., 2023) and altering the structure and composition of species‐feeding guilds (Basile et al., 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The spatio‐temporal influences of habitat heterogeneity on the community structure of avian feeding guilds in human‐dominated landscapes of the East African miombo woodlands

Kavana,

Mbije,

Sirilo

et al. 2023

Afr J Ecol

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Habitat heterogeneity plays a vital ecological role in influencing community ecology dynamics. We evaluated the relationship between habitat heterogeneity and land‐use cover with avian community structure in the human‐dominated landscape of the Katavi‐Rukwa ecosystem in Tanzania. We used the fixed‐radius point count method to record birds in different habitats. We calculated the relative abundances and the Shannon‐Wiener diversity index of bird guilds across habitats as well as the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and estimated land‐use cover of the study area from Landsat 8 images. We grouped birds into five major guilds: Insectivore, Granivore, Omnivore, Carnivore and Nectarivore. Among the guilds, Insectivores, Omnivores, Nectarivores and Carnivores were positively correlated with an increase in NDVI, while Granivores were negatively correlated with an increase in NDVI. Among the habitats, woodland had high species diversity whereas riverine had low species diversity. Our findings highlight the importance of habitat heterogeneity in biodiversity conservation in human‐dominated landscapes, and we suggest implementing conservation in these landscapes.

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The influence of forest characteristics on avian species richness and functional diversity in Southern Mistbelt Forests of South Africa

Cited by 5 publications

References 111 publications

Variations in Avian Species and Functional Diversity in Different Habitat Types in a Vulnerable Savannah Ecosystem in Ghana

Variations in Avian Species and Functional Diversity in Different Habitat Types in a Vulnerable Savannah Ecosystem in Ghana

Avian species functional diversity and habitat use: The role of forest structural attributes and tree diversity in the Midlands Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

The spatio‐temporal influences of habitat heterogeneity on the community structure of avian feeding guilds in human‐dominated landscapes of the East African miombo woodlands

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