Bird Species Abundance and Their Correlationship with Microclimate and Habitat Variables at Natural Wetland Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Birds are the most conspicuous and significant component of freshwater wetland ecosystem. Presence or absence of birds may indicate the ecological conditions of the wetland area. The objectives of this study were to determine bird species abundance and their relationship with microclimate and habitat variables. Distance sampling point count method was applied for determining species abundance and multiple regressions was used for finding relationship between bird species abundance, microclimate and habitat variables. Bird species were monitored during November, 2007 to January, 2009. A total of 8728 individual birds comprising 89 species and 38 families were detected. Marsh Swamp was swarmed by 84 species (69.8%) followed open water body by 55 species (17.7%) and lotus swamp by 57 species (12.6%). Purple swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio (9.1% of all detections) was the most abundant bird species of marsh swamp, lesser whistling duck-Dendrocygna javanica (2.3%) was dominant species of open water body and pink-necked green pigeon-Treron vernans (1.7%) was most common species of lotus swamp. Results revealed that the habitat characteristics such as vegetation composition (i.e. emergent and submerged vegetations, grasses, shrubs, and trees), vegetation structures (tree diameter and height) and microclimate variables (temperature, relative humidity and light intensity) were the key factors that influenced the distribution, diversity and density of the wetland bird species. This study also revealed that the wetland bird species have adapted a fairly unique set of microhabitat and microclimate conditions.

Identification of meteorological factors affecting migration of wild birds into miyazaki and its relation to circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

“…The climate of Miyazaki is finer, and less cloudy. Sunshine affects migration and distribution of wild birds [26–28], and plant growth [27]. Birds often gather in sunny areas such as Qinghai Lake [29] and search for areas with abundant plants.…”

Kemapanan Burung Bentet Kelabu (Lanius schach) Asal Yogyakarta di Pulau Salibabu / The Establishment of Gray Bentet Bird (Lanius schach) from Yogyakarta in Salibabu Island

“…Partasasmita et al (2009) mengatakan bahwa tipe habitat yang sedang dalam proses suksesi vegetasi memiliki perubahan kekayaan spesies dan jumlah individunya sebagai dampak dari perubahan komposisi dan struktur vegetasi yang ditempatinya. Komposisi vegetasi (tumbuhan di lahan berair, rumput, semak belukar, dan pohon) dan iklim mikro (temperatur, kelembaban relatif, intensitas cahaya) adalah faktor kunci yang mempengaruhi distribusi, keanekaragaman, dan kepadatan spesies burung (Rejpar dan Zakaria, 2011). Selain itu juga dapat disebabkan karena burung mencari tempat dengan vegetasi semak atau tegakan yang lebih padat dan beragam yang mengarah pada vegetasi hutan.…”

Keanekaragaman serangga dan struktur vegetasi pada habitat burung insektivora Lanius schach Linn. di Tanjungsari, Yogyakarta

“…Adanya perbedaan kemampuan reproduksi, penyebaran, dan daya adaptasi terhadap lingkungan menjadi penyebab berbedanya nilai kerapatan dari masing-masing jenis dan golongan vegetasi (Arrijani et al 2006). Rejpar & Zakaria (2011) mengatakan bahwa karakter habitat, seperti komposisi vegetasi (tumbuhan di lahan berair, rumput, semak belukar, dan pohon) dan iklim mikro (temperatur, kelembaban relatif, intensitas cahaya) adalah faktor kunci yang mempengaruhi distribusi, keanekaragaman, dan kepadatan spesies burung.…”