Journal of Ecology and Natural Resources ISSN: 2578-4994 MEDWIN PUBLISHERS Committed to Create Value for researchers Comparative Study of Terrestrial Birds in the Disturbed and Undisturbed Vegetation Types of Ikere Forest Reserve, Ekiti State, Nigeria Ogunyemi OO* Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife management, Ekiti State University, Nigeria Review Article Volume 4 Issue 4 March 23, 2020 *Corresponding author: Ogunyemi OO, Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Received Date: management, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, Email: olumideogunyemi80@yahoo. Published Date: May 21, 2020 com DOI: 10.23880/jenr-16000201 Abstract Birds are an important component of earth's ecosystems. The primary objective of the study was to assess the effect of Forest Reserve from January to December, 2017. Data were collected by employing transect count technique in the early disturbance on bird species diversity and abundance in the two stratified habitat types (disturbed and undisturbed) of Ikere types. During the study, a total of 551 individual birds comprising of 59 species, 18 families and 11 Orders were recorded. morning (6.00- 10.00a.m) and late afternoon (4.00- 6.00 p.m) for four consecutive days every month in the two vegetation recorded in the undisturbed vegetation. Order Passeriformes constituted the numerically dominant Order represented with Out of 59 identified species of birds, 46 (78%) of the species were recorded from disturbed vegetation, while 30 species were 16 species while Pelecaniformes, Galliformes and Colliformes were the least dominant Orders represented with one species each. At the family level, family Nectariniidae was numerically the dominant family represented with 9 species. At species level, Rufous-backed manikin Louchura nigriceps and Great-white egret Egretta alba were numerically the most dominant species. The total abundance of birds was significantly different (P> 0.05) among the two vegetation types. The total abundance of birds ranked higher with 393 birds in the disturbed vegetation. The Shannon- Wiener index of diversity (H') varied from 3.08 that the different vegetation types supported. The results indicate that disturbed vegetation supported a higher diversity and in undisturbed vegetation to 3.61 in the disturbed vegetation. There were significant differences in the bird species richness abundance of birds than the undisturbed vegetation. Keywords: Species Diversity; Vegetation; Transect; Abundance Introduction The vegetation range of Nigeria has distinctive differences because it is such a large country, stretches from the beaches Nigeria has some of the most beautiful ecosystems which and mangrove swamps of the Gulf of Guinea through the remnants of the rainforest to the Savannas and thorn Scrub species are known to be breeding residents while a further of the north. These agro-ecological diversity and niches accommodates 850 species of resident birds of these 640 which have their own peculiarity in climatic conditions birds in Nigeria is associated with unique geological history, provides habitat for fascinating variety of birds. Birds group of 40 species are rare [1]. The biological diversity of are an important component of many ecosystems; such diverse climatic and physical conditions of the country [2]. Comparative Study of Terrestrial Birds in the Disturbed and Undisturbed Vegetation Types of Ikere J Ecol & Nat Resour Forest Reserve, Ekiti State, Nigeria 2 Journal of Ecology and Natural Resources that their study can alert us to what is going wrong in the environment, as birds are excellent environmental indicator theseason long has rainy an average season of between 240 days April with meanand mid-November annual rainfall isof 1250bimodal to 1400 with mm.a peak The in pattern September of rainfall while distribution the dry season over controls[3]. Tesfahunegny population [4] size described of harmful birds insects, as agents environmental of nutrient stretches from mid-November to the end of March. The cycles, plant gene flow through pollination, seed dispersal, opined that the probable cause of the avian decline are multi- elevation of between 12 to 110m above sea level. Light facetedsanitation and through involve variousscavenging complex of carrion. combinations Rands, of et obvious al. [5] Southterrain westerlyof the reserveand North is flat easterly to slightly winds undulating blow over with the ones such as habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation or area throughout the year which characterized the seasons loss, pollination and over harvesting. Tropical rainforest in the reserve into rainy and the dry season. The reserve is surrounded by villages and farm settlements inhabited by in the world. The natural resources of tropical rainforest the largely agrarian population that engages in small holder areaccommodates presently and the extensivelymost diverse being range utilized of flora for andeconomic fauna food and tree cash crop production systems with poor purpose. In Nigeria, deforestation has led to the loss of habitats of many biodiversity including forest birds which plant species. The dominant tree species include Dacroydes depend on a healthy forest ecosystem. The importance of edulisfarming, Chrysophyllum methods. The albidum study area, Afzelia has Africanaa diversified, Cola woodyedulis, forest ecosystem cannot be overemphasized as increase in Garcinia kola, Cola acuminate, Gmelina arborea, Pterocarpus osun, Gliricidia sepium, Parkia biglobosa, Mansonia altissima heterogeneity engenders increase in diversity of bird species and Baillaonella toxisperma. Also in certain area of study the complexity of vegetation structure, floristic composition and vegetation is characterized by secondary forests especially where the vegetation types is accentuated by farming The[6]. Anyalteration form of disturbance,in the habitat natural structure or artificial invariably destabilizes affect activities, where yam, cocoyam, cassava and maize are negativelyvegetation thestructure essential and requirements bird community of birds structureespecially [7].the grown as major crops. The major challenges in Ikere Forest Reserve leading to degradation of the environment are the expansion of farmland at the expense of forestland, extensive nestnest, abandonmentcover and food. at Humanthe same induced time increasedisturbance vulnerability can have toa significant predation. negative In recent effect years on the breeding interest success in conservation by causing of to ever increasing human population. Burning of vegetation birds had grown in many countries and regions emphasized coverlogging, has burning led to and frequent high growing destruction demand of thefor firefragile wood forest due the need for more studies of the ecological impact of ecosystem in the reserve. Several forest patches show sign that assessment of bird community is important and needed storey destroyed. In the some places, the vegetation have vegetation disturbance on bird species. Sethy [8] asserted beenof fire cut damage and burn with forsome farming trees badly posing scorched severe anddanger the underto the future of the unique fauna of the habitat. Logging activities onfor biodiversitymonitoring changes,and composition which will of birdlead communities’to efficient and as is also widespread in the reserve. Within this landscapes, aeffective function conservation of habitat variation of biodiversity. is crucial Having to determine knowledge the health status of the local ecosystem. In the recent times Ikere Forest Reserve vegetation community structure disruption ofstudy disturbance area was and stratified proximity into to two human main settlements. habitats named as has taken a higher trend due to high frequency of logging disturbed (D1) and undisturbed (D2) forests based on level activities as a result of high rate of human population growth. Survey of Avifauna It is therefore necessary to understand the effect of habitat disturbance on bird species community structure in order to The census method was used to survey the abundance know the effects of disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems and diversity of avifauna species of Ikere Forest Reserve, Ekiti State. The survey was conducted on monthly basis from future conservation of bird species in the reserve. January to December, 2017 in 12 plots of approximately on birds. This will definitely play a dominant role in prioritize Methodology disturbed and undisturbed habitats in Ikere Forest Reserve, 50 hectares (ha) in each of the two stratified habitat types: Description of the Study Area relative value of each habitat for attracting different bird speciesusing the was transect determined count method by establishment described by of Bibby one transect[9]. The The study was carried out in the 72.52km2 area of Ikere Forest Reserve in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The Ikere Forest were observed by walking along the established transects inof 1kilometereach of the (km)habitat length types in for each four of consecutivethe 12 plots. days The everybirds prevailing climate is tropical with an average temperature month. Data collection commenced about 30 minutes after ofReserve 250C all is locatedyear round between and high 70 321N relative and humidity. 50 211 431 The E. rainy The dawn and was carried out for five hours daily from 6:30- Ogunyemi OO. Comparative Study of Terrestrial Birds in the Disturbed and Undisturbed Copyright© Ogunyemi OO. Vegetation Types of Ikere Forest Reserve, Ekiti State, Nigeria. J Ecol & Nat Resour 2020, 4(4): 000201. 3