Species Composition and Relative Abundance of Birds at Arbegona, Geremba Mountain Fragment Forest, Southern Ethiopia

Ziyad Jemal Husein

doi:10.7176/alst/71-01

Abstract

Ethiopia is rich in biodiversity resources. Birds are one of the components of biodiversity. The status of birds in the present study areas is very little known. The objective of the study was to assess species composition and relative abundance of birds at geremba mountain fragment in southern Ethiopia. A stratified random sampling technique was employed. Accordingly, to collect data for the study, the whole habitat of the study area was each divided into dominant vegetation types. Consequently, Modified habitat, Alpine bamboo forest, and Sub-Afro alpine /Ericaceous belt were identified in geremba mountain fragment. A line transects count aided by binocular was employed to investigate avian species diversity, relative abundance and habitat association. Thus, 10 transect lines of 0.75km with a width of 0.15km or less was used to cover 30% of the area in geremba mountain fragment. Quantitative Biodiversity indices such as H’,E ,γ and α to measure species richness were used to calculate the bird species diversity and two way- ANOVA was used to test for significant variation in species richness and abundance per season among habitats. A total of 74 bird species consisting of 5 near endemics, 2 globally threatened and 3 Palearctic migrants were recorded in geremba mountain fragment. Species richness and abundance varied between the three habitats in geremba mountain fragment. There was significant difference in species richness among habitats in geremba mountain fragment (F2, 11=54.932 P=0.000) at 0.001 significance level. In geremba mountain fragment the highest Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’ = 3.78) was recorded from the modified habitat while the lowest from the Sub Afro -alpine habitat (H’ = 1.84). It can be concluded that the area has high species diversity good potential for bird watching tourism that can integrate economic gain with biodiversity conservation. Hence, urgent conservation measures and further detail research is recommended to conserve the bird species. Keywords/Phrases : Avian species, Habitat types, Species richness, Species similarity DOI : 10.7176/ALST/71-01

Highlights

Ethiopia has diverse ecosystem ranging from humid forest and extensive wetlands in the west and southwest to the desert of Afar depression in the northeast
Geremba mountain fragment was the specific site where the present study was conducted.The area is found in Arbegona district in Sidama Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Regional state of Ethiopia (Fig.1)
The Geremba mountain fragment was stratified into three habitat types [modified habitat at the lower, Alpine bamboo forest at the middle and Sub Afro-alpine habitat (Ericaceous belt)]at the higher altitude following vegetation type and altitudinal gradient

Summary

Introduction

Ethiopia has diverse ecosystem ranging from humid forest and extensive wetlands in the west and southwest to the desert of Afar depression in the northeast. The country’s flora and fauna are scattered from the highest mountain peaks over 4000 m asl to one of the lowest and hottest places on earth in Dallol depression, 116 m below sea level (Ethiopian Mapping Authority, 1988). This has helped to contribute for the existence of various forms of life in Ethiopia. Out of the threated bird species of the country, two species are critically endangered, five species endangered, and 12 species vulnerable (Collar et al, 1994). In Ethiopia, 73 hot spots have been identified as Important Bird. Birds through the ages have been the source of considerable fascination and folklore and have been used as symbols (Clout and Hay, 1989)

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