Does the use of exotic and native tree species in rehabilitation attract birds equally? The case of Golden Pride Gold Mine, Tanzania

Abstract

AbstractIn mining areas, habitat rehabilitation is increasingly being used to minimise biodiversity loss and restore areas of natural habitat. In some mining areas, both exotic and native tree species are used in rehabilitation. For the most part, the effectiveness of using both native and exotic plant species in rehabilitation to attract avifauna is not known. Using a fixed‐radius point‐count method to sample birds, this study assessed the extent to which sites rehabilitated with exotic plant species attracted local avifauna compared to sites rehabilitated with native plant species, as well as to the unaffected surrounding woodlands. Rehabilitation dominated by exotic species had a lower density of bird species and individuals, lower relative abundance and lower species diversity compared with sites rehabilitated by native plant species and the surrounding woodlands. The results suggest that the use of exotic plant species, L. leucocephala, should be avoided in rehabilitation. Therefore, for restoration purposes it is desirable to use native tree species in rehabilitation rather than exotic tree species.