Species Composition, Relative Abundance and Distribution of Avian Fauna of Entoto Natural Park and Escarpment
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The present study was carried out to investigate avian species composition, relative
abundance and distribution in Entoto Natural Park and escarpment. It was
conducted from July 2009 to March 2010 during wet and dry seasons. The study
area was stratified based on vegetation. Four habitat types: forest, farmland,
church and eucalypts plantation were considered. Point count method was
employed for forest habitat and eucalypts plantation, line transect method was
employed for farmland and total count method was used for church areas. Data
were collected in the morning (6:30-10:00 a.m.) and late afternoon (3:30-6:00 p.m.)
T-test and ANOVA were applied for analysis of the effect of season and habitats on
abundance of species. A total of 124 avian species belonging to 14 orders and 44
families were identified in the study area during the wet and dry season surveys.
During the dry season, highest avian diversity was observed in farmland (H’=3.73)
followed by the forest (H’=2.92) whereas during the wet season highest avian
diversity was observed in forest (H’=3.98) followed by church areas (H’=3.25).
Highest number of species was recorded on farmland and forest during the dry and
wet seasons, respectively. Simpson’s Similarity Index showed the highest species
similarity between forest and farmland during both wet and dry seasons. The mean
abundance of species between habitats and seasons showed that between dry and
wet seasons, forest (t=0.137, P>0.05), farmland (t=-0.70, P>0.05) and church
(t=0.662, P> 0.05) did not show significant difference in the avian abundance.
However, season had an effect on the avian abundance in eucalypts plantation
(t=2.952, P<0.05). Eucalypts plantation, soil erosion, deforestation, habitat
fragmentation and land degradation were the main threats for avian in the study
area. Awareness creation, conservation, rehabilitation and active community
participation are essential for maintaining the habitats and avian fauna of the area.
Keywords/Phrases: Avian diversity, Entoto Natural Park and escarpment,
Species similarity
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Keywords
Avian diversity, Entoto Natural Park and escarpment, Species similarity