Vertical stratification of an avian community in New Guinean tropical rainforest

Abstract

Vertical stratification of avian communities has been studied in both temperate and tropical forests; however, the majority of studies used ground‐based methods. In this study we used ground‐to‐canopy mist nets to collect detailed data on vertical bird distribution in primary rain forest in Wanang Conservation Area in Papua New Guinea (Madang Province). In total 850 birds from 86 species were caught. Bird abundance was highest in the canopy followed by the understory and lowest in the midstory. Overall bird diversity increased towards the canopy zone. Insectivorous birds represented the most abundant and species‐rich trophic guild and their abundances decreased from the ground to canopy. The highest diversity of frugivorous and omnivorous birds was confined to higher vertical strata. Insectivorous birds did not show any pattern of diversity along the vertical gradient. Further, insectivores preferred strata with thick vegetation, while abundance and diversity of frugivores increased with decreasing foliage density. Our ground‐to‐canopy (0–27 m) mist netting, when compared to standard ground mist netting (0–3 m), greatly improved bird diversity assessment and revealed interesting patterns of avian community stratification along vertical forest strata.

Vertical stratification of bird community in Cikepuh Wildlife Reserve, West Java, Indonesia

“…The gradient of the graph describes the species evenness, while the length of the graph describes the species richness. Forest areas with gentler and longer graphs mean that species evenness in the forest was higher and there was no significant dominant species (Chmel et al 2016).…”

Birdwatching Potential Based on Distribution of Bird Diversity in Protected Forests RPH Sumbermanjing Kulon KPH Malang

“…Jenis burung tersebut merupakan jenis burung yang mencari makan di atas permukaan tanah karena merupakan jenis pemakan serangga. Hutan tropis memiliki biodiversitas yang tinggi sehingga mampu menyediakan sumberdaya pakan bagi berbagai jenis burung di dalamnya baik yang berada di tajuk atas maupun di tajuk bawah (Chmel et al 2016). Hutan yang masih alami memiliki keragaman jenis fauna tanah yang tinggi karena didukung dengan keragaman jenis vegetasi juga tinggi.…”

The elevated mist‐net frame: A robust and versatile manoeuvrable design for capturing upper strata birds

“…Several elevated mist‐net systems exist, each with specific limitations on production or operation (Bonter, Brooks, & Donovan, 2008; Humphrey, Bridge, & Lovejoy, 1968; Meyers & Pardieck, 1993). Technical hitches in developing and operating elevated mist‐nets need not discourage continued research into alternative or complementary designs (Chmel, Riegert, Paul, & Novotny, 2016; Derlindati & Caziani, 2005; Vecchi & Alves, 2015).…”

“…Elevated mist‐netting is operated by either vertical pole‐and‐pulley (Albanese & Piaskowski, 1999; Bonter et al., 2008; Meyers & Pardieck, 1993) or vertical/horizontal rope‐and‐pulley (Chmel et al., 2016; Humphrey et al., 1968; Whitaker, 1972) systems, including variants (Derlindati & Caziani, 2005; Meyers & Pardieck, 1993; Vecchi & Alves, 2015). Munn (1991) and Stoleson, Stoleson, Ordiway, Thomas, and Watts (2016) invented pole‐and‐pulley target‐net systems, with the former requiring substantial modification of standard mist‐nets, whereas net stability of the latter relies on steady guy tension.…”

“…Munn (1991) and Stoleson, Stoleson, Ordiway, Thomas, and Watts (2016) invented pole‐and‐pulley target‐net systems, with the former requiring substantial modification of standard mist‐nets, whereas net stability of the latter relies on steady guy tension. Rope‐and‐pulley systems effectively deploy nets at ~15–27 m height (Chmel et al., 2016; Derlindati & Caziani, 2005; Vecchi & Alves, 2015), whereas ground‐based telescopic‐pole systems maximum ~10 m (Albanese & Piaskowski, 1999; Bonter et al., 2008; Meyers & Pardieck, 1993). Stacking nets in complicated net‐rigs may increase capture efficiency, albeit not operability (Chmel et al., 2016; Vecchi & Alves, 2015; Whitaker, 1972).…”