BIRD DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION IN THREE LAND-USE TYPES IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The increase in habitat destruction due to anthropogenic activities necessitates the study of bird species diversity and distribution for the purpose of conservation of wild bird species. This study was conducted on three selected sites (agricultural site, forested site, and developed site) in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, using the line transect method. Eighteen bird species belonging to 7 orders and 10 families were recorded during the study. The highest mean number of birds was recorded in the developed site (7.17±0.77) followed by agricultural site (6.83±1.01) and forested sites (4.33±0.80). The developed site also recorded the least bird diversity index and species richness (H’= 1.82, r=2.13) compared to the forested site (H’= 2.09, r=2.46) and the agricultural site (H’= 2.34, r=3.32). The highest Simpson index of birds dominance (D=0.15) was recorded in developed site compared to the forested site (D=0.14) and agricultural site (D=0.12).The agricultural site recorded the least evenness (E=0.48) compared to the agricultural site (E=0.63) and forested site (E=0.64). The highest number of carnivorous and insectivorous bird species was recorded in the forest, while no granivore was recorded in the forest. The agricultural site recorded the highest number of granivore while the major birds recorded in the developed site were granivores and carnivores. The study showed that while some birds were well adapted to habitat modification, others were drastically affected by the change in their natural environment. It was therefore recommended that regular monitoring of various sites be conducted to check changes in the state of the environment for conservation.

Keywords

• Conversation
• habitat destruction
• land-use type
• species diversity
• transect method