The relative influence of habitat modification on bird assemblage in the university's domain of Notre Dame du Kasaï in Kananga, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

The study was conducted at the University of Notre Dame du Kasaï from 2019 to 2021, combined with observation and photography. The aim was to understand the characteristics of avifauna and the composition and diversity of species in this environment. the results of the study indicate that there are 72 species of birds representing 35 families and 12 orders. The order Passeriformes alone contains 50 or 69.4% of species and 22 or 62.9% of families. The order Accipitriformes has a single-family and four species. The other charges include one to two families with often a single species. Over time, the avian fauna of this university site has undergone many changes in its composition and diversity. The installation of the artificial eucalyptus forest associated with the various consecutive changes in habitats seems to be the main factor that modulates these characteristics. Indeed, most of the reputed forest species were observed from 2019 to 2021, coinciding with this forest's maximum vegetation cover. However, information gathered on the IUCN website reveals that the protection status of all these species comma on the common concern (LC).