Recovery of Bird Assemblages After Construction; Case Study in Puah Catchment, Hulu Terengganu

Abstract

Hydroelectric dam have since empowering Malaysia’s development since 1900 Sempam Hydroelectric dam were built in Raub. However, its detrimental effect were well documented in degrading and modifying forest habitat. The objective for present study is to determine the recolonization of bird’s species after the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Peninsular Malaysia. Study of bird species number and composition were done using both mist-net and observation method for three period of research; pre-log, construction and operational. The result of this study show that the species number is declining from 275 species in Pre-Log phase to 67 species in Construction phase. Bird species number increases in Operational phase with 102 species. Different composition of bird species on each phases indicate that bird present on each phase are suited to that particular condition. The re-emergence of pre-log species and wintering bird during operational phase show the recovery process after habitat degradation during construction phase. New species were also found during operational phases indicates that the habitat have been modified to fit the requirements of different bird. It is expected that the species number will continue to climb as the forest recover and habitat become more stable.