Noise pollution effect on composition of avian structure in different urban gradients

Abstract

Extreme urbanization producing high noise level reduces species richness across different taxa. The present study is an effort to document the noise level of two urban educational campuses of Bhubaneswar and its effect on avifaunal composition. Point count sampling method was found to be most suitable. Around 49 species of birds including 6 migratory belonging to 9 orders and 28 families were recorded. Campus 1 was recorded higher noise level than campus 2. The higher bird species richness and abundance in Campus 2 predicts that the urban environment with green space provides a better habitat for birds due to more structured vegetation cover as well as less noise level. Noise level found to be negatively correlated with bird richness and abundance, which explaining, higher the noise level, lower the bird richness. This knowledge can help the city planners to select suitable place for making green spaces and sustainable habitat for the birds.