SCIENCE FORUM (JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES) 21 (2021) 114 – 118 http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/sf.45159

Science Forum (Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences)

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Distribution of species within and around the Amurum Forest Reserve, Adams A. Chaskda1*, Samuel Ekanem2, Longtong G. Turshak1, Filibus D. Dami1 1A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria 2Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT ARTICLE INFO Monitoring the distribution of species across a landscape provides information on Article history: habitat occupancy and utilization. This study determined the distribution of thefive Received 15 January 2021 sunbird species (variable sunbird, scarlet-chested sunbird, green-headed sunbird, cop- Received in revised form per sunbird and pygmy sunbird) known to exist within the Amurum Forest Reserve. The 19 March 2021 distribution was determined both within and outside the Amurum Forest Reserve and Accepted 20 March 2021 across the habitat types in the area (gallery forest, savannah scrub, and rocky outcrop) Published 08 May 2021 and anthropogenic scales (roads, houses, and farmlands). The study was conducted Available online 08 May 2021 between September and October 2014 using presence and absence data. A total of 60 KEYWORDS sample points was selected using stratified random sampling. The presence or absence of the candidate bird species was determined across all points after two visits. The study Distribution revealed the variable sunbird, venustus, as the most widely distributed of the Sunbird five sunbird species; this sunbird species also occurred across all habitat types equally Anthropogenic disturbance Amurum Forest Reserve as compared to the scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis, which was more skewed in distribution toward the rocky outcrop areas of the reserve. The also appeared to utilize areas of anthropogenic disturbance when outside the reserve perhaps due to the presence of several green areas outside of the reserve. The uneven distribution of the bird species across the landscape could be a result of niche partitioning to avoid competition. Also, the lack of presence of the other sunbird species throughout the period of study was linked to their migratory behavior as reported in some literature studies. This study re-emphasizes the importance of the Amurum Forest Reserve as a good refuge for in the area.

1. Introduction could lead to birds adjusting their distribution across The distribution of bird species across the landscape is the2007 landscape). Any alteration often with of low the thresholds physical around environment areas often shaped by several environmental factors. These of disturbance ( ; Shahabuddin environmental factors include vegetation structure, ). For example, when anthropogenic food availability, suitable breeding areas, predation risk, effects persist, birdCanterbury species presence et al., 2000 in a habitat could and human activities such as farming and infrastruc- beand altered Kumar, ( 2007 ). Thus, habitat tural development ( ; Ndang'ang'a et changes are easily detected by monitoring bird com- ; ; Shahabuddin and Kumar, munities ( Winarni and Jones, 2011). Hence, birds are Banko et al., 2002 al., 2013 Rottenbery, 1985 * Corresponding author Adams A. Chaskda [email protected] DepartmentCanterbury of Zoology, et A.P. al., Leventis 2000 Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.

© 2021 Faculty of Science, ATBU Bauchi. All rights reserved A. A. Chaskda et al. / Science Forum (Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences) 21 (2021) 114 – 118 115 regarded as one of the major indicators of habitat - quality ( ; ). ′ ′ E