Effects of anthropogenic disturbance on a Victoria crowned pigeon Goura victoria population in northern Papua, Indonesia

Abstract

Most lowland tropical forests are global biodiversity hotspots, known for their high species diversity and endemism. However, conservation of these areas is challenging because of increasing human threats, including selective logging, large-scale plantation, and wildlife hunting. We conducted line transect surveys to investigate the effects of human disturbance on the population of Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria) in the lowland forest of northern Papua, Indonesia. Estimated densities of G. victoria were highest in secondary forest with 7.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7-16.1] birds km-2 and in natural forest habitat with 6.9 (95% CI: 3.2-14.7) birds km-2 but much lower in logged forest with 2.3 (95% CI: 0.8-6.8) birds km-2. At transect level, there were positive correlations of encounter rates of G. victoria with canopy cover, fruiting trees, and distance to village and negative ones with ground cover, understory layer, logging debris, and wildlife traps. The results suggest that G. victoria is tolerant to moderate disturbance but suffers from severe disturbance. To protect crowned pigeons and other endemic Papuan fauna, impacts of logging and wildlife hunting must be reduced through law enforcement and integrated forest management strategies with proper involvement of all stakeholders, especially local people.