Forest Fragmentation and the Ibadan Malimbe 32
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32 Forest fragmentation and the Ibadan malimbe The Ibadan malimbe is a globally distance between the two most Contact: endangered but poorly known distant occupied sites was just [email protected] forest weaver (a sparrow-like bird), 110 km. endemic to a small region of south-western Nigeria. The main factor determining the Manu SA (2001) Possible factors numbers of Ibadan malimbes in influencing the decline of Nigeria's The Ibadan malimbe was first forest patches was the local extent rarest endemic bird, the Ibadan recognised as a separate species in of forest fragmentation, with malimbe. Ostrich Supplement 1958. A handful of sightings were relatively isolated patches supporting 15: 119–121. reported during the 1960s and 1970s fewer birds. Counts of Ibadan all within 100 miles of the city of malimbes were unrelated to the area Manu SA (2002) Effects of habitat Ibadan, but a dearth of subsequent or vegetation composition of forest fragmentation on the distribution of records suggested that numbers patches. None of four commoner forest birds in south western might have declined. The widespread malimbe species were sensitive to Nigeria, with particular reference to clearance of forest for subsistence forest fragmentation. Ibadan malimbe and other malimbes. agriculture was a possible cause of D Phil thesis, University of Oxford. the apparent disappearance of Although it was encouraging to find this species. the Ibadan malimbe at 19 sites, the Manu S, Peach W and Cresswell W small range and continuing human (2005) Notes on the natural history In 1999, the RSPB funded Shiiwua pressure on remaining forest of the Ibadan malimbe, a threatened Manu to carry out a three-year study fragments make the outlook for this Nigerian endemic. Malimbus 27: of Nigerian malimbes for his species far from secure. 33–39. doctorate based at the Edward Grey Institute, Oxford University. Manu, an experienced ornithologist, worked for the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (BirdLife Partner in Nigeria). Abundance of Ibadan malimbes in relation to the fragmentation of One of the main objectives of forest patches. Manu’s work was to conduct a survey of Ibadan malimbes and to identify factors influencing their 6 distribution. Bird surveys were 5 conducted in nearly all remaining forest patches within the historical 4 range, along with detailed 3 descriptions of habitat composition 2 and structure. Maximum count 1 Ibadan malimbes were recorded at 19 of the 52 sites surveyed, although 0 these were clustered into an area 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99 1.00 approximately one-third the size of Degree of isolation the presumed historical range. The (Proportion of unforested area within 15 km) 33 The current and historic distribution of Ibadan malimbe. Dark green filled shapes show sites visited during this study where Ibadan malimbes were recorded, unfilled shapes where they were not: an unbroken line encloses the minimum current range. A dashed line encloses the minimum historical range. Pale green filled circles show the locations of cities and towns. NIGERIA Iwo Ibadan Abeokuta Shaguma 50 km Chris Bowden Manu S, Peach W, Bowden C and Cresswell W (in press) The effects of forest fragmentation on the population density and distribution of the globally endangered Ibadan malimbe. Bird Conservation International. Shiiwua Manu with a nest of a blue-billed malimbe..